The Big Lead

UFL could look entirely different in 2026 as league undergoes massive changes

The UFL hasn't had the success it hoped for after its USFL-XFL merger, and now the league is looking to regroup in order to survive.

By Matt Reed

Michigan Panthers running back Toa Taua runs the ball against the Birmingham Stallions during the USFL football championship
Michigan Panthers running back Toa Taua runs the ball against the Birmingham Stallions during the USFL football championship / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Despite lots of attention during its massive merger between the XFL and USFL, the UFL hasn't lived up to expectations in its first few seasons and now the league has massive changes planned in order to simply survive for another year.

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According to James Larsen of PFN, the league could be abandoning four majors markets in 2026, including Michigan, Houston, Birmingham and Memphis with the intention of relocating teams in the future.

With the reported relocations in play, that would only leave four pre-existing markets left for the league, including Arlington, San Antonio, St. Louis and Washington D.C.

However, according to Larsen, the league could be aiming to make even more "major changes" in the near future as the UFL simply tries to find ways to continue operations next season despite all of its investments and involvement from celebrities like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

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