Updated

Updated · NBC Sports · Jun 13

UFL Sees 80% Chance of Keeping 8 Markets for 2027 as Birmingham Attendance Falls 16%

Updated

Updated · NBC Sports · Jun 13

UFL Sees 80% Chance of Keeping 8 Markets for 2027 as Birmingham Attendance Falls 16%

Q: As one city's UFL team falters, which of the potential new markets will be next to join?

Oklahoma City is the next market confirmed to join the UFL, with entry planned for 2028. That is the only future addition the league has publicly locked in. Mike Repole said there is still an “80 percent chance” the current eight markets stay in place for 2027, even as Birmingham has emerged as the most vulnerable city because of weak attendance, including a Week 7 crowd of just 4,700 and a season-over-season drop of 16 percent. Beyond Oklahoma City, the league has not named another definite expansion or relocation destination. Repole has identified a wider pool of candidates for future consideration: New England, Austin, Raleigh, Queens in New York, New Mexico, either Greenville or Charleston in South Carolina, Utah, and Boise. So if Birmingham’s team is moved, the replacement city is not yet known publicly. The clearest answer from the league’s current plans is Oklahoma City as the next confirmed new market, while any market that might replace Birmingham remains undecided.

2 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Jun 13

Mike Repole said Friday there is an 80% chance the UFL keeps its current eight markets unchanged for 2027, signaling fewer relocations after last year's reshuffle.
Three teams were moved after the 2025 season—Detroit, Memphis and San Antonio gave way to Columbus, Orlando and Louisville—while Oklahoma City is already set to join as an expansion market in 2028.
Birmingham appears most vulnerable despite the stability message: attendance fell 16% in 2026, and only about 4,700 fans showed up for a Week 7 game.
Repole also floated future options including New England, Austin, Raleigh, Queens and Utah, underscoring that the league is still testing where it can grow.
The 2026 season ends with Saturday's United Bowl, but the league still faces a core scheduling problem as Fox will air a World Cup match at the same time.