UFL: Columbus is in, Detroit, Memphis and San Antonio are out.
UFL Undergoes Major Market Shake-Up Ahead of 2026 Season
The United Football League (UFL) is undergoing a significant transformation as it prepares for the 2026 season. In a bold move aimed at reshaping its identity and improving the in-game experience, the UFL will exit three existing markets—Detroit, Memphis, and San Antonio—and relocate franchises to smaller, more intimate venues. The decision marks a pivotal shift in the league’s operational strategy and underscores its focus on sustainability and fan engagement over raw attendance figures.
Big Stadiums, Small Crowds: The Attendance Dilemma
While San Antonio was one of the UFL’s stronger markets in terms of attendance, averaging around 11,000 fans per game, its massive home venue—the 64,000-seat Alamodome—proved to be a problem for optics. The sight of tens of thousands of empty seats on national broadcasts made the product appear less successful than it actually was. In Memphis, the challenge was even steeper. The franchise there averaged roughly 4,000 fans per game in a 58,000-seat stadium, while Detroit’s UFL team drew an average of 11,700 in a 65,000-seat facility.
Ironically, the Detroit franchise showed progress in 2025, improving attendance by nearly 30 percent from the previous year. However, that wasn’t enough to overcome the league’s new philosophy. The UFL stated that “the available venues in these areas do not align with the new vision of focusing on smaller, more intimate settings that elevate the fan experience.”
Smaller Markets, Bigger Vision for UFL
The UFL’s next phase will prioritize cities that provide both community enthusiasm and appropriately sized facilities. One of the first new homes confirmed for 2026 is Columbus, Ohio, where the team will play at the city’s modern soccer stadium, which seats just over 20,000. The move to Columbus signals the league’s intent to establish itself in mid-sized markets that offer less competition for sports fans and sponsors.
As a developmental league, the UFL understands that filling smaller venues creates better visuals, stronger fan connections, and a more authentic game-day atmosphere. However, challenges remain. With the 2026 season approaching, the league still has three open markets to fill, and time is running short to build local buzz, sell tickets, and secure corporate partnerships.
Looking Ahead
Despite the current shake-up, the UFL isn’t closing the door on its former cities. League officials have hinted at a potential return to Detroit, Memphis, and San Antonio in 2028 if suitable smaller venues become available. For now, the focus is clear: build excitement, right-size the product, and strengthen the league’s foundation for long-term success.
Jason Robertson has been named the HockeyStickFittings.com Sniper of the Month for November 2025
Jason Robertson has been named the HockeyStickFittings.com Sniper of the Month for November 2025. With a balanced 13-goal and 13-assist month, Jason inflicted nonstop damage onto Dallas’ opponents. The 6’3” left-shot winger mixed soft-ice timing with a punishing catch-and-release from the circles, driving the Stars’ attack and reminding everyone why he’s among the league’s top goal scoring talent.
The defining stretch landed mid-month: three consecutive multi-goal games on November 13, 15, and 18, highlighted by a hat trick on November 15 in a 5–1 win over Philadelphia. On the power play he works the bumper position slipping into soft seams between the dots where his quick set, strong top hand through contact, and deceptive, heavy release beat goalies before they’re set.
A second-round pick (39th overall) by Dallas in 2017, Robertson was born in Arcadia, California and developed stateside before moving to Canada to play most of his junior hockey with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. He broke out as a franchise scorer with a 100-point season in 2022–23 and has since evolved into Dallas’s centerpiece shooter.
His weapon of choice? The CCM Tacks XF Ghost (approx. 380 grams), a mid-kick build designed for full-shaft loading and controlled power. With a pro-stiff blade and modern carbon layup, it’s built less for whippy snapshots and more for heavy, one-touch strikes—the perfect match for Robertson’s lean-and-rip mechanics and quick release from the bumper and high slot.
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The fact that the Buccaneers still had hope at the end of the game what’s a potential Baker Mayfield game-winning Drive was more of an indictment of the team they were playing against then a reflection of how well Tampa Bay had played.
They were down 24-20 against the 2-10 (now 3-10, not to spoil the ending) New Orleans Saints, with under two minutes left and no timeouts.
Instead of continuing the heroics that have saved this team from embarrassment all season, the Buccaneer offense went away with a thud as they turned it over on downs for the fifth time Sunday afternoon to end their miserable effort against one of the worst teams in football.
It was an ugly game with the weather matching the mood, as both teams committed silly turnovers, with both quarterbacks throwing an interception, and both defenses looked out of their depth at times.
SirVocea Dennis had several plays where he looked absolutely lost including a key third down conversion where Saints receiver Chris Olave managed to pick up a first down in the fourth quarter to continue a key Saints drive that led to a field goal.
The pass rush managed to get after Saints rookie QB, Tyler Shough, with 3 sacks, yet they failed to prevent disaster at the end of the game with the Saints managing to score an ultimately game winning touchdown on a play where Bucs defenders missed at least 2 chances at bringing down the QB.
There is still a road to Tampa Bay winning this horrendous division, as there always is when the opposing teams are as bad as they are in the NFC south.
Yet Sunday’s game was as deflated as it gets, and it calls into question why it even matters if the Buccaneers make the playoffs or not, as the chances of them winning a game against a playoff caliber team are slim to none.
Head coach Todd Bowles has preached the need for the defense to improve their tackling yet no changes have come to fruition.
The offense looked as lifeless as it’s ever been as even without starting left tackle Tristan Wirfs, a two touchdown performance is not going to cut it against one of the league’s worst defenses.
Now, it’s just a battle of who can suck the least between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers, as Carolina was on a Bye week and now the teams are tied for the top of the division.
If the Buccaneers want to take home yet another NFC South crown they will have to be Carolina at least once which at this point seems like an unlikely proposition.
Their next game takes place Thursday night at Raymond James versus the Atlanta Falcons.
It is indeed a Bucs Life, and things look bleak for the Buccaneers.
Capital Sports Network will be your home for Let ’em Run Happy Hour
Let ’em Run is breaking down races at some new venues, and we will continue to expand our horizons with a variety of tracks, as we listen to what our viewers and readers have to say.
We are breaking down interesting races at Laurel Park and Turfway Park (a little nighttime action) that will be run on Saturday. Then we turn our attention to Aqueduct on Saturday, where there is The Remsen Gr2, a Kentucky Derby prep, and the signature race…The Cigar Mile.
Saturday Roundup Reminder
Be sure to tune into the Saturday “Let ’em Run Roundup” at 12:30 where we will bring even more insight after any scratches and other changes. So catch us this weekend on multiple streaming apps and social channels!!
Race 6 — 2:23 EST — The Maryland Juvenile — 125K — 7 Furlongs (Dirt) Some talented 2 y.o.’s line up for this race, at the always tricky distance for young runners at 7 furlongs. I am going to lean on #3 Sometime 9-2. Was ambitiously placed in the Iroquois against some of the best milers in the division. Breeding out of Take Charge Indy, who came in 1st at The Florida Derby and The Clark Handicap, so the talent is there. The #4 Biker Bailey 4-1 came out of a Md 20k, but took over the field and posted a 70 BSF. Could go to the front and not look back. Bet = $10 Ex Box 3,4 = $20
Saturday 12/6 — Turfway Park
Race 7 — 8:55 EST — The Boone County — 125K — 1 ¼ (Synthetic) Big field to choose from gives us plenty of options and value to boot. Jockey Fernando De La Cruz hops aboard #10 Swift Delivery 5-1, 1 of 2 Mark Casse entrants. A failed turf experiment, in between two Gr3 races on synthetic, make this horse the one to beat. Tough post, but De La Cruz can work out a trip and close on the field. The #1 Funtastic Again 5-1, is the horse for course and surface. Has ran in a steady diet of 6 Graded races last 6x, and now gets relief and a good post to go to the front. Jockey Gerado Corrales is very familiar with this runner.
Saturday 12/6 — Aqueduct (Races 7–11)
Race 7 — 2:11 EST — Alw 88K N1X — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Nice start to the late P5 for Let ’em Run, with a big field of 12 runners. Hard to look past #6 Life and Times 8-5. As a student of pace figures, this runner has an early pace figure of 142!! Out of Justify, and 2nd time out runners for that sire often improve…scary. Likely to have some company up front, but just too fast. Bet = P5 = 6 / All / All / 6 / 2 = $78 (based on current entries)
Race 8 — 2:39 EST — The NY Stallion Series — 500K (Fillies) — 7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Another full field of 2 y.o. fillies running at 7 furlongs. Going with #12 Daniella Marie 6-1, the entry for the “other Chad”… trainer Chad Summers, who is heating up and excellent with 2.y.o’s. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche stays on, and never really asked her in last, when she won by 9 ¼ lengths. Likely post time fave #10 Hot Currency 7-2, looking to improve with stud jockey Flavian Prat retaining the mount.
Race 9 — 3:08 EST — The Remsen Gr2 — 250K — 1 ⅛ (Dirt)
Kentucky Derby prep race, with 12 runners ready to go. The #11 Talkin 5-1 for trainer Danny Gargan is my top choice. Gargan is looking to hit the Derby trail again with a good one here, out of top Sire Good Magic. Runner beat Further Ado in Maiden, and that runner is labeled as a Derby favorite, so why not this guy. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche has options from a tough post, with interesting Brisnet early and late pace figures both high, and nearly the same (early 106 / late 102). Once again the Flavian Prat runner #2 Paladin 3-1 will get much deserved attention.
Race 10 — 3:37 EST — The Cigar Mile Gr2 — 500K — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Really can’t see anyone beating the fast and talented #6 Phileas Fogg 8-5. Two new wrinkles; with blinkers going on and jockey Joel Rosario taking the mount. Trainer Rodriguez Gustavo gave him a break pointing to this race, and said “it’s showtime“; when asked how he was doing!!
Two notes per Brisnet, lone E speed, and best pace to the 6 furlong distance, by a lot. So should have company early, but will then pull away to the wire.
Race 11 — The NY Stallion Series — 500K — 7 Furlongs
Once again the Big A putting out a big field for bettors. Trainer Butch Reid has #2 Parker Boone 8-5 ready to make some noise. Runner won by 12 ¼ 1st time out and was under wraps early. Naysayers will say “who did he beat”, but runners out of Solomini are often very good, very early. Will have other speed to deal with, but a ground saving post should seal the deal.
Final Notes
Stay tuned as we continue to grow, and tune in on Saturday for our 12:30 Podcast, with scratches and changes affecting our picks. And as the saying goes, Let ‘em Run.