A United Football League team will reportedly relocate to Kentucky

Jun 14, 2025; St. Louis, MO, USA; DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris raises the UFL Championship trophy after defeating the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship at The Dome at America’s Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

It sounds like professional football is coming back to the Bluegrass State.

According to James Larsen of Pro Football Newsroom, four United Football League (UFL) markets plan to relocate their teams for the 2026 season: the Michigan Panthers, the Houston Roughnecks, the Birmingham Stallions, and the Memphis Showboats. Larsen says three of those markets will move to Boise (ID), Columbus (OH), and Orlando/Tampa Bay (FL), with the fourth and final market expected to be shared between the cities of Lexington and Louisville.

The UFL, which was founded in 2023 following the merging of the XFL and USFL, currently consists of only eight teams, the four relocating teams all making up the USFL Conference. The other four teams in the league include the Arlington Renegades (currently coached by Mark Stoops‘ brother, Bob Stoops), DC Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas, and St. Louis Battlehawks as members of the XFL Conference.

SOURCES: The four new #UFL markets will be Boise (Idaho), Columbus (Ohio), Florida (likely Orlando), and Kentucky (Louisville/Lexington).

Blockbuster moves to be announced by the league over the coming weeks. https://t.co/u38LXejSEx
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) July 23, 2025

Larsen reports that the UFL is not in good financial shape right now. The 2025 season, the second of its existence, saw drops in attendance and TV ratings among most markets, particularly with the four that are being relocated, which resulted in mass layoffs and firings. This is a significant move for a league that desperately needs a shot in the arm. An official announcement from the UFL could come as soon as Wednesday.

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Lexington is no stranger to being the home of a professional football team, although it’s been a while. The Lexington Horsemen was an indoor football team that was founded in 2002 and played in three different leagues (NIFL, UIF, and AF2) before folding in 2009. Home games were played inside Rupp Arena, and I have memories of watching Jared Lorenzen suit up and sling around the pigskin.

But UFL has mostly played its games in larger venues than Rupp. Lexington’s downtown basketball arena might not be the preferred host site. Having the relocated team potentially split between Lexington and Louisville is even more interesting — where would most home games be played and at what field/stadium? Kroger Field is likely the best option in Lexington, or would they downsize and look to set up shop at one of Lexington and Louisville’s new soccer stadiums?

The first two UFL seasons have run from March through June.