The United Football League announced on Thursday that Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will be home to a new expansion team that will begin play at the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in 2028. The new stadium will have a seating capacity of 10,000 fans and will also be home to the USL Championship soccer team called the OKC Energy FC.
“Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision,” said UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole. “This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and truly understands the game. From college powerhouses to Friday night lights, football runs deep here. We’re committed to building a franchise in OKC that the entire state can rally behind.”
The last time that Oklahoma had a professional football team to call home was the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in 1984, and they were coached by Woody Widenhofer. They played their games at Skelly Stadium (home of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes) and went 6-12 for the season.
Among the players that played for the Outlaws was future Super Bowl XXII quarterback Doug Williams, along with other players like Mel Gray, Bob Nelson, Rick Johnson, Mel Tucker, Ron Wheeler, and Curtis Anderson.
“Oklahoma City welcomes the UFL to our championship city!” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “We love sports, and we love football, so we think this should be a great fit. We have always said that the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium opens up new opportunities for our city, and this is a perfect example. We look forward to the UFL’s arrival in 2028!”
In addition to OKC Energy FC, Oklahoma City has other teams that call home, led by the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Pacific Coast League’s Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers), and the Crusaders of Oklahoma Rugby Football Club of USA Rugby. Oklahoma City also hosts the annual NCAA Women’s College World Series. In 2028, Oklahoma City will host canoe slalom and softball events for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“Oklahoma City has long been one of the most glaring vacancies on the professional football map,” said UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon. “The combination of a new stadium, deep-rooted football culture, and a city that has proven its ability to support major league sports makes this an easy decision. We are thrilled to bring the UFL’s brand of high-octane spring football to the passionate fans of Oklahoma.”
