United Football League Picks Pawtucket. College Football led the way with Brown–Harvard and URI

UFL Enters Next Phase of Growth: Rhode Island one of four new markets

The United Football League announced the addition of four new markets over the next two years as the league continues its next phase of growth, with Rhode Island and Colorado set to begin play in 2027 and Utah and Oklahoma joining the league in 2028 as the UFL expands to 10 teams.

The four new markets expand the league’s geographic footprint and will bring UFL football to distinctive venues across the country, with Colorado playing at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Utah at America First Field in Sandy, and Oklahoma at the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in Oklahoma City.

From the official announcement: Under the leadership and vision of new co-owner Mike Repole, the UFL marked a significant step forward in 2026 after an ambitious plan to reimagine spring football. The result was a season defined by momentum, building on the league’s foundation with new markets, venues, fan experiences and innovations on the field. The league introduced the 4-point 60-plus-yard field goal and placed a further emphasis on transparent officiating, while delivering exciting football with the most plays, points & touchdowns per game, along with the lowest margin of victory and lowest number of punts in league history.

That momentum extended beyond the field with increased viewership, including numerous games eclipsing one million viewers, and increases in overall ticket sales, culminating with a sold-out United Bowl as the Louisville Kings captured the championship in their inaugural season. The season also reinforced the UFL’s value in the football ecosystem to develop top talent and provide a pathway to the NFL, with 118 former UFL players in NFL Training Camps, ultimately leading to 46 UFL players on current NFL active rosters or practice squads. In all, it was a springboard season that set the stage for the UFL to bring professional spring football to four new markets and expand to a 10-team league for 2028.

“2026 was an incredible year for the UFL, and seeing the response from our fans, players, and partners has made what comes next even more exciting,” said UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole. “There is a real energy around this league right now, and we’re thrilled to bring that energy to four new markets. We said in July that our next step was finding the right markets, venues, and fan bases where we can work with local leaders to build the strongest franchises for today and for the future, and we believe Colorado, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and Utah represent those qualities. We’re thankful to the local leaders and partners who believed in this vision and have helped us get here. We can’t wait to see these markets come to life and the best part is that this is just the beginning.”

Rhode Island will open its home schedule on Friday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX UFL Friday. The new team names, colors, logos and brand identities will be unveiled at public events – next month for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium on October 18.

The UFL is proud to partner with government leaders and leading sports, venue and civic organizations in each market, including Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium; the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Weidner Field; Miller Sports + Entertainment, Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals and America First Field; and Oklahoma City United, Echo Investment and MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.

UFL to bring professional spring football to Rhode Island beginning in 2027; Home opener set for April 2 at 8 p.m. ET and broadcast nationally on FOX as part of FOX UFL Friday

What the UFL says about Rhode Island!

Rhode Island is… a market with a deep history of professional sports and an established connection between teams and their communities.

The location… provides the UFL an opportunity to connect with fans throughout Rhode Island and across the broader New England region.

Solid, historic sports fan base… a good place to build a franchise in a tight-knit sports market with a deep history of sport. Pawtucket was home to the Pawtucket Red Sox for 50 years, while Rhode Island FC has further demonstrated the state’s appetite for professional sports and a strong connection between teams and their communities.

Centreville Bank Stadium is…  established as a destination for major sporting, entertainment and community events and was named the Best New or Renovated Venue of 2025 by SportsTravel Magazine. The public-private investment behind Centreville Bank Stadium has created a world-class sports facility capable of attracting major professional sporting events, including the UFL

Soccer, Football and more at Centreville… With Soccer well-established, the venue is now becoming home for college football with a 2025 and 2026 hosting of the University of Rhode Island’s 2026 home schedule, while their school stadium is being redone – and the upcoming Brown-Harvard matchup which was, without explanation, moved to Pawtucket on September 25. The stadium has also hosted rugby and lacrosse, demonstrating its flexibility to accommodate a wide range of major events.

“We are incredibly excited to bring professional football to Centreville Bank Stadium and to Rhode Island in 2027,” said Paul Byrne, General Manager of Centreville Bank Stadium. “There is tremendous energy around sports in the Ocean State, and we’re proud to continue establishing Centreville Bank Stadium as a premier destination for major sporting and entertainment events. Bringing professional football to Pawtucket is another exciting milestone for our venue and for Rhode Island, and our team can’t wait to welcome fans from across the state and deliver an unforgettable game-day experience.”

The Rhode Island team name, colors, logo and brand identity will be unveiled during a public event at Centreville Bank Stadium on October 18 with season ticket deposits available for fans at the event. Additional team and ticket information can be found at www.theufl.com/rhode-island.

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Trial Balloons going up

Brown & Harvard Sept. 25 (if weather holds) – Brown students’ not eager fans of the move

Brown University is also bringing football to Pawtucket, hosting Harvard at Centreville Bank Stadium on Friday, September 25, for a night game televised nationally on ESPN2.

According to The Brown Daily Herald, Brown athletics officials chose the venue for its permanent lighting, which Brown Stadium lacks. The move has prompted some student concerns about transportation and ticket costs. While Brown’s on-campus home games are free with a student ID, the Pawtucket game offered only 1,000 free student tickets, followed by 2,000 discounted $10 tickets. The Herald reported that remaining tickets were priced between $36 and $75 as of Tuesday. Brown is providing free student shuttles beginning at 5:30 p.m. from the John Carter Brown Library on George Street. Despite the concerns, the game has nearly sold out.

Rhody Rams back again

The University of Rhode Island is playing all five of its 2026 home football games at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket while Meade Stadium in Kingston undergoes major renovations. Announced in September 2025, the temporary move brings the Rams’ home schedule to northern Rhode Island, giving alumni and fans in that part of the state an opportunity to see the team closer to home.

URI previously played at the Pawtucket venue in October 2025 for the Governor’s Cup against Brown, which hosted that matchup.

It’s plausible that hosting URI helped demonstrate the stadium’s suitability for UFL football. College games could show prospective tenants how the field configuration, locker rooms, broadcast facilities, and game-day operations work for football. It’s unclear, particularly for the Brown University football move, if the school was incentivized in any way.