DETROIT – In a major shakeup of the United Football League (UFL) for the 2026 season, the Michigan Panthers are among four teams slated for relocation, according to James Larsen of PFNewsroom.
Larsen reports that the UFL is relocating its teams from Michigan, Houston, Birmingham, and Memphis to new markets in Florida (likely Orlando), Boise, Columbus, and Kentucky (Louisville/Lexington). The decision comes after a difficult season where attendance dropped in most cities except Michigan, which saw growth. However, Larsen highlights that the high expenses of maintaining the franchise at Ford Field in Detroit have outweighed the benefits, pushing the league to make this costly but necessary change.
The Michigan Panthers, despite their supportive fan base, have been caught in the crossfire of the UFL’s broader restructuring. The league’s business model has been under scrutiny due to declining TV ratings and ticket sales issues, prompting a sweeping personnel cutback in several markets including Michigan. Larsen characterized the moves as “cost-cutting measures” essential for the league’s survival.
James Larsen, a seasoned sports journalist focused on spring football leagues, underscores the abruptness and scale of this change, calling it “absurd” but necessary for the league’s attempt to recover from a struggling business model. He notes that if the UFL cannot find success in its new markets, it may jeopardize the future of spring football as currently known.
The UFL has yet to officially announce the relocations, but insiders expect details soon, potentially within days.