Rumors Swirl: Could the Houston Roughnecks Be Leaving the Bayou City in 2026?
Rumors Swirl: Could the Houston Roughnecks Be Leaving the Bayou City in 2026?
Speculation is rampant that the United Football League (UFL) is considering a significant shake-up for its 2026 season, and among the teams reportedly on the chopping block for relocation are the Houston Roughnecks. If true, this would mark a notable shift for the spring football league, which has seen fluctuating success in various markets.
Reports from multiple sources, including UFL NewsHub and Pro Football Newsroom, suggest that all four teams from the USFL Conference – the Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers, Memphis Showboats, and the Houston Roughnecks – could be moving to new cities.
Why Houston? The Factors Behind a Potential Move
The primary drivers behind these rumored relocations appear to be attendance figures and operational costs. While the UFL saw an increase in national viewership in 2025 compared to the separate USFL and XFL leagues in 2023, local attendance has been a more challenging metric for several markets.
For the Houston Roughnecks, the narrative is complex. The team, particularly under its XFL iteration in 2020 and 2023 with Wade Phillips as coach, had a strong fanbase and respectable attendance figures, averaging over 18,000 fans per game in 2020 and nearly 12,000 in 2023. However, following the merger that saw the Roughnecks name retained but the USFL's Gamblers' coaching staff and roster implemented, attendance has reportedly declined significantly. In 2024, the Roughnecks averaged just over 7,000 fans, dropping further to around 5,700 in 2025.
Several reasons are being cited for this downturn:
Fan Disconnect: The switch in coaching staff and roster after the merger may have alienated a portion of the original Roughnecks fanbase, who had a strong connection to the Wade Phillips-led team.
Venue Issues: The team's recent struggles with attendance, including playing in stadiums that appear less than ideal for the crowd sizes, have been noted.
Market Saturation: Houston is a major sports market with strong NFL, NBA, and MLB presences. The UFL might be looking to establish a stronger foothold in underserved markets where it can be the primary professional football attraction during the spring. The fact that Texas already hosts two other UFL teams (Arlington and San Antonio) could also be a factor in moving the weakest performing Texas market.
Operational Challenges: Reports indicate that significant layoffs have occurred in the front offices of the four teams rumored for relocation, including Houston, suggesting cost-cutting measures and a restructuring of the league's operational approach.
Potential New Homes for UFL Teams
While nothing is official, the rumored new markets for UFL teams include:
Columbus, Ohio: A large market with a strong football tradition (Ohio State Buckeyes) and potentially suitable venues like Historic Crew Stadium.
Boise, Idaho: A rapidly growing city with a passionate sports fanbase and no major professional sports saturation.
Florida (Orlando or Tampa Bay): Despite mixed results from previous spring football ventures, Florida remains an attractive market due to its population and existing sports culture.
Kentucky (Louisville/Lexington): Louisville, in particular, boasts an enthusiastic sports community and venues like Lynn Family Stadium that could be a good fit for UFL attendance.
The UFL is undoubtedly at a crucial juncture as it plans for the 2026 season. While the potential departure of the Houston Roughnecks would be a blow to local fans who supported the team in its earlier iterations, the league appears determined to make strategic adjustments to ensure its long-term viability by seeking out markets where it can cultivate more consistent and robust support. An official announcement from the UFL regarding its 2026 market strategy is anticipated in the coming weeks.
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