The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to demonstrate their dominance in the market they call home. Everyone in the city knows that their favorite sports team is the Steelers. The Penguins and Pirates hold popularity around town, but neither has jumped ahead of the top dog. Football is loved in the Steel City, and it has brought many to wonder if an extra team could thrive.
A new report has produced a problematic outlook for the United Football League. The report claims four of their franchises will be relocated to new cities next season, which would be half of their league. It was also announced in November that the UFL would be expanding its product with two extra locations to start the 2026 season.
It appears expansion efforts could be on standby with the current relocation concerns.
UFL News Hub’s website made a bombshell report that the four teams searching for a new home include the Memphis Showboats, Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers, and Houston Roughnecks. All four teams have struggled to create progressive attendance numbers since the UFL rebranded. It paints a bleak picture as the league desperately shifts to new markets for success.
The United Football League bypasses Pittsburgh for other cities for relocation
Pittsburgh has hosted football teams in the past, not named the Steelers. They had an arena football team, the Pittsburgh Power, and a USFL team, the Pittsburgh Maulers. Both failed to produce great success and eventually folded. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see the city eventually receive a spring team if the UFL rebounds from its current shortcomings.
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According to the report, "The United Football League had put out RFP process for new cities before the 2025 season began. We are hearing the new locations are Columbus, Ohio, Florida, Boise, Idaho, and Kentucky."
Pittsburgh is not listed as a relocation possibility, and its chances of landing an expansion team appear low.
The United Football League is seeking locations where a professional team can be introduced into an underserved market. They must turn a profit with a fan base that is desperate to find a team to root for. The four rumored cities in this article would be places without an NFL team to compete with.
Depending on where the United Football League expands into Florida, neither city rumored in this situation has a major NFL market surrounding it. Targeting areas where they can build their own fan base and grow the game is a smart strategy by the Spring League. If they fail to succeed in these new markets by selling their version of football, things could become bleak regarding their survival.
Currently, the UFL appears to be in a difficult position as it works to rebound during its 2026 campaign.
The Steelers continue to dominate the local market, which will likely keep spring football out of the city for the foreseeable future. The Maulers and Power failed to stay in business, but that doesn't mean there is no possibility of a return. Doors could always be opened if the UFL turns things around.