Columbus getting a pro football team in 2026

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

State of play: The UFL is a professional league that began last year, and was born out of a merger between the XFL and the United States Football League.

* The league's first season in 2024 featured eight teams and played its regular season between March and June.

The intrigue: ESPN reported Thursday the team would play at Lower.com Field, the current home of the Crew.

Yes, but: The UFL and Crew confirmed to Axios that the new team will instead play at Historic Crew Stadium, where the Crew played until 2021.

* More details about the franchise will be "provided at a future date," UFL spokesperson Mike Wade told us.

* The UFL's choice to host games at Historic Crew Stadium is "a further testament to the first-class fan experience at our venue" and "advances our commitment to bringing unique major events to Columbus that highlight our city and promote economic impact in the region," Crew spokesperson Rob McBurnett told Axios in a statement.

Flashback: Columbus has previously been home to the Arena Football League's Destroyers and Thunderbolts, as well as the World League of American Football's Ohio Glory.