Columbus Aviators (Official Thread)

[ScriptOhio]

The Columbus Aviators set to soar into the UFL starting in 2026

Columbus' new professional football team finally has a name. The United Football League (UFL) has unveiled the Columbus Aviators as its newest team.

abc6onyourside.com

Columbus' new professional football team finally has a name.

The United Football League (UFL) has unveiled the Columbus Aviators as its newest team, celebrating the region's pioneering spirit in aviation.

The Aviators will play at Historic Crew Stadium starting in spring 2026. The league also announced changes for two legacy teams: the Arlington Renegades will become the Dallas Renegades, moving to Toyota Stadium, and the Houston Roughnecks will be renamed the Houston Gamblers, relocating to Shell Energy Stadium.

"Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League," said Mike Repole, co-owner of the UFL. He emphasized the league's commitment to bringing professional football to cities with deep sports roots, including Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando. Repole, who joined the UFL ownership group in July 2025, is focused on the league's business strategy and growth.

The new teams, Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm, will join the Birmingham Stallions and DC Defenders. The league will operate as a united eight-team league from 2026, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.

Head coaches will be announced in the near future for the three teams, along with new uniform designs for all eight teams. The 43-game 2026 United Football League schedule, which will kick off on Friday, March 27, will be unveiled at a later date.

 

[Thump]

Bums

 

[Zurp]

Bums

I bet they can draft better than the Browns can.

 

[iambrutus]

I bet they can draft better than the Browns can.

good call, set the bar very low to setup for success

 

[Zurp]

good call, set the bar very low to setup for success

I set the bar low enough that I can trip over it and still probably succeed.

 

[ScriptOhio]

UFL Plans to Have Former Buckeyes Play for Columbus Aviators, Eager to Work with Ohio State

The UFL plans to give the Columbus Aviators first dibs on former Ohio State players who want to play in the league, and UFL leaders are eager to work with Ohio State however they can.

www.elevenwarriors.com

UFL Plans to Have Former Buckeyes Play for Columbus Aviators, Eager to Work with Ohio State​

Former Ohio State football players who aren’t on NFL rosters will soon have an opportunity to continue their professional football careers in Columbus.

The United Football League – the No. 2 professional football league in America – announced earlier this week that it will play in Columbus starting in 2026 as it relocates one of its eight teams to Ohio’s capital city for next season. The Columbus Aviators will play at Historic Crew Stadium, with the season set to begin in late March.

And the UFL has plans to ensure that former Ohio State players who join the league play in the same city where they were once college stars.
Mike Repole, who leads the league’s business operations after becoming a co-owner of the UFL earlier this year, says the league plans to give the Aviators first dibs on Ohio State players who are interested in playing in the UFL.

“Every player that comes out of that Ohio State program, if they want to continue playing football (in the UFL), they'll be playing here,” Repole said Thursday at the Columbus Aviators’ introductory press conference.

While the UFL has a draft and free agency, Repole indicated that each of the league’s eight teams will get the first opportunity to add players from colleges within a 100-mile radius of their home cities. All eight teams are owned by the league, giving the UFL the ability to decide if they want players to play for specific teams, though each team has its own general manager.
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