Rumors of potential expansion have been swirling in the wake of the XFL’s early success, and while there are only 8 teams in the league thus far, 21 cities had filed for XFL teams as far back as 2018.
All 8 of the XFL’s current teams are on this list, so it’s fair to deem it accurate, and the league has gravitated to established football cities to get started. More locations are clamoring for teams as well, as Birmingham (home of the AAF’s Iron and the Original XFL’s Bolts) is pushing for a team as well.
In the 2020 season, the XFL posted good ratings and proved its viability, so we should expect interest from around the country to grow in coming months.
The XFL News Hub Staff has voted on our top destinations, and seeing teams in any of these tried and true football towns would
Chicago
Considering that the Bears have had a steadfast fanbase for the past 100 straight years, Chicago would be a great expansion city with a proven market. From George Halas to Dick Butkus, Bronko Nagurski to Walter Payton and Brian Urlacher, Chicago has produced some of football’s most historic names, and would be a great home for an XFL franchise.
One of the original football towns, they have plenty of venues to offer. If the league wants another soccer stadium like we’ve seen in DC and LA, SeatGeek Stadium seats 20,000, and is about to be without a team as the Chicago Fire moves to Soldier Field.
Soldier Field could be a great option as well, as the 61,500 seater has a century of football tradition on its field. So far the XFL hasn’t revived any of it’s old teams, but something in the vein of the Chicago Enforcers could very well make an appearance in 2021.
Denver
Ever since Floyd Little became the franchise in 1967, Denver and its Broncos have been inseparable. The Mile High City currently holds the football world’s longest sold-out streak, as they have sold every single seat going back to 1970.
They’ve had other teams that’ve been popular with fans, like the USFL’s Denver Gold and the AFL’s Colorado Crush. Denver’s diehard fans just love football, and if the XFL wants a city that’ll fill stadiums, this is the way to go.
The Broncos’ Empower Field would be a great option, and its 71,000 seats would give the team a ton of room to grow, but they also have Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and its 18,000 capacity, and Boulder’s Folsom Field just up the road with 50,000.
A Colorado native, I’m biased in wanting a team but completely correct in predicting that if Denver gets an XFL team, attendance will be through the roof.
Oakland
I think rivalries are great for the XFL, and if we’re bringing Denver, we gotta bring in Oakland too. Not only would this massive rivalry prompt each cities fans to show up in a big way, it makes an exciting story, and I can’t imagine how wild an overtime shootout between these two cities would get.
Oakland has some of football’s most hardcore fans, and since the Raiders made their move to Las Vegas, they’ve left this city without a team that calls them home. Sure, Oakland fans are still probably rooting for the Raiders, but if the XFL had a team there I can guarantee those stands would be packed.
The Oakland Coliseum is currently without a football team, and the MLB doesn’t start until the XFL’s season is nearly over. The A’s and a potential XFL franchise could easily share this iconic venue. I’m sure Oakland fans wouldn’t mind, as long as their team has black home uniforms.
Philadelphia
Another city with a century of football tradition, Philly has been thrown around a ton in expansion discussions. Considering that they were one of the original 21 to file and the fact that the Arena’s Philadelphia Soul found so much success, this could be an attractive spot for a new team.
Lincoln Financial, the home of the Eagles is large at 69,000 seats, and there’s a few other options as well. Penn’s Franklin Field is a historic venue dating back to the 19th Century, and holds 52,000, while the MLS’s Subaru Park holds 18,500.
A Philadelphia team could slot right into the XFL, and with all 4 NFC East teams present, rivalries, interest, and ticket sales would all flare up.
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