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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Santa Clara Meltdown
April 8, 2020 at 4:34 pm
The A’s will not share the Coliseum with another football team again!
Gregory DARRAH
April 8, 2020 at 8:01 pm
The home of football is Canton Ohio. With Tom Benson Stadium and the HOF why not bring a franchise to the 1st franchise in history. The stadium holds 23,000 fans. It would draw fans from Akron, Canton and Cleveland and is only 1 1/2 hrs from Columbus so could draw from there as well. Plenty of hotels and restaurants are available in the area.
Santa Clara Meltdown
April 8, 2020 at 10:11 pm
And to add to that, it’s San Jose State or bust for a return of the Demons. Nobody else wants to share their stadium with the XFL, but throw enough money in San Jose State’s face and they’ll do it.
Chicago sounds good on paper, but as the past has shown, the Bears DOMINANT Chicago so much that teams like the Enforcers and Blitz got slaughtered! The only chance for a new “Chicago Cardinals” to work is to give Chicago an AFC team, and they need to build a new stadium with a retractable roof to counteract the outdoor Soldier Field.
The Broncos maybe in a down period, but they ain’t that terrible. Denver DOES NOT need an XFL team when Salt Lake City, Utah is now available, now that the Stallions are dead.
The Philadelphia Stars relocated to Baltimore after 2 seasons, and you think an XFL team can compete with the Eagles? Remember when Philadelphia had 2 baseball teams? I wonder whatever “happened” to the A’s? A Philadelphia XFL team would be the football equivalent of the Philadelphia A’s.
And don’t bring up the Arena Football League. That’s an apples and oranges comparison.
Remember, things change. Those that were interested in an XFL team may no longer be interested, and Birmingham (who was originally not on that list) is now interested. The XFL needs to go to the places that lost their AAF teams (sans Atlanta and Arizona). New York and especially L.A. are perfect proof that just because you are a large metroplex doesn’t mean that the support is there.
But the big worry is that Vince McMahon is now using HIS OWN MONEY to keep the WWE stabilized. That does not help the XFL one bit.
Oh hush...
April 8, 2020 at 10:39 pm
It would be nice if Detroit could have a pro football team there…
Sir Zieborn
April 9, 2020 at 5:45 am
Speaking as a CFL fan, believe me, with a smaller league, you want smaller stadiums. Yes, when attention and excitement are high, 50,000 or more people looks good. However, most of the time, both in person and on TV, a packed 23,000 fans in Hamilton looks and feels way better than a game in BC where they are hiding the entire top decks and still have tons of empty space. Even in Toronto, where the CFL team has little support, the move from SkyDome to BMO Field (MLS stadium) has really changed the atmosphere of the live games, and made TV coverage less embarrassing.
Byron Tatum
April 9, 2020 at 10:36 am
I think if the XFL is looking to succeed and become a long-term option for players/fans, they need to look to the AAF and avoid placing teams in markets that are hungry for a professional team AND also relocate some teams to better markets:
NY – need to move from NJ to CT – Hartford would be an ideal spot
TB – need to move to Orlando
LA – need to move to San Diego
Add teams in Birmingham and San Antonio, and maybe places like Akron and Omaha, or even Sacramento . . .
Eventu
Rocci
April 9, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Here is a suggestion. I say reinstate the San Antonio team, buy the rights, if possible to the San Antonio Commanders, get the same uniforms, same helments. Another Texas team is a no brainer especially since they drew 20-25K per game. Great Texas rivalries. Great venue, alamodome.
Move LA Wildcats to San Diego, great fans who lost their Chargers, good stadium, great weather. They will draw 25K also. Same situation as St. Louis, fans will be fired up.
Minnesota might be another hot spot, Vikings Dome if affordable would be great.
Need another mid west team. Ohio is the tickets,, Perhaps Columbus. The issue is weather, question is where to play, and are any domes available. Ohio state fans tell you their passion for the game.
Craig Lasky
September 14, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Just as some other posters have said, stop taregting those mega market cities that already have a NFL franchise! Go with the cities that had an AAF team, but the only problem is those cities had 3 spring football leagues that failed, so getting people interested in another football league is another obstacle. But with the face of Dwayne Johnson on board now with XFL; his fame and success can maybe help woth getting these cities interested
M.L. Grosse
April 9, 2020 at 1:37 pm
In the UFL in 2010, The Omaha Nighthawks regular sold out the stadium of 23,000. This in a league no one heard of. With the XFL and its tv reach and popularity Omaha would sell out a 30,000 stadium no problem. Omaha and the surrounding area have long wanted a pro team. This is the way to go.
zachary blanchard
April 14, 2020 at 12:48 pm
How bout Milwaukee, Utah, and Memphis
Mike
May 17, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Would have liked to see a team in others cities. Too bad the whole league folded for good though
Craig Lasky
September 15, 2020 at 12:57 pm
The only.problem with cities like Milwaukee, Portland, Omaha and Oklahoma City, is that they don’t have a stadium. Now when you’re talking about cities like Raleigh- Durham, Louisville, Hartford,SLC; they have universities that have stadiums, so you would have to woo them in order to get permission.