Michigan Panthers leaving Detroit for 2026 UFL season 'due to stadium constraints'

The Michigan Panthers' 2025 campaign that resulted in a berth in the United Football League championship may be their last.

United Football League (UFL) officials confirmed to day that the Panthers, Memphis Showboats and San Antonio Brahmas will relocate for the 2026 season.

"After a thorough analysis of all markets and venues, the United Football League has made the difficult decision to depart from the Michigan, Memphis and San Antonio markets," UFL CEO and president Russ Brandon said in a statement. "Unfortunately, due to stadium constraints, the available venues in these areas do not align with our new vision of focusing on smaller, more intimate settings that elevate the fan experience.

The Panthers were one of four teams from the United States Football League (USFL) to join the UFL in the USFL-XFL merger in 2024. They spent the last three seasons at Ford Field, home to the Detroit Lions, which ended up too costly for the franchise to continue operation.

The UFL is expected to remain an eight-team football league in 2026. Five of the teams will remain in their current cities: the Birmingham Stallions, Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks and Houston Roughnecks.

League officials will announce two new markets for the 2026 season next week in addition to the new franchise based in Columbus, Ohio.

Brandon did not rule out a return to Michigan in the future in his statement today. The league is in talks with Detroit City FC about its upcoming stadium set to open in 2027.

"We are excited about the possibility of the new soccer venue in downtown Detroit, and we look forward to continuing discussions with [Detroit City FC co-owner Sean Mann] and his staff about the possibility of the Panthers returning to Detroit when that facility is completed," Brandon said.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers leaving Detroit ahead of 2026 season