The United Football League announced a few weeks ago that two franchises: The Houston Gamblers, and Birmingham Stallions would be relocated to new markets. Speculation ran rampant about several markets, but finally it was announced that Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Colorado Springs, Co would receive these teams. Finally, professional outdoor football returns to Colorado this Spring shortly after the Broncos’ season ends.
For the first time since the Denver Gold departed back in 1986, the state of Colorado has an outdoor football team to occupy its interests this spring. Once the bell of the ball in the 80’s the Denver Gold set attendance records in the first iteration of the USFL before being completely ignored by every iteration of outdoor spring football since. From the U.S. expansion of the CFL to the original XFL and UFL, to the AAF, XFL 2.0, USFL 2.0, and even the XFL 3.0, none put a team in Colorado.
That changes in 2027, 40 years after the Gold left. This now means the state of Colorado will have three professional football teams in operation this spring:
Colorado Spartans – Denver Coliseum (Indoor Football)
UFL Colorado – Weidner Field
Pueblo Punishers – Southwest Motors Event Center (Indoor Football)
All three of which will be playing from March to about July, giving football fans more options than ever to see live games in person. All of which are within two hours’ travel of each other, and two of which will play each other in 2027.
Rick Neuheisel
Rick Neuheisel has been named the Head Coach of the new Colorado United Football League team. Neuheisel is no stranger to Colorado, having coached at Colorado University from 1994-1998. This time he will coach further south, in Colorado Springs.
Some fans will be less than excited to see Neuheisel return. Some blame him for the downfall of CU but often forget that Neuheisel was a first-time Head Coach who went 36-14 in four seasons with Colorado. Including a 3-0 record in bowl games with victories in the ’95 Cotton Bowl, ’96 Holiday Bowl, and ’98 Aloha Bowl. Neuheisel has just 1 losing season during his 4-year stretch, and it was just 1 game off of .500 at 5-6.
He now carries a collective career record of 96-68, including 12 seasons in college, 1 season in the AAF, and 1 season in Arlington with the UFL. Still to this day, with 14 seasons as a head coach, he has 9 bowl game appearances (5-4 record) and only 4 losing seasons, 1 of which came with Arlington. If history serves as any indicator, the Colorado UFL team will find success early and often under Neuheisel’s direction.
Neuheisel is ingrained in spring football; his own professional football career began in 1984 with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the original USFL, where he played for two seasons. Neuheisel’s Gunslingers actually played against the Denver Gold at old Mile High Stadium on March 25th 1985; however, despite two qb’s playing for San Antonio, Neuheisel did not see the field.
In 2027, Neuheisel heads into his third season as a professional Head Coach looking to make his first playoff game in this role. In 2019, he had a 5-3 record as the Head Coach of the Arizona Hotshots, when the Alliance of American Football ceased operations. He returned in 2026 with the Arlington Renegades, where he finished 4-6.
Attendance in the UFL
The attendance in the United Football League has settled on an average of just over 10,000 fans per game. The UFL has struggled at times to log consistent sellouts in any city, and has often had to block off sections of seats, or dealt with the optics of empty seats. This seems to have sculpted their vision of the league.
In 2026, we saw several teams relocated to venues that all were also utilized for professional soccer teams. Similar to Audi Field for the DC Defenders. This certainly helped the optics, as most teams were able to fill a good chunk of their stadium. Houston bottomed out in 2026 attendance-wise, and Birmingham simply struggled to find consistent support to warrant their venue.
Weidner Field represents the smallest venue in terms of capacity in the UFL. Every other stadium is 10,000 or more, but that doesn’t tell the full story, as 4 of the league’s venues have a capacity of 11,700 or less:
Louisville Kings – 11,700
Dallas Renegades – 11,000
UFL Rhode Island – 10,000
UFL Colorado – 8,000
You will notice that all four of these venues came into the fold since Mike Repole bought into the league. They have identified the proper size for their venues in 2026 and stuck to their guns for the 2027 season. This speaks to the league’s self-scouting and identifying reasonable expectations for ticket sales. They are telling fans they would rather sell out smaller venues than pay extra costs for larger venues they aren’t yet filling. Fans tend to forget you can always move to a larger stadium when they are consistently selling out their current venue.
Weidner Field: Colorado Springs, CO
In fact the UFL is already taking season ticket deposits for the 2027 season. Deposits were being accepted almost immediately after the news the team was moving to Colorado Springs. This is one way to spur a fan base to get involved early. Deposits are $100 per seat and go toward the purchase of season tickets when they become available. Those who put in a deposit are guaranteed to pick their seats prior to ticket sales being open to the general public.
Weidner Field broke ground in December of 2019, as a part of a widespread effort to improve the available sports facilities. Operated by Switchbacks Entertainment, which also owns and operates Colorado Switchbacks FC. This was viewed as an effort to spur real estate growth in the area, and the City can consider this mission accomplished. With an elevation of 6,035 feet, it is the highest elevation stadium in US professional soccer. Naming rights for the stadium are held by Weidner Apartment Homes, one of the owners of the Switchbacks FC.
Weidner Field features a beautiful design featuring a statue of Saturn to symbolize Colorado Springs’ nickname “The Olympic City”. Built just a city block away from another beautifully designed building, the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics Museum, and about 3 blocks from an Olympics training center as well. If the eventual goal is for teams to be in their cities full time, Colorado Springs and Weidner Field may produce a perfect foundation for just that, including a potential housing partner with Weidner Apartment Homes.
One thing we have not discussed is the relative ease for the UFL to operate in this venue. Currently Weidner Field has just two reoccurring tenants, Colorado Switchbacks FC, and the UFL. They will not be competing with multiple other sports for dates. Granted the Switchbacks play from March to Late-October – Early November.
Weidner Field has one of the first “Corkonut” turf fields approved by FIFA. The field uses coconut fibers and cork infill; It is the first of its kind to be approved in the world for soccer. The stadium is also centrally located in Downtown Colorado Springs with parking available, and plans to add more parking right across the street from the stadium. There is also a city bus that drops fans right at the stadium itself.
If the league is smart and wants to really push ticket sales, they need to embrace the heavy presence of the armed forces in Colorado Springs. With five different prominent bases and the Air Force Academy in the city, providing a rolling discount for members of our armed services would likely be hugely popular in Colorado Springs.
Renegades Roster and Staff Will Head North
As part of this new relocation, the Renegades Coaching Staff and Roster head to Colorado with the former Gamblers staff and roster taking over the Renegades brand. Let’s take a deeper look at the roster, highlight some players to watch, and point out any ties to the state of Colorado. While there is always turnover on these staffs from year to year, we are going to look at the 2026 staff as well.
Coaching Staff
Noel Mazzone, Offensive Coordinator
Mazzone is a former college quarterback who played for the University of New Mexico from 1975-1979. His Head Coach at the time was Colorado Native and Colorado University alum Bill Mondt. After Mazzone wrapped up his playing career, he joined the coaching staff at UNM as a Graduate Assistant for two seasons.
In 1981, Mazzone was hired by Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was hired to oversee quarterbacks and wide receivers. He stuck with CSU until moving on in 1987. During this stretch, he coached future NFL draft picks QB Terry Nugent, selected in round 6 by the Browns in 1984, AND by the Denver Gold of the USFL. In 1987 his second quarterback was selected Kelly Stoufer going 6th overall the year he departed for TCU. In 1988, he had two former wideouts signed as UDFA’s as well.
Mazonne also sent several players to the original USFL as well. Receivers Jeff Raikes and Jeff Champine went to the Denver Gold in back-to-back seasons. Since his time with CSU, Mazzone has spent 35 years coaching college football. He has also been one of the more traveled USFL/UFL coaches:
USFL and UFL Teams
2022 New Orleans Breakers
2023 Pittsburgh Maulers
2025 Memphis Showboats
2026 Dallas Renegades
2027 UFL Colorado
Five markets in five seasons. Mazzone is arguably one of the most experienced OC’s in the league. With 22 seasons calling plays in college, 4 seasons in spring football, and 1 in high school.
Chris Reinert, WR Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
Chris Reinert is a name to watch as a future coordinator in the UFL. As of right now he is the Wide Receivers Coach headed back to a state he once coached in. Hired in 2020 following a year working with Arizona State under Herm Edwards, Reinert served as Special Teams Quality Control before taking over as coordinator in 2022. After 2022, Deion Sanders took over, and Reinert left.
For the next three seasons, he served as the Head Coach at Servite High School in California before resigning in 2026 and joining the man he worked under in the AAF.
Tim Hundley, Inside Linebackers Coach
Tim Hundley is one of the most experienced coaches in the United Football League. He has been coaching one position or another on defense since 1973. In 2027, he will be headed into the 55th year of his coaching career. In 1996, Hundley was hired by the University of Colorado under the direction of Rick Neuheisel.
Coaching Defensive Line from 1996-1998, Hundley also coached his fair share of NFL draft picks. In just three seasons, he had 3 defensive tackles and 1 defensive end selected in the NFL Draft between rounds 4 and 7.
Ryan Lewis, Quality Control
Ryan Lewis is a 7-year veteran as an NFL and UFL player. He spent his final two seasons as a player with the San Antonio Brahmas in 2023 and 2024. During the final years of his playing career, Lewis moved to Colorado and began a coaching career with Eaglecrest High School, overseeing defensive backs and special teams. He has also been assisting in youth camps in the area for years.
In 2024, Ryan Lewis announced his retirement, while also announcing he had accepted the Assistant Defensive Backs Coach role for Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Co. He held this position for two seasons, and had planned to return in 2026 following his duties with the Renegades. He has since been hired as the Cornerbacks coach for Eastern Washington. Could he pull double duty?
Players that have Ties to Colorado
The ties to Colorado from the remaining players on the 2026 roster are few. One of the longest-tenured players on the 2026 Renegades, Dae Dae Hunter, was born in Denver, Colorado. He was named All-State for Thomas Jefferson High School before moving to Chandler, Arizona. Ironically after going through the entire roster, or what is left of it after retirements, NFL and CFL signings Hunter is the only player with direct ties to Colorado.
Colorado Flush with Schools to Scout
Colorado is home to:
3 Division I FBS Teams
1 Division I FCS Team
5 Division II Teams
As well as a slew of JUCO programs, two professional indoor football teams, and countless semi-pro organizations. A showcase in Colorado Springs could potentially turn out some very intriguing prospects.
Having touched on all the ties to Colorado, the amount of regional talent that could be funneled to the team, as well as the venue and the coaching staff, I will leave you with an open-ended question. With Colorado Springs being considered the Olympic City, and football being added to the Olympics in 2028, could this prove to be a baby step to something bigger for the UFL in the future?
Latest Articles
- Colorado Springs to Host UFL Team: What You Need to Know in 2027
- Pittsburgh Outlaws Join AIF for 2027
- AAL & Jersey Bearcats Enter New Era for 2027
- Seahawks Lose Another Running Back Sign Promising Young 2026 UDFA
- 🚌 The Bus Stop NFL Week 4 Pick’em: Gemini Gains Ground, Broncos Humbled & Week 5 Receipts Loading
Draftkings – Come play Sportsbook and sign up using my personal invite link: https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/r/sb/ShadySportsNetwork/US-CO-SB
Sponsor: YouTube TV
Shout out to our sponsor for this article and so much more; YouTube TV. YouTube TV is the best television streaming platform on the market today bar none. Providing a host of channels and different content from live sports to television shows, and movies. You will not be disappointed. Using our code and receive $15 off your first month, and in turn you will also help support Shady Sports Network. Thank you to our sponsor, YouTube TV. Click the link below to receive your discount.
https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r08sujwpt6mj85
Sponsor: Upside
This content and so much more is brought to you by Upside. Upside is a free, no-strings-attached app that will pay you cashback for the purchases you already make. Gas, Groceries, or a Good Meal, with just 3 clicks, you can earn Cash Back today at HUNDREDS of locations. Use our code Sam363682 to save an additional 15 cents per gallon on your next fuel purchase. With discounts up to 25 cents per gallon, you could earn 40 cents back per gallon on your first purchase. Again, use our code Sam363682 at sign up.
Sponsor: Goat Fuel Energy Drinks
Goat Fuel Energy Drinks is designed by the pros for the pros. Co-Founded by Hall of Fame NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice, this energy drink is truly the fuel of the Goat. With flavors like Watermelon Fruit Punch, Tropical Mixed Berry, Blueberry Lemonade, Pineapple Cream Soda, Black Cherry Ginger Ale, and Gummy Bear you can’t go wrong. Order in a twelve pack of a specific flavor or grab a variety pack either way use our link below to save $$$ at checkout.
https://goatfuel.myshopify.com/discount/AFFILIATE10?rfsn=8778950.53e94d5
Also Check out the Shady Sports Network Indoor and Arena Football Magazine:
https://covver.com/magazine/tbsteelers23-wqk1/untitled-magazine-3/1
YouTube
Please also help us continue growing on our YouTube Channel by subscribing if you haven’t already. Also, like and comment on any videos you enjoy! Thank you for your support, and we hope you continue to tune in!
Also, check out our new Live Events channel dedicated to broadcasting any games we are able to get the broadcast rights to. We have broadcast arena football, A7FL, Big 3 Basketball, Flag Football, Boxing, MMA, and so much more.
Join the Conversation on Discord, Facebook, or Reddit
Are you on Discord or Facebook? Join our server/groups to jump in the conversation, stay up to date on your favorite leagues, and give us your hot takes. You can also promote your content!
Fantasy Reports Facebook Group
Discover more from Shady Sports Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.