Columbus Aviators

Last updated

Columbus Aviators
Columbus Aviators logo Columbus Aviators logo.png
Columbus Aviators logo
Logo
Basic info
EstablishedOctober 7, 2025;0 days ago (2025-10-07)
Stadium Historic Crew Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
ColorsNavy, powder blue, red, white
    
Website www.theufl.com/columbus
Personnel
Owner(s) Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%)
General manager Vacant
Head coachVacant
Team history
  • Columbus Aviators (2026present)
Home fields
League / conference affiliations
United Football League (2026 present)
Championships
League championships: 0
Conference championships: 0
Division championships: 0

The Columbus Aviators are an upcoming professional American football team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Aviators compete in the United Football League (UFL). The team was founded in 2026 and, like all of the UFL's teams, are owned by the UFL (a consortium of Mike Repole, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, RedBird Capital Partners and Fox Corporation). The Aviators will play their home games at Historic Crew Stadium, in Columbus, Ohio.

Contents

History

The team was announced in July 2025, following the UFL's intended relocation of multiple teams. [1] On October 7, 2025, it was announced that the team would be called the Columbus Aviators, due to the region's tie with the aeronautics industry and the state of Ohio's slogan as the "birthplace of aviation." [2] [3] The Aviators brand was the last holdover trademark the UFL had from one of its corporate predecessors, The Spring League; the Web site UFL News Hub had accurately predicted the establishment of a Columbus Aviators team as early as April. [4]

Market overview

The Aviators are the only professional football team in Columbus, and the first outdoor team to play in the region since the short-lived Ohio Glory in the World League, which played one season in 1992. Columbus is home to two major professional sports teams in Columbus Crew and Columbus Blue Jackets in Major League Soccer and National Hockey League, respectively. Additionally, Columbus is home to two minor league teams, Columbus Crew 2 and the Columbus Clippers, in the MLS Next Pro and International League, respectively.

The market is also heavily influenced by the collegiate teams from Ohio State University, the Buckeyes.

References

  1. "UFL to relocate a team to Columbus for spring 2026" . Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  2. "Columbus". www.theufl.com. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  3. Camenker, Jacob (October 7, 2025). "UFL relocating teams to Columbus, Louisville, Orlando amid sweeping changes". USA Today . Retrieved October 7, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Perry, Mark (April 2, 2025). "UFL To Expand In 2026 Adding Two Teams 'Later This Year'" . Retrieved April 2, 2025.