Continental Football League (2026)

Continental Football League

Sport	American football
Founded	2025
First season	2026 (planned)
Commissioner	Mike Kelly
No. of teams	8 (planned)
Country	United States
Headquarters	Wheeling, West Virginia
Official website	www.coflfootball.com

The Continental Football League (COFL) is an upcoming professional American football league set to launch in the summer of 2026. It is a revival of the defunct minor league that operated from 1965 to 1969 under the same name. The new COFL is positioned as a "professional AA" developmental league, aimed at smaller markets and providing opportunities for overlooked talent. ^[1]

History

Original COFL (1965–1969)

Main article: Continental Football League

The original Continental Football League operated as a minor professional league during the late 1960s, with teams across the United States and Canada. It disbanded after the 1969 season.

Revival (2025–present)

In September 2025, the COFL announced its return, with Mike Kelly named as commissioner. The new league is headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia, and plans to emphasize community ownership, grassroots operations, and summer scheduling to avoid competition with the NFL and other fall football leagues. ^{[1] [2]}

League Structure

Teams

The league is planning to launch with eight franchises divided into two divisions (North and South). As of October 2025, two franchises have been officially announced:

• Ohio Valley Ironmen (Wheeling, West Virginia)
• Texas Syndicate (Austin, Texas) ^{[1] [3]}

The Ironmen name is a nod to the former Wheeling Ironmen, who competed in the original COFL from 1965 to 1969. ^[3]

Roster and Schedule

• Roster size: 36 active players + 4 practice squad players (50 players in training camp)
• Season: 6-week regular season beginning mid-May, ending early July
• Championship Game: Tentatively scheduled around July 4
• Game Rules: Based on NFL rules, using standard 11-on-11 outdoor football ^[1]

Ownership and Model

• The COFL plans to offer fan ownership via equity crowdfunding, registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Venues will target 5,000–10,000 seat stadiums in underserved, small-to-mid-size markets
• The business model is built around cost control, regional engagement, and player development, similar to minor league baseball or hockey systems ^{[1] [2]}

League Mission and Positioning

The COFL sees itself as complementary to leagues like the UFL, rather than a direct competitor, and intends to work within the broader alt-football ecosystem rather than challenge it. ^[2] The league aims to fill a strategic summer football gap, offering competitive professional football outside of the NFL and UFL calendar. Its mission includes: ^{[1] [2]}

• Developing players, coaches, and staff for higher levels of professional football
• Reviving community-based pro sports through local ownership and civic pride
• Avoiding financial pitfalls by prioritizing sustainable spending and long-term viability

Headquarters

The league’s national headquarters is based in Wheeling, West Virginia, where it also has its first franchise (Ohio Valley Ironmen). City officials and league leaders have described the headquarters decision as a strategic move to reinvest in a region with a rich football legacy. ^{[3] [4]}

Media and Future Plans

As of late 2025, the league is in discussions with broadcast and streaming partners for its 2026 debut season. It also plans to announce the remaining six franchises in phases throughout late 2025 and early 2026. Tryouts, mini-camps, and fan-ownership investment rounds are expected to begin in early 2026. ^[2]

References

1. "Continental Football League's Fit In The Alt-Football Landscape". Pro Football Newsroom. September 19, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
2. "Continental Football League: The 2026 Blueprint Revealed". Pro Football Newsroom. September 12, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
3. "Ohio Valley Ironmen Officially Join Continental Football League". WTOV 9 News. September 11, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
4. "Former Football League Re-established, Will Have Headquarters in West Virginia". WTRF. September 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.