The USFL concluded the 2022 season last Sunday when the Birmingham Stallions beat the Philadelphia Stars 33-30 in the USFL Championship Game, and work now begins for the 2023 season. This season, all the games were played at Protective Stadium and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and the playoffs were at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Seven of the eight teams played in empty stadiums during the season. The fans only came out when the Stallions played. This must change heading into the 2023 season. Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand reported that the USFL was looking at two to four markets next season. The New York Times reported that the USFL is also looking for additional investors with the hire of Allen & Co. to help them find people interested in the USFL.
Finding the right home for these teams in their respective markets is essential. Of course, some are not as lucky as others, but here are the stadiums that the seven teams should play at in 2023.
Subaru Park- Philadelphia Stars
Subaru Park is located in Chester, Pennsylvania, right next to the Commodore Barry Bridge on the waterfront along the Delaware River. The stadium opened in 2010 and is home to the Philadelphia Union (MLS), which seats 18,500. It would be a perfect fit for the Stars heading into the 2023 season.
While many will want them to be in Lincoln Financial Field, a smaller stadium would fit them just fine until the Stars build a large fan base that houses more than 18,500. So for now, Subaru Park it is.
Raymond James Stadium- Tampa Bay Bandits
Raymond James Stadium is the home of the two-time Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the South Florida Bulls, which opened in 1998. There is no other stadium in the Tampa area except for Tropicana Field. The seating capacity at Raymond James Stadium is 65,618.
Red Bull Stadium- New Jersey Generals
Red Bull Stadium is located in Harrison, New Jersey, which opened in 2010 and is the home of the New York Red Bulls (MLS), and NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL). The seating capacity of Red Bull Stadium is 25,000, a perfect fit for the Generals, and they would avoid using MetLife Stadium. Plus, it would look nice watching football being played there.
Yulman Stadium- New Orleans Breakers
Yulman Stadium is the home of the Tulane Green Wave and is not far from Caesars Superdome. The stadium opened in 2014 and seats 30,000. The Breakers would not do well at the Superdome. Yulman Stadium would be a good fit for the Breakers.
Ford Field- Michigan Panthers
Like Tampa Bay, there are few options available for the Panthers except for Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The stadium opened in 2002 and is the home to the Detroit Lions, with a seating capacity of 65,000. The stadium was renovated in 2017. If the Panthers can turn it around next season, they can get a good crowd at the game.
Heinz Field- Pittsburgh Maulers
The last team on the list that only has one stadium option is the Pittsburgh Maulers, and that’s Heinz Field in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Heinz Field is the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers, which opened in 2001 that seats 68,400. The benefit of having a USFL team play in an NFL stadium is that it gives workers a chance to work all year round, not just during the NFL season.
NRG Stadium- Houston Gamblers
Finally, the Houston Gamblers do have options as to where they should play. However, TDECU Stadium is likely taken with the XFL playing there. There is Rice Stadium, but that won’t be a good fit for them when the weather heats up. The Houston Astrodome is still standing and not being used. Why not renovate the stadium and let it be the home of the Gamblers?
NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans that opened in 2002, is the right fit for the Gamblers. Yes, the stadium seats 72,220, but the advantage of using the stadium is its retractable roof. When the weather heats up, they can close the top and provide comfort for the fans and players. If you’ve watched the USFL this year, not many fans came out for their Stallions when it was hot, and no one wants to sit in 80-, 90-, or 100-degree heat. This is the best option for the Houston Gamblers, and they would be the only team to play in a retractable roof stadium.
