Louisville Kings Debut as UFL Expansion Franchise

New team looks to capitalize on city's sports passion and infrastructure

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:30am

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with sharp planes of color representing the action on the field.The Louisville Kings' debut as a UFL expansion franchise promises to bring a new level of energy and excitement to the city's vibrant sports scene.Louisville Today

The Louisville Kings have joined the United Football League (UFL) as an expansion franchise, bringing professional football to the Derby City. The team's leadership, led by head coach Chris Redman, is optimistic about the franchise's potential for success, citing factors like the city's strong fan interest in sports, favorable geography and population size, and available venues and infrastructure.

Why it matters

The addition of the Louisville Kings marks an exciting new chapter for professional sports in Kentucky, providing local fans with a new team to rally behind. As an expansion franchise, the Kings will look to tap into Louisville's existing sports culture and capitalize on the city's resources to build a loyal fanbase and competitive program.

The details

The Louisville Kings are the latest expansion team to join the United Football League (UFL), a professional American football league founded in 2022. In selecting Louisville as the site for its newest franchise, league officials cited the city's strong sports culture, central geographic location, and available venues and infrastructure as key factors. Head coach Chris Redman, a former NFL quarterback, will lead the team's efforts to establish a winning culture and engage the local community.

  • The Louisville Kings were announced as a UFL expansion franchise in January 2026.
  • The team will play its inaugural season in the 2026 UFL campaign.

The players

Chris Redman

The head coach of the Louisville Kings and a former NFL quarterback.

United Football League (UFL)

A professional American football league founded in 2022, which has expanded to include the Louisville Kings as its newest franchise.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to bring professional football to Louisville and tap into the city's incredible sports passion. With the right strategy and community engagement, we believe the Kings can become a beloved part of the Derby City's sports landscape.”

— Chris Redman, Head Coach, Louisville Kings

What’s next

The Louisville Kings will hold open tryouts in the coming months to build out their inaugural roster, and the team is expected to announce its full coaching staff and schedule in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The arrival of the Louisville Kings expansion franchise represents a significant opportunity for the city to further cement its status as a hub for professional sports. By leveraging the community's existing passion for athletics and the available infrastructure, the Kings hope to cultivate a loyal fanbase and build a winning program that can energize sports fans throughout Kentucky.