Despite performing well in terms of TV viewership during its inaugural season, the UFL struggled at the box office. The eight-team league attracted an average of 12,828 fans per game for the 40 regular-season games played over 10 weekends. However, without the impressive numbers of the St. Louis Battlehawks, the UFL would have averaged just 8,532 fans per game. In contrast, the Memphis Showboats had the lowest attendance with only 6,893 fans showing up per game.
Moving forward, the UFL should focus on placing teams in locations where fans are more likely to attend games. Seattle’s success with the XFL could provide a blueprint for the UFL, and former NFL markets like San Diego and Oakland could be viable options. Having three teams in Texas may be excessive, considering the NFL only has two teams in the state. It would also be beneficial for the UFL to establish at least one team in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/New York area to capture a larger market.
While the UFL has shown promise in its first season, the true test will be its ability to thrive in the long run. To achieve this, the league should aim to establish more successful markets similar to St. Louis. By strategically placing teams in locations with strong fan support, the UFL can create a sustainable and successful future for the league.
