The XFL is inching closer to completing its first full season since the league’s initial launch back in 2001. And if business keeps booming, it’s surely only a matter of time until the league adds more teams.
The league returned to play in 2023 with eight franchises: The DC Defenders, St. Louis Blackhawks, Seattle Sea Dragons and Vegas Vipers in the North Division and the Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians and San Antonio Brahmas in the South Division.
Mark Perry of XFL News Hub opined that the XFL could look to expand in 2025 if things trend up. Perry listed Nashville, Portland, San Jose, Charlotte, Oklahoma City and San Diego as potential expansion destinations:
“With the XFL 2023 regular season ending in two weeks, the league’s fans are excited about spring football’s future. Alt-Football fans love to talk about expansion. It is almost a lock that in 2024, we will see the same eight XFL teams in the exact locations as we are in 2023. 2025 however, could be a different story.
Currently, teams like the Defenders, Vipers, and Guardians are already putting out notifications for season ticket packages for the 2024 season.
The league marketing had a late start to promote the 2023 XFL season. But that won’t be the case in 2024, as staffing is ready to go. That is why team-wise, the league will be status quo for 2024.
The main storyline for the 2024 season will be if the XFL can build on their numbers (TV Ratings, Attendance) in season two. If those metrics improve, we could see changes in 2025, including adding new teams.”
WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon launched the XFL in 1999, and the league completed its inaugural season back in 2001. However, the XFL ceased operations after one year because of financial issues.
In 2018, McMahon announced that the XFL was coming back, with a relaunch date set for 2020. The 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and McMahon wound up filing for bankruptcy.
Before the XFL went up for sale at an auction, it was purchased by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, his ex-wife and business partner Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners founder Gerry Cardinale for $15 million.
