Reviewed by: Mary Helene Hall
Birmingham Stallions say goodbye: Why the 3-time champions are done
Reading time: 3 minutes
Professional spring football’s winningest franchise is no more. The Birmingham Stallions are disbanding, according to the United Football League (UFL).
The departure of the Stallions leaves the UFL without its three-time champion.
Over the last few weeks, UFL owner Mike Repole has hinted the Stallions exit from the Magic City was coming. He posted several times on social media about the league’s desire to hold games in a venue smaller than Protective Stadium.
Last week, a social media post about the league’s inability to relocate at the Hoover Met seemed to seal the Stallions fate.
We looked into Hoover Met as an option.
— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) July 24, 2026
Unfortunately, they do not have the spring dates we need in order to play a season there. https://t.co/GI7p1gqxwn
Birmingham did the best job it could to keep the Stallions
Gene Hallman, president of Eventive, said Birmingham did everything it could to keep the Stallions in the Magic City.
“They had a great deal here in Birmingham. They basically had the facility for free. The public sector stepped up and subsidized the operational cost of the facility — and the BJCC did its part, accommodating the Stallions and their needs. So, I’m disappointed, but I’m completely content that our community did the very best job it could.”
Hallman also pointed out something worth noting about the other UFL teams that folded last year — the Michigan Panthers, the San Antonio Brahmas and the Memphis Steamboats — all had stadiums with capacities of 50,000 or more.
He also pointed out the fact the Stallions were tied for third in the league for attendance and hosted its largest crowd in the team’s five-year history this past spring.
Birmingham pro football history
The demise of the Stallions might be the final straw for pro football in the Magic City.
Despite on-field success, this is the ninth team to fold in 50 years.
Can you name all the teams?
Here’s the list of all nine professional football teams that have called Birmingham home:
- Birmingham Americans (World Football League) — 1974-1975
- Birmingham Vulcans (World Football League) — 1975
- Birmingham Stallions (United States Football League) — 1982-1985
- Birmingham Fire (World League of American Football) — 1991-1992
- Birmingham Barracudas (Canadian Football League) — 1995
- Alabama Steeldogs (AF2 — Arena Football League’s developmental league) — 2000-2007
- Birmingham Thunderbolts (XFL) — 2001
- Birmingham Iron (Alliance of American Football) — 2018-2019
- Birmingham Stallions (United States Football League 2022-2023, United Football League 2024-2026) — 2022-2026
What will you miss most about the Stallions? Tell us what you think of the departure on Facebook and Instagram @bhamnow.
