ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of sports fans are celebrating the return of spring football to Central Florida.
More than 11,000 people watched Sunday as the Orlando Storm kicked off its first United Football League season with a 23-16 win against the Columbus Aviators at Inter&Co Stadium.
What You Need To Know
The Orlando Storm earned a win against the Columbus Aviators, starting off strong in its first UFL season as spring football returns to the city
Last year, the UFL announced three teams were changing cities to play smaller venues, including Orlando
The 10-week schedule includes four games in Orlando
The UFL announced last year that three of its eight teams were changing cities: Orlando, Columbus, and Louisville.
League officials said the move was planned to get the teams playing in smaller venues like Inter&Co Stadium, which has a capacity of 25,500 people.
UFL owner Mike Repole, who lives in Orlando, spoke about professional football returning to the area.
“It’s a special feeling … I’m not nervous. I’m not anxious. I’m not even, like, super excited,” he said. “It’s surreal. It’s the best feeling. It’s a surreal feeling of this is going to happen.”
The 10-week schedule includes four games in Orlando. The Storm will play in other cities like Birmingham, Houston, and Washington D.C.
Their next game is Saturday, April 4, against the Louisville Kings starting at 8 p.m. in Orlando.