This past UFL offseason, the United Football League went through a plethora of changes. Under the vision of new Co-Owner Mike Repole, the Houston market was retained – but effected. The Houston Roughnecks were rebranded to the Gamblers (1980’s USFL team), with a revised brand and logo. They also moved the team to Shell Energy Stadium.
It was a pivotal offseason for the UFL in general. Mike Repole at the helm meant that three markets were relocated (Memphis, Michigan, San Antonio). Houston, while originally in discussions for a move, ended up sticking around as Repole and the UFL struck a deal with Shell Energy Stadium.
Between a better venue located right in downtown Houston, plus a brand that Repole’s team thought would connect better with football fans in the metro – attendance was expected to increase.
2026 Season Numbers
However, that has not been the case. Last year, the Houston Roughnecks averaged just 5,712 fans per game – a sharp decrease from the 11,768 average during the XFL’s 2023 season.
This year? It’s been rough. Through four home games, the Gamblers are averaging just 5,550 fans per game. Their best showing was when Ludacris showed up for a halftime performance during their home opener. The reported number that week was 7,744. This past weekend, with a Mother’s Day kickoff at 6pm Eastern Time, the league reported an attendance number of just 4,409.
Official #UFL Attendance number for the Houston #Gamblers week seven matchup vs. Orlando Storm at Shell Energy Stadium: 4,409.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 11, 2026
For a fanbase that was so incredibly passionate about spring football in 2020, and showed strong support in 2023 – it’s been disappointing to watch the falloff.
Houston Market: Botched?
There is an explanation for this, though. The league did not do Houston any favors since transitioning from the XFL to the UFL. During the merger process, due to a weird turnaround with Wade Phillips – who was coaching the Houston Roughnecks in 2023 (when they went 7-3) – he landed in San Antonio.
2024 was a confusing year for Houston football fans. All of a sudden, C.J. Johnson was their Head Coach – and the team went 1-9, while playing at Rice Stadium. The warning signs were present in Houston’s week one home opener, when many fans were wondering where Wade Phillips was. Wade had departed for San Antonio months prior.
Even then, the attendance in Houston wasn’t terrible – considering the severe dropoff in quality of play, and a downgraded venue. In 2024, the Roughnecks averaged just over 7,000 fans per game.
The UFL then moved the Roughnecks back to TDECU Stadium (now Space City Financial) in 2025. With the same venue that the team played in back in 2020 and 2023, hopes were high that attendance would rebound.
It didn’t. A lack of true local marketing efforts in Houston has been the story of this franchise the last couple of years, as attendance numbers have been some of the lowest in the UFL across that span. Both Space City Financial, and now Shell Energy Stadium, feel like “COVID” games with the lack of support in the stands.
at this point i’m convinced the people who work for the houston roughnecks don’t want the team to survive
how is this even possible? #UFL pic.twitter.com/TwY9pWecuz
— ducky (@duckydisguised) May 3, 2025
The league has done an excellent job in building up new fanbases in the markets they dove into this offseason. Columbus and Louisville have been tremendous so far, and Orlando has also shown potential. The same cannot be said for Dallas and Houston – two Texas cities that have tanked in attendance numbers since their debuts in 2020.
Is Houston Too Far Gone?
Here’s what may be the most controversial piece in this column: the Houston Gamblers should NOT be relocated after this season. At least, in our humble opinion.
There is plenty of potential for this market to rebound, but a couple of things need to happen. First – it would help if the team could win some games. They’re currently 2-5, losing two at home on the season so far. Over the past three seasons, the Gamblers have yet to have a winning record – something they had in 2020 (5-0), and 2023 (7-3). Losing games usually results in losing fans along the way.
Most importantly, however – local resources need to be poured into Houston. The truth is, 99% of the population probably doesn’t even know the Gamblers are even playing, let alone right downtown. On top of that, part of the Roughnecks fanbase decided to walk away simply because of the rebrand. The UFL has to figure out a way to bring at least some of those fans back. Local events have been successful early this year – but it’s going to take many more of those to truly rebuild a base of fans that “buy in” to what spring football is all about.
See also
The Fan Experience
What needs to be promoted is the quality fan experience at Shell Energy Stadium. It isn’t talked about enough. This is, by far, the best venue that spring football has had in Houston. There isn’t a bad seat in the house – with a setup similar to what DC has at Audi Field.
The stadium is miles ahead of TDECU when it comes to fan comfort. There is overhead that provides shade, which was non-existent in Houston’s previous two locations. Additionally, mesh seats are available throughout the venue, which stay much cooler than the average plastic/metal seats at more traditional venues.
The obvious issue right now is how empty the stadium has looked this season. It looks terrible on TV. What doesn’t help: there is an All-You-Can-Eat/Premium Seating section on the home side, up a level (spans from the 40’s). Almost everyone at the game this past weekend was located there. Most of them stay indoors, and won’t be seen on television. There were a solid 1,000+ fans all in this area on Sunday evening, just based on what we saw in person. They’re very loud, too.
Bottom line: the UFL needs to see some continuity for the first time in forever. Sure, there are some potential markets that may have more promise than Houston – but switching up in 2027 is just going to continue to signal to the country that the United Football League does not produce stability. We already had three relocations in 2026 – the league shouldn’t touch anyone until 2028. 2027 should be the year of consistency, not more controversy and change.
A full offseason with Mike Repole’s resources could be a major benefit to Houston. The city simply needs to know that the Gamblers are playing there – at a high class venue, with outstanding “bang for your buck” value.
Hopefully, the Gamblers fanbase can finish strong in week nine, as they host the St. Louis Battlehawks at 7pm ET on Sunday, May 24th. There will even be a Jim Kelly Houston Gamblers bobblehead giveaway for the first 5,000 fans – it doesn’t get much better than that.
You can secure your tickets for the Houston Gamblers final home game here.
What are your thoughts on the Houston Gamblers and this market? Should they be retained moving forward? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
