USL Championship Reveals 2026 Home Openers
Published on December 11, 2025 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The USL Championship announced today the home openers for the 2026 season, with both the league's new arrivals set to kick off at home as part of a 10-game slate of action on the opening day of the regular season campaign.
Brooklyn FC will play its first game in the USL-C against Indy Eleven at Maimonides Park, while Sporting Club Jacksonville will welcome Hartford Athletic to Hodges Stadium on Saturday, March 7 to kick off their respective campaigns.
Other notable games on the opening day of the season see defending title-holders Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC visit Old Guard Shield rivals the Charleston Battery at Patriots Point, defending Western Conference title-holder FC Tulsa head to visit Sacramento Republic FC, and Players' Shield holder Louisville City FC visit in-state rival Lexington SC in the opening Commonwealth Cup clash of the season.
Regional clashes are also front and center as the season kicks off as Birmingham Legion FC plays host to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, El Paso Locomotive FC hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Monterey Bay FC hosts Oakland Roots SC, and San Antonio FC hosts Phoenix Rising FC.
Pittsburgh will play its home opener on Saturday, March 28 as it faces Sporting Club Jacksonville at Highmark Stadium.
The full 2026 USL Championship schedule will be released on Tuesday, December 16.
2026 USL Championship Home Openers
Saturday, March 7
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Brooklyn FC vs. Indy Eleven
Charleston Battery vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Lexington SC vs. Louisville City FC
Monterey Bay FC vs. Oakland Roots SC
Rhode Island FC vs. Loudoun United FC
Sacramento Republic FC vs. FC Tulsa
San Antonio FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC
Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Hartford Athletic
Saturday, March 14
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
Detroit City FC vs. Brooklyn FC
Louisville City FC vs. Miami FC
Oakland Roots SC vs. New Mexico United
Phoenix Rising FC vs. Orange County SC
FC Tulsa vs. San Antonio FC
Saturday, March 21
Indy Eleven vs. Detroit City FC
Loudoun United FC vs. Miami FC
Orange County SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Saturday, March 28
Hartford Athletic vs. Indy Eleven
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Monterey Bay FC
New Mexico United vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville
Saturday, April 3
Miami FC vs. Hartford Athletic
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 11, 2025
- Ousmane Sylla Back for 2026 - Orange County SC
- San Antonio FC Re-Signs Defender Nelson Flores Blanco - San Antonio FC
- Republic FC Adds Dynamic Playmaker Arturo Rodriguez - Sacramento Republic FC
- FC Tulsa Announces 2026 Home Opener on March 14 at ONEOK Field - FC Tulsa
- El Paso Locomotive FC's 2026 Home Opener Set for Saturday, March 7 - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Home Opener Set: March 14 - Phoenix Rising FC
- Battery's 2026 Home Opener Set for March 7 against Reigning Champs Pittsburgh - Charleston Battery
- Republic FC to Open 2026 Season at Home against FC Tulsa - Sacramento Republic FC
- LouCity's 2026 Home Opener Set for March 14 at Lynn Family Stadium - Louisville City FC
- Indy Eleven Home Opener on Saturday, March 21 - Indy Eleven
- Rowdies to Host Pittsburgh in 2026 Home Opener - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Rhode Island FC Announces 2026 Home Opener - Rhode Island FC
- New Mexico United Set for 2026 Home Opener on March 28 vs. Colorado Springs - New Mexico United
- Lexington Sporting Club to Host Louisville City FC in 2026 USL Championship Home Opener - Lexington Sporting Club
- USL Championship Reveals 2026 Home Openers - USL
- Riverhounds' 2026 Home Opener, Season Opener Announced - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Oakland Roots Sports Club Announces Home Opener - Oakland Roots
- Switchbacks FC Sign Midfielder Yosuke Hanya for the 2026 & 2027 Season - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- San Antonio FC Re-Signs Defender Rece Buckmaster - San Antonio FC
- Vote Now: Rodrigo Lopez Nominated for Comeback Player of the Year - Sacramento Republic FC
- Dayonn Harris Named Finalist for USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year - New Mexico United
- Indy Eleven Signs Defender and Former UIndy Player Makel Rasheed - Indy Eleven
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