Sports

XFL To Bring A Football Team Back To DC For 2023 Season

On Sunday, the XFL announced that D.C. would be among the eight cities to host an XFL team when the league begins play in Feb. 2023.

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The XFL will return to Washington, D.C., in 2023. D.C.'s team will play at Audi Field. In 2020, the D.C. Defenders played XFL games at Audi Field. Seattle, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Orlando, Houston, and Arlington, Texas, will also field teams.
The XFL will return to Washington, D.C., in 2023. D.C.'s team will play at Audi Field. In 2020, the D.C. Defenders played XFL games at Audi Field. Seattle, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Orlando, Houston, and Arlington, Texas, will also field teams. (Todd Warshaw/Allsport via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The XFL is coming back to Washington, D.C., in 2023, the league announced Sunday. The team will play its home games at Audi Field.

The XFL also announced that Reggie Barlow would be the head coach for D.C.'s team. Barlow played wide receiver in the NFL for eight years and most recently worked as the head football coach at Virginia State University in 2021.

On Sunday, the XFL announced the eight cities that would field teams when the league kicks off in February 2023. The league also announced venues and head coaches for each team.

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The current iteration of the XFL is owned by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia. Garcia is also the chairwoman for the league.

"This is another massive moment for the XFL, and I’m ready to feel the electricity our dedicated fans will bring to these iconic venues,” Johnson said on Sunday. "There is great energy building within our league and there is still much more to come."

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In 2020, the DC Defenders played in the XFL before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league has not said whether the team will keep the Defenders name and branding in 2023.

"What brings a league to life is the passion of the fandom behind it," Garcia said. "In each of these cities we will co-create with our fans and build these teams from the ground up so that they represent the unique fabric of our communities."

Here's the full list of host cities, venues, and head coaches:

  • Arlington, Texas
    • Choctaw Stadium
    • The team will be coached by Bob Stoops.
  • Houston, Texas
    • TDECU Stadium
    • The team will be coached by Wade Phillips.
  • Orlando, Florida
    • Camping World Stadium
    • The team will be coached by Terrell Buckley.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Venue to be announced later.
    • The team will be coached by Rod Woodson.
  • San Antonio, Texas
    • The Alamodome
    • The team will be coached by Hines Ward.
  • Seattle, Washington
    • Lumen Field
    • The team will be coached by Jim Haslett.
  • St. Louis, Missouri
    • The Dome
    • The team will be coached by Anthony Becht.
  • Washington, D.C.
    • Audi Field
    • The team will be coached by Reggie Barlow.

The XFL is accepting deposits for season tickets now. The league also has an agreement with Disney to air every game on ABC, ESPN, or FX.

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