Professional & Semi-Pro Football Teams by State (2027): Find Teams Outside the NFL
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Looking for professional or semi-pro football teams near you? The NFL isn't the only place to play competitive American football.
Across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, football organizations compete in professional outdoor leagues, indoor football leagues, arena football competitions, and regional semi-professional leagues.
Some offer paid professional contracts. Others operate with smaller budgets, limited compensation, or unpaid rosters.
For athletes looking to continue their football careers after high school, college, or previous professional experience, understanding these different leagues is an important first step.
This guide covers professional football leagues outside the NFL, examples of teams by state, potential tryout opportunities, and how to contact organizations about playing in 2027.
Find Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams Near You
Finding football teams outside the NFL can be surprisingly difficult.
Some leagues publish complete team directories, while smaller organizations rely on individual websites and social media accounts.
A player looking for opportunities in Texas, for example, might need to research several leagues to find every team operating nearby.
Search Football Teams by State and League
Cancha Labs is developing a searchable directory designed to help athletes discover football organizations across multiple leagues.
The planned directory will allow players to filter by:
State or location
Football league
Team name
Outdoor football or indoor/arena football
The goal is to make it easier to identify football opportunities without searching every league website separately.
The interactive football directory is not yet available. Until it launches, use the official league websites provided below to research teams.
What Professional Football Leagues Exist Outside the NFL?
There are several established football leagues outside the NFL, although their rules, recruiting processes, compensation, and competitive levels differ.
1. United Football League (UFL)
The United Football League is a professional spring football league in the United States.
The UFL provides opportunities for players looking to compete professionally outside the NFL, including athletes with college football experience and previous professional backgrounds.
The league has confirmed eight teams for its 2027 season.
2027 UFL teams:
Colorado Stampede — Colorado Springs, Colorado
Columbus Aviators — Columbus, Ohio
Dallas Renegades — Dallas–Fort Worth area, Texas
DC Defenders — Washington, DC
Louisville Kings — Louisville, Kentucky
Orlando Storm — Orlando, Florida
Rhode Island Breakers — Pawtucket, Rhode Island
St. Louis Battlehawks — St. Louis, Missouri
The league has also announced expansion into Oklahoma and Utah for 2028.
The UFL should be one of the first leagues researched by athletes seeking paid outdoor professional football opportunities.
However, being interested in playing in the UFL does not guarantee access to an open tryout. Player evaluations, roster decisions, and recruiting procedures are controlled by the league and its teams.
Official UFL website: https://www.theufl.com/
2. Indoor Football League (IFL)
The Indoor Football League is a professional indoor American football league.
Unlike traditional outdoor football, indoor football is played on a smaller field with different rules and roster requirements.
The IFL has teams across multiple regions of the United States and offers another potential pathway for players who want to continue competing professionally.
Examples of IFL organizations include:
Arizona Rattlers — Arizona
Bay Area Panthers — California
Green Bay Blizzard — Wisconsin
Iowa Barnstormers — Iowa
Massachusetts Pirates — Massachusetts
San Diego Strike Force — California
Sioux Falls Storm — South Dakota
Tulsa Oilers — Oklahoma
The league is also expanding for 2027, including a new Athens, Georgia franchise called the Athens Crush.
Because teams and league memberships can change, athletes should confirm the current season's official roster of participating organizations.
Official IFL website: https://goifl.com/
3. Arena Football One (AF1)
Arena Football One is an arena football competition with teams operating in markets across the United States.
Arena football uses a smaller playing surface than traditional outdoor football and emphasizes a faster-paced style of play.
Organizations appearing in AF1's official team directory include:
Albany Firebirds — Albany, New York
Kentucky Barrels — Northern Kentucky
Nashville Kats — Tennessee
Beaumont Renegades — Beaumont, Texas
Minnesota Monsters — Duluth, Minnesota
Michigan Arsenal — Saginaw, Michigan
Washington Wolfpack — Washington
Oceanside Stealth — Oceanside, California
AF1 also publishes team information, rosters, and league transactions.
For athletes interested in indoor football, these resources can help identify organizations to research for future evaluations.
Verify each organization's participation in the 2027 season before contacting it about roster opportunities.
Official AF1 website: https://www.theaf1.com/
4. Canadian Football League (CFL)
The Canadian Football League is an established professional football league in Canada.
It is one of the most recognizable professional football opportunities outside the NFL.
The CFL uses Canadian football rules, which differ from American football in several important ways, including the number of players on the field and the number of downs.
CFL teams include:
BC Lions — Vancouver, British Columbia
Calgary Stampeders — Calgary, Alberta
Edmonton Elks — Edmonton, Alberta
Hamilton Tiger-Cats — Hamilton, Ontario
Montreal Alouettes — Montreal, Quebec
Ottawa REDBLACKS — Ottawa, Ontario
Saskatchewan Roughriders — Regina, Saskatchewan
Toronto Argonauts — Toronto, Ontario
Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Winnipeg, Manitoba
The CFL is particularly relevant for athletes seeking a professional football career who are willing to relocate internationally.
Teams have their own recruiting and player personnel processes. International player eligibility, roster classifications, and contract requirements should be reviewed before pursuing opportunities.
Official CFL website: https://www.cfl.ca/
5. National Arena League (NAL)
The National Arena League is another name athletes may encounter when researching indoor and arena football opportunities.
Historically, the NAL has featured teams in smaller American football markets.
However, indoor football leagues frequently experience franchise changes, league transfers, and organizational restructuring.
For that reason, athletes should not assume that every team previously associated with the NAL remains active or competes under the same league.
Before pursuing a roster opportunity, verify the organization's latest schedule, league affiliation, and official recruiting information.
6. Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA) — Mexico
The Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional is a professional American football league in Mexico.
For U.S. athletes willing to explore opportunities abroad, Mexican professional football can provide another potential route to continued competition.
The LFA has included organizations such as:
Caudillos de Chihuahua — Chihuahua
Dinos de Saltillo — Saltillo, Coahuila
Gallos Negros de Querétaro — Querétaro
Mexicas — Mexico City
Raptors — State of Mexico
Reyes de Jalisco — Jalisco
These are examples of organizations associated with the league, not a verified final 2027 team list.
Athletes considering professional football in Mexico should research eligibility, international player rules, compensation, housing arrangements, and immigration requirements.
Official LFA website: https://lfa.mx/
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams by State
There are football organizations outside the NFL in numerous states.
Some states have outdoor professional franchises, while others have indoor or arena football teams. Regional semi-professional organizations may also operate independently of the larger national leagues.
Below are examples to help athletes begin their research.
These are not exhaustive lists of every football team in each state, and inclusion does not confirm that a team is holding tryouts.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Texas
Texas is one of the strongest football markets in the United States.
Examples of organizations include:
Dallas Renegades — UFL
Frisco Fighters — IFL
Tulsa-area and neighboring regional football organizations may also provide additional opportunities outside Texas
Beaumont Renegades — AF1
Players in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and surrounding areas should research both outdoor and indoor football organizations.
Not every Texas-based football team competes in the same league or follows the same recruiting calendar.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Georgia
Georgia has a strong football tradition at the high school and college levels, with professional indoor football opportunities also developing in the state.
One notable example is:
Athens Crush — IFL, Athens, Georgia, scheduled to begin play in 2027
Georgia athletes should also research regional semi-professional organizations and nearby teams in neighboring states.
For players in Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, and Macon, location-based searches may uncover opportunities that are not widely advertised nationally.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Florida
Florida has hosted multiple professional football organizations outside the NFL.
For 2027, a confirmed UFL organization is:
Orlando Storm — UFL, Orlando, Florida
Florida players should also research indoor football organizations and smaller regional leagues, while verifying which teams remain active.
Because football franchises can relocate or change leagues, older team lists should not be treated as current recruiting directories.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in California
California has professional indoor football organizations in several markets.
Examples include:
Bay Area Panthers — IFL
San Diego Strike Force — IFL
Oceanside Stealth — AF1
Players in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, and surrounding regions should explore both indoor and outdoor football opportunities.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Ohio
Ohio has a significant football culture and a professional spring football presence.
Examples include:
Columbus Aviators — UFL, Columbus, Ohio
Athletes can also research indoor football organizations in Ohio and neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Arizona
Arizona is home to established indoor football organizations.
Examples include:
Arizona Rattlers — IFL
Players should check official team and league websites for roster evaluations and current recruiting announcements.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Missouri
Missouri has a professional spring football presence through:
St. Louis Battlehawks — UFL, St. Louis, Missouri
Players interested in additional opportunities should also explore indoor and regional football organizations throughout Missouri and neighboring states.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in New York
New York has hosted several indoor and arena football organizations.
Examples include:
Albany Firebirds — AF1, Albany, New York
Players should confirm the organization's current league participation and recruiting process before contacting staff.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a substantial football talent base, including athletes competing at the college and professional levels.
Players searching for teams outside the NFL should research indoor football organizations, regional semi-professional leagues, and teams in neighboring states.
Because participation changes frequently at the regional level, an organization should be verified through a recent schedule or official announcement before being treated as an active opportunity.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Colorado
Colorado will have a UFL franchise competing in 2027:
Colorado Stampede — UFL, Colorado Springs, Colorado
The team is scheduled to play at Weidner Field.
This provides another professional outdoor football market for athletes to research.
Professional and Semi-Pro Football Teams in Rhode Island
Rhode Island will also join the UFL's 2027 competition.
Rhode Island Breakers — UFL, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
The team is scheduled to play at Centreville Bank Stadium.
Athletes should follow official UFL communications for any announcements regarding player evaluations or recruiting procedures.
What Is the Difference Between Professional, Semi-Pro, and Arena Football?
Not every football league outside the NFL operates at the same level.
Professional Football
Professional football organizations employ players under paid playing arrangements.
Examples include established leagues such as the UFL and CFL, along with professional indoor football organizations.
Contract terms, roster requirements, and compensation vary.
Semi-Professional Football
Semi-professional football generally refers to competitive organizations operating below major professional leagues.
Some players may receive limited compensation or expense assistance, while others compete without pay.
The term does not guarantee that players receive a salary.
Arena and Indoor Football
Arena and indoor football refer primarily to the format of the sport, not whether the players are professional.
Indoor football is typically played on a smaller field with modified rules.
Some indoor football organizations are professional, while others operate with smaller budgets or different player compensation models.
An athlete should always confirm whether an opportunity is paid before accepting a roster position.
Do Semi-Pro Football Players Get Paid?
Some do, but compensation varies considerably.
Professional leagues may provide player contracts and structured compensation.
Smaller semi-professional organizations may offer:
Per-game payments
Limited stipends
Travel assistance
Equipment or other benefits
No direct player compensation
There is no universal salary across all semi-professional football teams.
Before accepting an offer, athletes should ask about payment terms, insurance, medical coverage, travel, housing, equipment, and any fees they may be responsible for.
How to Play Professional Football Without Making the NFL
Not reaching the NFL does not necessarily mean your football career must end.
There are several steps athletes can take to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Step 1: Identify the Right Football League
Start by researching leagues that match your experience and playing goals.
If you want outdoor professional football, the UFL and CFL may be relevant.
If you're open to indoor football, explore the IFL, AF1, and other verified organizations.
If you're willing to relocate internationally, consider professional football opportunities in Canada and Mexico.
Step 2: Prepare Your Football Film
Your film should make it easy for a coach or personnel director to evaluate your ability.
Include:
Your name and position
Height and weight
Previous teams or schools
Recent playing experience
Highlight footage
Full-game footage when available
Relevant statistics and verified testing results
Strong footage is particularly important for athletes who are no longer playing in college.
Step 3: Research Coaches and Player Personnel Staff
Football organizations may use different recruiting structures.
Depending on the league, the appropriate contact could be a head coach, general manager, director of player personnel, or recruiting coordinator.
Research the organization's staff and identify the person responsible for evaluating prospective players.
Step 4: Look for Official Football Tryouts
Some organizations hold open tryouts or player combines.
Others recruit primarily through professional scouting, agents, referrals, or private evaluations.
Always check official team websites before registering for an event.
Avoid assuming that an unofficial social media advertisement represents a legitimate professional opportunity.
Step 5: Contact Teams Professionally
Once you identify an appropriate organization, send a concise message introducing yourself and explaining your playing background.
Include your film and ask whether the team has a process for evaluating prospective players.
Avoid sending lengthy messages without footage or relevant playing information.
Football Tryouts in 2027: Where to Look
Football tryouts can be difficult to track because each league and organization may operate differently.
Some teams publish evaluation dates months in advance, while others announce opportunities closer to the start of their season.
Athletes should monitor:
Official league websites
Individual team websites
Team social media accounts
Player personnel announcements
Verified combines and evaluation events
A published team listing does not mean that open tryouts are available.
For the latest opportunities, always verify the date, location, eligibility requirements, registration process, and whether participation involves a fee.
How to Contact Professional and Semi-Pro Football Coaches
Finding a football team is one challenge. Finding the right person to contact is another.
Professional organizations often have coaching and football operations departments responsible for evaluating prospective players.
For smaller teams, those responsibilities may be handled by the head coach or general manager.
When reaching out, keep your message short and specific.
Example Football Recruiting Email
Subject: 2027 Football Roster Inquiry — [Position] — [Your Name]
Hello Coach,
My name is [Your Name], and I'm a [position] with playing experience at [school or team].
I'm interested in learning whether your organization is evaluating players for the 2027 season.
My background includes [brief experience or relevant achievements].
I've included my football film and player information below.
Highlights: [Link]
Full game: [Link]
Height / Weight: [Details]
Position: [Position]
I'd appreciate any information about your recruiting process or upcoming evaluations.
Thank you for your time.
[Your Name]
Find Football Teams and Contact Information With Cancha Labs
Athletes shouldn't have to search dozens of league websites just to find football organizations that might fit their playing level.
Cancha Labs is expanding its athlete discovery platform to help players identify professional and semi-professional football teams.
Our planned football directory will allow athletes to explore organizations by location, league, and football format.
We also plan to expand access to verified football coach and team contact information.
The searchable football directory and football contact-request feature are not yet live.
In the meantime, visit Cancha Labs to learn more about our athlete contact platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there professional football leagues besides the NFL?
Yes. The UFL, CFL, IFL, and other professional football organizations provide playing opportunities outside the NFL. These leagues have different rules, recruiting structures, and compensation models.
How do I find semi-pro football teams near me?
Start by searching official league directories for organizations in your state. Include indoor football leagues and verified regional semi-professional teams in your research.
Can I play professional football without playing in the NFL?
Yes. Some athletes compete professionally in other football leagues without ever appearing on an NFL roster. Each organization has its own evaluation and eligibility standards.
Can you play semi-pro football without going to college?
Some semi-professional teams may evaluate players without college football experience. Professional organizations generally have more competitive recruiting standards. Eligibility varies by league and team.
Do indoor football players get paid?
Some do. Established professional indoor football leagues offer paid playing opportunities, but compensation and contract terms vary by organization.
Is the UFL a professional football league?
Yes. The United Football League is a professional spring football competition operating in the United States.
Is the CFL part of the NFL?
No. The Canadian Football League is a separate professional football league with its own teams, rules, and competition structure.
Is arena football the same as semi-pro football?
No. Arena football describes a format of American football played indoors. Semi-professional describes an organization's general competitive or compensation model. Arena football teams may be professional or operate under other arrangements.
Do professional football teams hold open tryouts?
Some organizations offer public tryouts or evaluation events, but many recruit through scouting, personnel departments, agents, and invitations. Check official team announcements for current opportunities.
How can I contact a professional football coach?
Research the team's coaching and football operations staff, identify the appropriate recruiting contact, and send a professional message with your playing background and game footage.
How many professional football teams are there outside the NFL?
There is no single fixed total covering every outdoor, indoor, arena, and international league. Team counts change as organizations expand, relocate, change leagues, or cease operations.
Does Cancha Labs have a football team directory?
Cancha Labs is developing a searchable football directory to help athletes discover teams by state and league. The interactive directory is not yet available.
Official Football League Websites
United Football League (UFL)
Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arena Football One (AF1)
Canadian Football League (CFL)
Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA)
Team memberships, recruiting procedures, and competition schedules may change. Verify information with the relevant league or organization before registering for tryouts or traveling.
Cancha Labs is an independent athlete information platform and is not affiliated with the NFL, UFL, IFL, CFL, AF1, LFA, or the teams mentioned. Information on this page does not guarantee tryouts, roster positions, salaries, or professional contracts.