UFL Relocates Orlando Storm Playoff Game to Daytona Beach
The United Football League announced that the upcoming playoff matchup between the Orlando Storm and the DC Defenders will now be played at Daytona Stadium on Sunday, June 7, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and national television coverage on ABC.
The league had previously announced plans to move the game to a neutral-site venue in Columbus, Ohio, but ultimately found a solution that keeps postseason football in Central Florida.
Why the Playoff Game Was Moved
The venue change became necessary because Orlando’s home stadium, Inter&Co Stadium, was unavailable due to prior commitments involving an international soccer match.
The UFL evaluated several alternative venues throughout Florida, including Camping World Stadium, UCF’s Acrisure Bounce House, IMG Academy, and ESPN Wide World of Sports. However, logistical, operational, and scheduling challenges prevented those locations from hosting the playoff game.
After initially selecting Columbus as the backup site, league officials continued exploring options closer to Orlando fans and ultimately reached an agreement to hold the game in Daytona Beach.
League Prioritizes Orlando Fan Base
“As we said from the beginning, our preference was always to keep this game as close to our Orlando fanbase as possible,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon.
Brandon credited officials from Bethune-Cookman University, the City of Daytona Beach, ESPN, Ticketmaster, local law enforcement, and other partners for working together on an accelerated timeline to make the move possible.
The league also thanked the Columbus community and Historic Crew Stadium for their efforts in preparing to host the game.
Tickets, Giveaways, and Fan Experience
General admission tickets for the playoff game are available for $10, while Orlando Storm season ticket members will receive complimentary admission through a special redemption offer.
Fans attending the game can also look forward to:
- A playoff t-shirt giveaway for the first 5,000 fans
- Fan-friendly concession pricing
- A playoff atmosphere closer to the Storm’s Central Florida fan base
The UFL confirmed that any tickets previously purchased for the Columbus location will be automatically refunded.
Road to the 2026 United Bowl
The Orlando Storm enter the playoffs after an impressive inaugural season and will look to advance to the 2026 United Bowl, which will be played at Audi Field on June 13.
With the playoff game now remaining in Florida, the Storm will have the opportunity to compete in front of a regional fan base as they continue their pursuit of a league championship.
Source: UFL
Photo: Courtesy of the UFL
