Breaking Down the Four USFL Hub Stadiums

Last week the USFL finalized the landscape up their upcoming season when they officially named Canton, OH and Detroit, MI as the final two hub cities. This is contrast to season 1, where the league hosted the full season in Birmingham, AL.

With the strategic expansion in place, we wanted to take a chance to take a look at all of the hub stadiums the league will be utilizing in 2023.

Birmingham, AL – Protective Stadium

Capacity: 47,100

Last year Protective Stadium most of the USFL season, so it would only make sense that the league would return for season 2. This time around Protective Stadium will serve as home to the Birmingham Stallions and New Orleans Breakers.

Protective Stadium is the newwest of the USFL hub stadiums, opening on October 2, 2021. The stadium replaced Legion Field as the home of the UAB Blazers football program. Speaking of Legion, it looks as if they’re not going to be in the mix for season 2. There were a handful of games played of of Legion last year due to sceduling conflicts with the World Games.

The season opener between the Birmingham Stallions and New Jersey Generals is currently the tenth most attended event at Protective, pulling in 17,500 people. With a championship under their belt, there’s a good chance the Stallions beat their previous attendance record.

Canton, OH – Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

Capacity: 23,000

Canton, OH is the only host city on this list that currently doesn’t have a local team. The closest in proximity to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is the Pittsburgh Maulers. Conicidentally (or not), the stadium is set to host the Maulers and New Jersey Generals this year. Although neither team is dedicated to Canton, Pittsburgh is roughly 90 minutes away. If Pittsburgh can turn things around, we think there’s a good chance fans make the drive.

This isn’t the first time that the USFL has stepped foot in Tom Benson. Last year the league hosted their Playoffs and Championship in…