Why not check out United States Football League (2022–2023)
United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played for three seasons, 1983 through 1985. The league played a spring/summer schedule in each of its active seasons. The 1986 season was scheduled to be played in the autumn/winter, directly competing against the long-established National Football League (NFL). However, the USFL ceased operations before that season was scheduled to begin.
Teams competed to play in the USFL Championship Game.
USFL Champions
History
Eastern Conference Teams (1985)
Prior to 1985, the Eastern Conference was split into two divisions Atlantic Division and Southern Division and in 1983 Atlantic Division played independent of any conference.
TEAMS |
SEASONS | USFL | STADIUM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
BALTIMORE STARS |
1983-1985 | 2 |  BYRD STADIUM (COLLEGE PARK, MD) (1985) |
  |
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS |
1983-1985 |  LEGION FIELD (BIRMINGHAM, AL) (1983-1985) |
|
  |
JACKSONVILLE BULLS |
1984-1985 |  GATOR BOWL (JACKSONVILLE, FL) (1984-1985) |
|
  |
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS |
1984-1985 |  LIBERTY STADIUM (MEMPHIS, TN) (1984-1985) |
|
  |
NEW JERSEY GENERALS |
1983-1985 |  GIANTS STADIUM (EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) (1983-1984) | |
  |
ORLANDO RENEGADES |
1985 |  CITRUS BOWL (ORLANDO, FL) (1985) |
|
  |
TAMPA BAY BANDITS |
1983-1985 |  TAMPA STADIUM (TAMPA, FL) (1983-1985) |
|
Western Conference Teams (1985)
Prior to 1985, the Western Conference was split into two divisions Central Division and Pacific Division and in 1983 both division played independent of any conference.
TEAMS |
SEASONS | USFL | STADIUM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
ARIZONA OUTLAWS |
1985 |  SUN DEVIL STADIUM (TEMPE, AZ) (1985) |
|
  |
DENVER GOLD |
1983-1985 |  MILE HIGH STADIUM (DENVER, CO) (1983-1985) |
|
  |
HOUSTON GAMBLERS |
1984-1985 | 
ASTRODOME (HOUSTON, TX) (1984-1985) |
|
  |
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS |
1983-1985 |  MEMORIAL COLISEUM (LOS ANGELES, CA) (1983-1985) |
|
  |
OAKLAND INVADERS |
1983-1985 |  OAKLAND-ALAMEDA COUNTY COLISEUM (OAKLAND, CA) (1983-1985) | |
  |
PORTLAND BREAKERS |
1983-1985 |  civic stadium (PORTLAND, ME) (1985) |
|
  |
SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS |
1984-1985 |  ALAMO STADIUM (SAN ANTONIO, TX) (1984-1985) |
|
FORMER/RELOCATED TEAMS
TEAMS |
SEASONS | USFL | STADIUM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
ARIZONA WRANGLERS** |
1983-1984 | SUN DEVIL STADIUM (TEMPE, AZ) (1983-1984) |
|
  |
CHICAGO BLITZ |
1983-1984 |  (SOLDIER FIELD) (CHICAGO, IL) (1983-1984) | |
  |
MICHIGAN PANTHERS* |
1983-1984 | 1 |  (PONTIAC SILVERDOME) (PONTIAC, MI) (1983-1984) |
 |
OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS** |
1984 |  SKELLY STADIUM (TULSA, OK) (1984) |
|
  |
PITTSBURGH MAULERS |
1984 |  THREE RIVERS STADIUM (PITTSBURGH, PA) (1984) | |
  |
WASHINGTON FEDERALS |
1983-1984 |  RFK STADIUM (WASHINGTON, DC) (1983-1984) |
|
USFL Championship Title
* - Michigan Panthers (1983-1984) merged with Oakland for the 1985 season.
** - Arizona Wranglers & Oklahoma Outlaws merged to become Arizona Outlaws for the 1985 season.
Team Profiles
Arizona Wranglers (1983, 1984; Arizona and Chicago traded players)
Team HistoryArizona Wranglers / Arizona Outlaws (1983–1985)
Team History
- Arizona Wranglers (1983–1984)
- Arizona Outlaws (1985)
Stadiums
- Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Western Conference (1983–1985)
- Pacific Division (1983–1985)
- Western Conference (1983–1985)
Conference Championships: 2
- Western Conference Championship: 1984
Playoff Appearances: 1
Baltimore / Philadelphia Stars (1983–1985)
Team History
- Philadelphia Stars (1983–1984)
- Baltimore Stars (1985)
Stadiums
- Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA (1983–1984)
- Franklin Field, Philadelphia, PA (1984 postseason)
- Byrd Stadium, College Park, MD (1985)
League Titles: 1
Conference Championship: 1
- Western Conference: 1984
Conference / Division Titles: 2
- Atlantic Division: 1983
- Western Conference: 1985
Playoff Appearances: 3
Birmingham Stallions (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Eastern Conference (1983–1985)
- Central Division (1983)
- Southern Division (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1983–1985)
Stadiums
- Legion Field, Birmingham, AL (1983–1985)
Division Titles: 2
- Southern: 1984, 1985
Playoff Appearances: 3
Chicago Blitz (1983–1984)
Stadiums
- Soldier Field, Chicago, IL (1983–1984)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1984)
- Western Conference (1985)
- Central Division (1983–1984)
- Western Conference (1985)
Boston / New Orleans / Portland Breakers
Team History
- Boston Breakers (1983)
- New Orleans Breakers (1984)
- Portland Breakers (1985)
Stadiums
- Nickerson Field, Boston, MA (1983)
- Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA (1984)
- Civic Stadium, Portland, OR (1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Eastern Conference (1984)
- Western Conference (1985)
- Atlantic Division (1983)
- Southern Division (1984)
Denver Gold (1983–1985)
Stadiums
- Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Western Conference (1985)
- Pacific Division (1983–1985)
- Western Conference (1985)
Houston Gamblers (1984–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1984–1985)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
- Central Division (1984)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
Stadiums
- Astrodome, Houston, TX (1984–1985)
Division Titles: 1
- Central: 1984
Playoff Appearances: 2
Jacksonville Bulls (1984–1985)
Stadiums
- Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, FL (1984–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Eastern Conference (1984–1985)
- Southern Division (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984–1985)
Los Angeles Express (1983–1985)
Stadiums
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
- Pacific Division (1983–1984)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
Division Titles: 1
- Pacific: 1984
Playoff Appearances: 2
Memphis Showboats (1984–1985)
Stadiums
- Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN (1984–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1984–1985)
- Eastern Conference (1984–1985)
- Southern Division (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984–1985)
Playoff Appearances: 1
Michigan Panthers (1983–1984)
Team History
- Michigan Panthers (1983–1984)
- Merged with Oakland Invaders (1985)
Stadiums
- Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI (1983–1984)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1984)
- Western Conference (1984)
- Central Division (1983–1984)
- Western Conference (1984)
League Titles: 1
- USFL Championship Game: 1983
Division Titles: 1
- Central Division: 1983
Playoff Appearances: 2
New Jersey Generals (1983–1985)
Stadiums
- Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Eastern Conference (1984–1985)
- Atlantic Division (1983–1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984–1985)
Playoff Appearances: 2
Oakland Invaders (1983–1985)
Stadiums
- Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1983–1985)
- Western Conference (1984)
- Pacific Division (1983–1984)
- Western Conference (1984)
Conference / Division Titles: 2
- Pacific Division: 1983
- Western Conference: 1985
Playoff Appearances: 2
Orlando Renegades (1985)
Team History
- Washington Federals (1983–1984)
- Orlando Renegades (1985)
Stadiums
- RFK Stadium, Washington, DC (1983–1984)
- Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL (1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984)
- Atlantic Division (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984)
Pittsburgh Maulers (1984)
Stadiums
- Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA (1984)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984)
- Atlantic Division (1984)
- Eastern Conference (1984)
San Antonio Gunslingers (1984–1985)
Stadiums
- Alamo Stadium, San Antonio, TX (1984–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1984–1985)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
- Central Division (1984)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
Playoff Appearances: 1
Tampa Bay Bandits (1983–1985)
Stadiums
- Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FL (1983–1985)
League / Conference Affiliations
- United States Football League (1984–1985)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
- Central Division (1983)
- Southern Division (1984)
- Western Conference (1984–1985)
Playoff Appearances: 2
HISTORY
| Season | Team | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Arizona Wranglers Birmingham Stallions Boston Breakers Chicago Blitz Denver Gold Los Angeles Express Michigan Panthers New Jersey Generals Oakland Invaders Philadelphia Stars Tampa Bay Bandits Washington Federals |
Founding Members of the league | |
| 1984 | Houston Gamblers (E) Jacksonville Bulls (E) Memphis Showboats (E) Oklahoma Outlaws (E) Pittsburgh Maulers (E) San Antonio Gunslingers (E) |
||
| Boston Breakers | New Orleans Breakers | ||
| 1985 | Arizona Wranglers & Oklahoma Outlaws | Arizona Outlaws | |
| Michigan Panthers | Oakland Invaders | ||
| New Orleans Breakers | Portland Breakers | ||
| Philadelphia Stars | Baltimore Stars | ||
| Washington Federals | Orlando Renegades | ||
| Chicago Blitz | Folded | ||
| Pittsburgh Maulers | Folded |
Divisional History
- 1983 USFL Season
- Atlantic Division
- Central Division
- Pacific Division
- 1984 USFL Season
- Eastern Conference
- Atlantic Division
- Southern Division
- Western Conference
- Central Division
- Pacific Division
- Eastern Conference
- 1985 USFL Season
- Eastern Conference
- Western Conference
Seasons
1985 USFL Season
STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | |
| 1 | |
Birmingham Stallions | 18 | 13-5 |
| 2 | |
New Jersey Generals | 18 | 14-4 |
| 3 | |
Memphis Showboats | 18 | 11-7 |
| 4 | |
Baltimore Stars | 18 | 10-7-1 |
| 5 | |
Tampa Bay Bandits | 18 | 10-8 |
| 6 | |
Jacksonville Bulls | 18 | 9-9 |
| 7 | |
Orlando Renegades | 18 | 5-13 |
| Western Conference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | |
| 1 | |
Oakland Invaders | 18 | 13-4-1 |
| 2 | |
Denver Gold | 18 | 11-7 |
| 3 | |
Houston Gamblers | 18 | 10-8 |
| 4 | |
Arizona Outlaws | 18 | 8-10 |
| 5 | |
Portland Breakers | 18 | 6-12 |
| 6 | |
San Antonio Gunslingers | 18 | 5-13 |
| 7 | |
Los Angeles Express | 18 | 3-15 |
1985 SEASON PLAYOFFS
Playoff Teams: Birmingham, New Jersey, Memphis, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Oakland, Denver, Houston
Quarterfinals
Houston Gamblers 20, Birmingham Stallions 22
Memphis Showboats 48, Denver Gold 7
Oakland Invaders 30, Tampa Bay Bandits 27
Baltimore Stars 20, New Jersey Generals 17
Semifinals
Baltimore Stars 28, Birmingham Stallions 14
Oakland Invaders 28, Memphis Showboats 19
1985 USFL Championship Game
Baltimore Stars 28, Oakland Invaders 24
Notes: Final completed USFL season. The Stars won their second straight title after relocating from Philadelphia.
1984 USFL Season
STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Division | ||||
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | |
| 1 | |
Philadelphia Stars | 18 | 16-2 |
| 2 | |
New Jersey Generals | 18 | 14-4 |
| 3 | |
Pittsburgh Maulers | 18 | 3-15 |
| 4 | |
Washington Federals | 18 | 3-15 |
| Southern Division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | ||
| 1 | |
Birmingham Stallions | 18 | 14-4 | |
| 2 | |
Tampa Bay Bandits | 18 | 14-4 | |
| 3 |  |
New Orleans Breakers | 18 | 8-10 | |
| 4 | |
Memphis Showboats | 18 | 12-6 | |
| 5 | |
Jacksonville Bulls | 18 | 6-12 | |
| Western Conference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Division | ||||
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | |
| 1 | |
Houston Gamblers | 18 | 13-5 |
| 2 | |
Michigan Panthers | 18 | 10-8 |
| 3 | |
San Antonio Gunslingers | 10 | 7-11 |
| 4 | |
Oklahoma Outlaws | 18 | 6-12 |
| 5 | |
Chicago Blitz | 18 | 5-13 |
| Pacific Division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | ||
| 1 | |
Los Angeles Express | 18 | 10-8 | |
| 2 | |
Arizona Wranglers | 18 | 10-8 | |
| 3 | |
Denver Gold | 18 | 9-9 | |
| 4 | |
Oakland Invaders | 18 | 9-9 | |
1984 Season Playoffs
Playoff Teams: Philadelphia, New Jersey, Birmingham, Tampa Bay, Houston, Michigan, Los Angeles, Arizona
Divisional playoffs
Philadelphia Stars 28, New Jersey Generals 7
Los Angeles Express 27, Michigan Panthers 21 (3OT)
Birmingham Stallions 36, Tampa Bay Bandits 17
Arizona Wranglers 17, Houston Gamblers 16
Conference Championships
Arizona Wranglers 35, Los Angeles Express 23
Philadelphia Stars 20, Birmingham Stallions 10
1984 USFL Championship Game
Philadelphia Stars 23, Arizona Wranglers 3
Notes: League expanded to 18 teams. The Stars established themselves as the league’s top franchise.
1983 USFL Season
STANDINGS
| Atlantic Division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | ||
| 1 | |
Philadelphia Stars | 18 | 15-3 | |
| 2 | |
Boston Breakers | 18 | 11-7 | |
| 3 | |
New Jersey Generals | 18 | 6-12 | |
| 4 | |
Washington Federals | 18 | 4-14 | |
| Central Division | |||||
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | ||
| 1 | |
Michigan Panthers | 18 | 12-6 | |
| 2 | |
Chicago Blitz | 18 | 12-6 | |
| 3 | |
Tampa Bay Bandits | 18 | 11-7 | |
| 4 | |
Birmingham Stallions | 18 | 9-9 | |
| South Division | |||||
| RK | TEAM | GP | REC | ||
| 1 | |
Oakland Invaders | 18 | 9-9 | |
| 2 | |
Los Angeles Express | 18 | 8-10 | |
| 3 | |
Denver Gold | 18 | 7-11 | |
| 4 | |
Arizona Wranglers | 18 | 4-14 | |
1983 Season Playoffs
Playoff Teams: Philadelphia, Boston, Michigan, Chicago, Oakland
Divisional playoffs
Philadelphia Stars 44, Chicago Blitz 38 (OT)
Michigan Panthers 37, Oakland Invaders 21
1983 USFL Championship Game
Michigan Panthers 24, Philadelphia Stars 22
Notes: Inaugural USFL season. Michigan won the first championship in league history.
PLAYOFFS
| SEASON | ROUND | WINNER | SCORE | LOSER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Divisional playoffs |
Philadelphia Stars |
44 VS 38(OT) | Chicago Blitz |
MICHIGAN PANTHERS |
37 VS 21 | Oakland Invaders |
||
| 1984 | Divisional playoffs |
Philadelphia Stars |
28 VS 7 | New Jersey Generals |
Los Angeles Express |
27 VS 21(3OT) | MICHIGAN PANTHERS |
||
Birmingham Stallions |
36 VS 17 | Tampa Bay Bandits |
||
Arizona Wranglers |
17 @ 16 | Houston Gamblers |
||
| WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP |
Arizona Wranglers |
35 @ 23 | Los Angeles Express |
|
| EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP |
Philadelphia Stars |
20 VS 10 | Birmingham Stallions |
|
| 1985 | Quarterfinals | Birmingham Stallions |
22 VS 20 | Houston Gamblers |
Memphis Showboats |
48 VS 7 | Denver Gold |
||
Oakland Invaders |
30 VS 27 | Tampa Bay Bandits |
||
Baltimore Stars |
20 @ 17 | New Jersey Generals |
||
| Semifinals | Baltimore Stars |
28 @ 14 | Birmingham Stallions |
|
Oakland Invaders |
28 @ 19 | Memphis Showboats |
USFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
| SEASON | DATE | WINNER | SCORE | LOSER | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 17 JULY 1983 |
MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1) |
24-22 | PHILADELPHIA STARS |
mile high Stadium denver,co |
| 1984 | 2 15 JULY 1984 |
PHILADELPHIA STARS (1) |
23 - 3 | Arizona WranglERS |
tampa Stadium tampa,fl |
| 1985 | 3 14 JULY 1985 |
BALTIMORE STARS (2) |
28 - 12 | Oakland InvadERS |
giants Stadium EAST RUTHERFORD, nj |
Championship Standings
| Team | REC | A | RT | RA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Stars | 2-1 | 3 | 1985 | 1985 |
| Michigan Panthers | 1-0 | 1 | 1983 | 1983 |
| Arizona Wranglers | 0-1 | 1 | 1984 | |
| Oakland Invaders | 0-1 | 1 | 1985 | |