Report: USL's North Carolina FC won't field team in 2026
Mar 22, 2025; Cary, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Courage owner Steve Malik speaks during the induction of former player Jessica McDonald into the Ring of Honor at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images North Carolina FC will not field a team in the UFL Championship in 2026, The Athletic reported Tuesday.
Players were informed of the news this week as the club prepares to host a playoff game on Saturday against Rhode Island FC in Cary, N.C.
NCFC, which finished third in the Eastern Conference this season, is expected to finish out the postseason, per the report.
All players under contract will be released after the season and can sign elsewhere. Those with guaranteed deals will receive about two months' salary, per the report.
The team and the USL declined to comment on the report.
Steve Malik, who also owns the NWSL's North Carolina Courage, has owned North Carolina FC since 2015.
The team was founded in 2007 as the Carolina Railhawks before being rebranded in 2017.
--Field Level Media
Why Mark DeRosa Should Never Work in Baseball Again
What Is the College Basketball Crown and Why It’s Struggling
Miami (OH) vs SMU Prediction: Best Bet for NCAA Play-In Game
MLB Home Run Leader Future Picks: Best Bets for 2026 Season
Early NFL Free Agency Winners and Moves That Stand Out
- Top NBA Picks for Today: Thunder vs Magic, Cavs vs Bucks, Nuggets vs 76ers
- Best Future Bets for MLB Strikeout Leader: Crochet, Gilbert, and Cease
- Top NBA Picks Today: Betting Predictions for Monday’s NBA Slate
- Best NCAA Tournament Championship Future Betting Picks Before Selection Sunday
- Sunday NBA Odds and Betting Picks for March 15th
- UFC Vegas 114 Betting Preview: Three Best Bets for Fight Night
- Free NBA Picks for March 14: Three Bets to Target
