DUNEDIN HIGHLANDERS ANNOUNCE MOVE TO THE UFL FOR 2026 SEASON

DUNEDIN, FL, USA — The Dunedin Highlanders are proud to officially announce that we will be joining the Universal Football League (UFL) for the 2026 season.

This decision follows a highly successful inaugural year in the EAFL (Elite American Football League), where The Highlanders posted an 8-4 record and reached Round 2 of the playoffs in the AA division. With the EAFL transitioning to a AAA-only format in 2026, our organization evaluated several options and determined that the UFL offers the best opportunity for our continued growth and competition, at this time.

"As a second-year program, joining the UFL provides a strong foundation and the right environment for our next chapter,” said Chris Housholder, General Manager of The Highlanders. “We’re extremely proud of what our players accomplished in our first season, and we’re confident that this move positions us for even greater success and growth.”

The Highlanders also recently announced the hiring of Darien Bell as the team’s new head coach for the 2026 season. His leadership, experience, and vision align perfectly with the organization’s goals moving forward, and our Senior Leadership Team will work in a proactive partnership with Coach Bell to retool the roster heading into Season 2.

“We want to personally thank EAFL Commissioner Michael Torres and the entire EAFL staff for the opportunity to compete during our first season,” Housholder added. “We thoroughly enjoyed making some noise in year one. While we’re excited about competing in the UFL, we’ll never close the door on a return to the EAFL in the future.”

The Highlanders remain committed to our fans, players, and the greater Dunedin community, and look forward to building on our early momentum we enter this exciting new phase.

Stay connected to official Dunedin Highlanders website www.HighlandersFB.com and major social media platforms @HighlandersFB for offseason updates, player announcements, and the release of the 2026 UFL schedule.

About the Dunedin Highlanders:

Founded in 2024, the Dunedin Highlanders are a pro developmental football team dedicated to excellence, growth, and community pride. After a breakout inaugural season in the EAFL, the team is poised to take its next step in the UFL under new Head Coach Darien Bell.

Registration for Season 2 (2026 Season) is open. Visit www.HighlandersFB.com for more info.