Milwaukee Pro Football team withdraws plans to enter Continental Football League in 2027

Updated Nov. 9, 2026:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The planned Milwaukee Pro Football team has formally withdrawn plans for a proposed 2027 Continental Football League (COFL) launch. 

Organizers say the team has no current affiliation with the COFL and will not participate in the league's 2027 season. 

In a statement the team said:

"Milwaukee Football Development, Inc. remains active and continues to build and grow its football development work in Milwaukee. Its team subsidiary, Milwaukee Pro Football, LLC, also remains active. Our founders are evaluating future league and development options. No new league affiliation or team launch agreement is in place."

As of now, neither Milwaukee Pro Football nor Milwaukee Football Development has a corporate ownership, partnership, or development affiliation with any newly announced Milwaukee professional football program operated by other parties. 

Published: Sept. 18, 2026

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee could soon have a new professional football team. The Continental Football League plans to bring an expansion team to Milwaukee in 2027, with six games scheduled between May and July.

“Milwaukee has been starving for some type of a pro football sports team,” team president Ahmed Hollowell said.

Milwaukee has not had an outdoor professional football team since the Packers played their final home game at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1994.

The new team would play three home games, with potential locations including American Family Field, Hart Park, the Milwaukee Mile and Veterans Park.

Hollowell said the organization is looking for support from the community as it prepares for the team's arrival.

“We’re looking for sponsorships, we’re looking for partnerships, we’re looking for ticketholders,” he said.

The community will also have a role in choosing the team's name. A survey is being used to gather suggestions for a name or nickname.

“We have a survey out for the team name, that we’re looking for a name or nickname for the team,” Hollowell said.

The organization says it wants to make professional football accessible to families who may not be able to travel to Green Bay to see the Packers.

“You have the moms who have sons who want to come and see professional football but may not be able to go up to Green Bay; they may be able to come to our games and make it affordable,” Hollowell said.

The team also comes with a community focus. Organizers say 10% of ticket sales and business partnerships will go back into the community, including youth sports.

Milwaukee Football Community Association Chair Makayla Butler said community involvement is a key part of the project.

“Making sure the community knows that we’re serious about this, making sure they know that this is something that will be happening and making sure they know they have input on what is coming to their community,” Butler said.

Milwaukee has seen professional sports projects announced in the past that ultimately did not come to fruition. Hollowell said the organization wants this project to have staying power.

t, it pops up, it happens, and then it’s gone. We’ve had that before. So that’s not something we’re looking for, we’re looking for long-term success,” Hollowell said.

Tryouts are scheduled for January. To help decide on a team name or home field, click here.