{{short description|Sports league}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox sports league | logo = Ultimate Frisbee Association Icon.png | logo_size = 220px | title = Ultimate Frisbee Association | current_season = | sport = Ultimate frisbee | founded = 2010 | inaugural = 2012 | teams = 22 | champion = Boston Glory | champ_season = 2025 | most_champs = New York Empire (3) | country = United States (20 teams) <br/> Canada (2 teams) | website = [https://watchufa.com/ watchufa.com] | TV = watchUFA.tv }}
The '''Ultimate Frisbee Association''' ('''UFA''') is a professional ultimate frisbee league in North America.<ref>[http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/races-sports/the-lowest-paid-athletes-in-all-of-professional-sports-20141125 "The Lowest Paid Athletes in All of Professional Sports"], Men's Journal, Evan Grossman, November 25, 2014.</ref> The league comprises 22 teams divided between the South, Central, East, and West divisions. Each UFA season has 12 regular season games which run from April to July. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the top three teams from every division advance to the playoffs, a single elimination tournament that culminates in a final four style showcase known as the UFA Championship Weekend,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=2023 AUDL Championship Weekend |url=https://watchufa.com/league/championship2023 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=WatchUFA |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117194253/https://watchufa.com/league/championship2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which is contested in late August over two days.
The UFA was founded in 2012 as the '''American Ultimate Disc League''' ('''AUDL'''),<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2018-02-06 |title=About the UFA™ |url=https://watchufa.com/league/about |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref> before renaming itself the Ultimate Frisbee Association for the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=The World's Largest Professional Ultimate League is Now the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/rebrand |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref>
The New York Empire hold the most championships with three titles. The reigning league champions are the Boston Glory, who defeated the Minnesota Wind Chill by a score of 17-15 in the 2025 UFA Championship Game.
==History==
=== Founding and inaugural season === The UFA was founded by Josh Moore in 2012 as the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL).<ref name=":1" />
The first AUDL game was won by the Connecticut Constitution on April 14, 2012, over the Rhode Island Rampage by a score of 29 to 23, and the first goal was scored by Brent Anderson of the Constitution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Week 1 Results |url=http://theaudl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:week-1&catid=13:featured-news&Itemid=71 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001043136/http://theaudl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:week-1&catid=13:featured-news&Itemid=71 |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |access-date=April 16, 2012 |work=American Ultimate Disc League}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2024}} The first championship was held on August 11, 2012, and was won by the Philadelphia Spinners by a score of 29 to 22 over the Indianapolis AlleyCats.
In the first season, the league consisted of eight teams broken into the Eastern and Western conferences. Jonathan "Goose" Helton of the AlleyCats was named league MVP for the inaugural season. Helton, alongside Evan Boucher, Cameron Brock, Rob Dulabon, Dave Hochholter, John Korber, and Jake Rainwater were named to the first All-AUDL Team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-14 |title=2012 Season Index |url=https://theaudl.com/league/stat-index/2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516192348/https://theaudl.com/league/stat-index/2012 |archive-date=2021-05-16 |website=AUDL}}</ref>
===2012 lawsuit=== In May 2012, the AUDL announced its plans for expansion for the following season, including franchises in New Jersey, New York, and Boston. Owners of the Connecticut Constitution and Rhode Island Rampage contended that the Boston and New York franchises impinged upon their Territory Licensing Agreements, which specified a non-compete radius of 100 miles. Separately, the league compensated the Philadelphia Spinners for the encroachment of the New Jersey and New York franchises. Negotiations between the Constitution, the Rampage, and the league reached an impasse in early June and the franchises' owners threatened legal action. The league preemptively sued the owners on June 17. As negotiations wore on, the league (at least twice) offered various settlements to the owners of the Constitution and the Rampage, but those offers were rejected. On July 5, the Constitution suspended team operations due to legal fees, missing two games. The league then fined the team the maximum fine of $10,000 per game, which Constitution owner Bryan Ricci called "severe and excessive" and refused to pay. Both the Constitution and Rampage had games cancelled near the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2012/07/19/a-timeline-of-the-audl-lawsuit-how-did-we-get-here/ | title = A Timeline of the AUDL Lawsuit: How Did We Get Here?| work = Ultiworld | date = July 19, 2012| access-date = August 14, 2015}}</ref> The Constitution would have earned a playoff berth but were disqualified due to their unpaid fines and the Rampage advanced in their place, losing to the Philadelphia Spinners in the Division final.
In December 2012, the league and team owners reached a settlement. Details of the settlement are unknown due to a non-disclosure agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2012/12/12/audl-settles-lawsuit-with-connnecticut-and-rhode-island-franchises/| title = AUDL Settles Lawsuit With Connnecticut and Rhode Island Franchises| work = Ultiworld | date = December 13, 2012| access-date = August 14, 2015}}</ref> Neither the Rampage nor the Connecticut Constitution returned to the AUDL in 2013.
===2013–2023=== For the 2013 season, the Indianapolis AlleyCats and the Detroit Mechanix were the only teams from the 2012 season to remain in their cities, while the Bluegrass Revolution relocated from Lexington, KY to Cincinnati, OH and the Buffalo Hunters relocated and rebranded as the Rochester Dragons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skydmagazine.com/2012/10/philadelphia-spinners-leave-audl/ |title=Philadelphia Spinners Leave AUDL |work=Skyd Magazine |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> Even with only four teams left, the league still managed to expand to twelve teams overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaudl.com/network/teams/ |title=AUDL Teams |work=American Ultimate Disc League |access-date=April 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119061015/http://theaudl.com/network/teams/ |archive-date=January 19, 2013 }}</ref>
In 2014, the league expanded to 17 teams, including the introduction of the West Division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2013/10/25/audl-announces-2014-expansion-west-coast-montreal/ |title=AUDL Announces 2014 Expansion To West Coast, Montreal | publisher = Ultiworld | date = October 25, 2013 | access-date = November 25, 2014}}</ref> The league also reached a multi-year broadcasting deal with ESPN3 that covered 14 regular season games, a playoff game, and the Championship Weekend.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/espn |title=AUDL Signs Multi-Year Broadcast Agreement with ESPN |work=American Ultimate Disc League |access-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508070453/http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/espn |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2015, the league expanded to 25 teams. The new expansion teams consisted of the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds, Ottawa Outlaws, Los Angeles Aviators, San Diego Growlers, Jacksonville Cannons, Nashville NightWatch, Raleigh Flyers, Atlanta Hustle, and Charlotte Express. In March 2015, the Salt Lake Lions announced that they would be suspending operations for the entire 2015 season; leaving the West Conference with only 6 teams. In October 2015, the AUDL announced that the Lions franchise had been bought back by the league, making that hiatus permanent. In the same announcement, the league welcomed the Austin Sol and Dallas Roughnecks to the South Division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2015/10/08/austin-dallas-joining-audls-south-division-in-2016/ |title=Austin, Dallas Joining AUDL's South Division in 2016 | publisher = Ultiworld | date = October 8, 2015 | access-date = October 29, 2015}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the AUDL announced that the Rochester Dragons franchise was also being contracted and that the league was again hoping to start a franchise in the Boston area.<ref name="AUDL">{{cite web |url=http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/DragonsFranchiseContracted |title=AUDL Announces Contraction of Rochester Dragons Franchise |publisher=AUDL |date=October 29, 2015 |access-date=October 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031201950/http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/DragonsFranchiseContracted |archive-date=October 31, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Also in 2015, the Raleigh Flyers of the AUDL signed the first ever female professional ultimate player, Jessi Jones, to play in their game against the Nashville Nightwatch. Jones, who was a team USA U-23 player in 2013, was signed as part of "Women's Ultimate Day".<ref>{{cite web|title = Raleigh Flyers Sign First-Ever Female Pro Ultimate Player {{!}} Livewire {{!}} Ultiworld|url = http://ultiworld.com/livewire/raleigh-flyers-sign-first-female-pro-ultimate-player/|access-date = August 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ultiworld2">{{cite web|url=https://ultiworld.com/2017/03/24/first-female-player-jesse-shofner-makes-nashville-nightwatch-roster/ |title=In First For Female Player, Jesse Shofner Makes Nashville Nightwatch Roster |publisher=Ultiworld |date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref>
In September 2016, the Cincinnati Revolution and the Charlotte Express announced they would be ceasing operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2016/09/02/audls-cincinnati-revolution-charlotte-express-cease-operations/|title=AUDL's Cincinnati Revolution, Charlotte Express Cease Operations|last=Eisenhood |first=Charlie |date=September 2, 2016|website=Ultiworld|access-date=July 25, 2025}}</ref>
In the 2017 season, Jesse Shofner was selected to the roster for the Nashville Nightwatch, which made her the first female player to make a full season AUDL roster.<ref name="ultiworld2"/> Shofner subsequently scored two goals in the Nightwatch's first game of the 2017 season, making her the first woman to do so in any AUDL game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2017 |title=AUDL Throwaround: Shofner Makes History, Ugly Jersey Effect, Polk On SportsCenter |url=https://ultiworld.com/2017/04/04/audl-throwaround-shofner-makes-history-ugly-jersey-effect-polk-sportscenter// |access-date=April 6, 2017 |website=Ultiworld}}</ref>
Before the 2018 season, the Vancouver Riptide announced they would be leaving Vancouver.
Before the 2019 season, the Nashville Nightwatch and the San Francisco FlameThrowers announced they would be ceasing operations.
On December 4, 2019, the league announced that a new Boston franchise (later named the Boston Glory) would join the league for the 2020 season, its first expansion since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eisenhood |first1=Charlie |title=AUDL Adds Boston Franchise In First Expansion Since 2016 |url=https://ultiworld.com/2019/12/04/audl-adds-boston-franchise-first-expansion-since-2016/ |website=Ultiworld |date=December 4, 2019 |access-date=December 22, 2019}}</ref> That same day, the league announced a divisional realignment plan that saw the Midwest renamed the Central, the dissolution of the South into a combo South-East Atlantic Division, and the two Texas teams moving to the West division, among other moves.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 AUDL Divisional Realignment |url=https://theaudl.com/league/news/2020-audl-division-realignment |website=American Ultimate Disc League |access-date=December 22, 2019 |date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128224548/https://theaudl.com/league/news/2020-audl-division-realignment |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=2020canceled>{{cite web |title=AUDL Cancels 2020 Season |url=https://theaudl.com/league/news/2020-audl-season-cancelled-covid |website=AUDL |access-date=10 July 2020 |date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128224600/https://theaudl.com/league/news/2020-audl-season-cancelled-covid |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Due to COVID-related travel restrictions, in the 2021 season the three Canadian teams played in an independent series, the Canada Cup. The 19 U.S. teams competed in three divisions: Atlantic, Central, and West. The Boston Glory and the New York Empire moved from the East Division, which did not exist in 2021, to the Atlantic Division.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-05|title=AUDL Exec. Council Approves Return To Play For 2021|url=https://www.theaudl.com/league/news/audl-2021-season-announcement-june-start-fox-sports-one|access-date=2021-05-23|website=AUDL|language=en|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523215039/https://www.theaudl.com/league/news/audl-2021-season-announcement-june-start-fox-sports-one|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In December 2021, the league announced three new franchises, the Colorado Summit, Salt Lake Shred, and Portland Nitro.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-30|title=Colorado, Salt Lake, Portland To Join West In 2022|url=https://theaudl.com/league/news/2021-audl-three-expansion-teams-colorado-summit-salt-lake-shred-portland|access-date=2022-01-14|website=AUDL|language=en|archive-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114001629/https://theaudl.com/league/news/2021-audl-three-expansion-teams-colorado-summit-salt-lake-shred-portland|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-11|title=Portland Nitro Join West Division In 2022|url=https://theaudl.com/league/news/2022-audl-portland-nitro-name-announcement|access-date=2022-01-14|website=AUDL|language=en|archive-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114001641/https://theaudl.com/league/news/2022-audl-portland-nitro-name-announcement|url-status=dead}}</ref> With the addition of these teams the divisions were realigned, with a new South division in place of the Atlantic division.<ref name="realign2022">{{Cite web|date=2021-11-30|title=AUDL Will Return To Four Divisions In 2022|url=https://theaudl.com/league/news/2022-audl-divisional-realignment|access-date=2022-01-21|website=AUDL|language=en|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121195403/https://theaudl.com/league/news/2022-audl-divisional-realignment|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in December 2021, the Dallas Roughnecks announced that they were rebranding as the Dallas Legion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-15|title=Dallas Announces New Branding and Staff Changes|url=https://theaudl.com/league/news/2021-dallas-legion-announces-new-branding-staff-changes|access-date=2022-01-13|website=AUDL|language=en|archive-date=January 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113233636/https://theaudl.com/league/news/2021-dallas-legion-announces-new-branding-staff-changes|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2022, the San Jose Spiders announced a move to nearby Oakland.<ref>{{cite web |title=After 6 Years, 2 Championships, and Many Memories, the Spiders Are Moving to Oakland |url=https://oaklandspiders.com/blogs/news/oakland-spiders |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214200701/https://oaklandspiders.com/blogs/news/oakland-spiders |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |access-date=11 February 2022 |website=Oakland Spiders}}</ref>
After the 2022 season, the league announced the addition of the Houston Havoc, and the departure of the Tampa Bay Cannons and Ottawa Outlaws.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=Houston Set To Join League In 2023 |url=https://www.theaudl.com/league/news/2022-audl-houston-expansion-tampa-bay-ottawa-contraction |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=AUDL |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120011641/https://www.theaudl.com/league/news/2022-audl-houston-expansion-tampa-bay-ottawa-contraction |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-14 |title=Houston Havoc Announced For 2023 Season |url=https://www.theaudl.com/league/news/2023-audl-houston-havoc-team-announced |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=AUDL |language=en |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229042032/https://www.theaudl.com/league/news/2023-audl-houston-havoc-team-announced |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== 2024 rebranding === On January 17, 2024 the league announced it was rebranding as the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). The league partnered with Sport Dimension Inc. (SDI), owner of the Wham-O brand family which includes the Frisbee trademark to license the name for use across the league. Multiple new logos were designed as part of the league's new brand identity. In 2024 the UFA announced it would be streaming the "Super Series", top weekly games for free, live on YouTube.
After the 2024 season, the Portland Nitro changed their name to the Oregon Steel,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-15 |title=Oregon Steel |url=https://watchufa.com/league/steel |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref> and the Dallas Legion suspended operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Dallas Legion Suspend Operations Following 2024 Season |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/2024-ufa-dallas-legion-suspend-operations |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref> In January 2025 the league announced a division realignment<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=New Divisional Alignment Set For 2025 UFA Season |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/new-divisional-alignment-set-2025-ufa-season |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref> and the addition of the Vegas Bighorns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-02 |title=Ultimate Frisbee Association Welcomes Expansion Vegas Bighorns For 2025 |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/2025-ufa-vegas-bighorns-expansion-team-announcement |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref>
After the 2025 season, the Detroit Mechanix and the Los Angeles Aviators left the league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-12 |title=Detroit And Los Angeles Suspend Team Operations Following 2025 Season |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/2025-ufa-detroit-mechanix-los-angeles-aviators-suspend-team-operations |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref> The Colorado Summit changed its name to the Colorado Apex,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-01 |title=Colorado Summit Rebrands As Colorado Apex Ahead Of 2026 Season |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/2025-ufa-colorado-summit-rename-colorado-apex |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref> and the Bighorns changed divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-05 |title=2026 Division Alignment |url=https://watchufa.com/league/news/2026-ufa-divisional-alignment |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=WatchUFA |language=en}}</ref>
==Rules== {{Further|Ultimate (sport)#Rules}}
The UFA features a number of rule changes from the traditional set of rules laid out and established by USA Ultimate (USAU) and the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF).
The field area is expanded to {{frac|53|1|3}} yards wide and 80 yards long with 20-yard end zones (the same size as an American football field, but with the end zones taking up twice as much of the field as in American football). Games are timed with four-quarters of 12 minutes each, including a 15-minute halftime. If the score is tied, a five-minute overtime period is played. If the score remains tied after overtime, a second overtime is played in which the first team to score wins.
Notable changes from the USAU format include the use of referees who count the stall and call all fouls, a drop in the stall count from 10 seconds to 7, a ten-yard penalty for most fouls and violations (such as travelling), the addition of "flagrant" and "technical" fouls, and no prohibition against double-team marking.<ref name="2026-rulebook">{{cite web |title=UFA Rule Book 2026 |url=https://watchufa.com/sites/default/files/UFA%20Rule%20Book%202026.pdf |access-date=April 27, 2026 |website=WatchUFA.com }}</ref> While different from the USAU and WFDF rules, many of these changes were also seen in the MLU.
==Teams== The UFA consists of 22 teams, all based in North America, divided into four geographic divisions. During the regular season, each team is allowed an unlimited number of players on its roster; for each game, the team must pick between 12 and 20 of these to be active/rostered (eligible to play).<ref name="2026-rulebook" />
===Active teams=== <!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please do not change the nickname display to locale names without explaining your rationale. An existing rationale says not every team's locale name is its city, and it would look tacky to mark a team as their locale when there may be another team in the same locale. For example, if a second Los Angeles team enters the league, it isn't helpful to have two points labeled "Los Angeles". Therefore, before you change the display to locale names, please provide a rationale. Thank you. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> {{OSM Location map |nolabels=1 |width=700 |height=375 |coord={{coord|38|-97}} |zoom=4 |shapeD=circle |shape-outlineD=black |mark-sizeD=8 |label-sizeD=11,background,outline |label-posD=right
|legendBox=<b> Divisions</b>,70px70px5px, 10px290px |legendItem1=<b>East</b>,1,18 |legendItem2=<b>Central</b>,7,30 |legendItem3=<b>South</b>,12,42 |legendItem4=<b>West</b>,18,54
<!-- East (green) -->
| label1 = '''Glory''' | shape-color1 = green | mark-coord1 = {{Coord|42|21|9|N|71|03|49|W}}
| label2 = '''Breeze''' | shape-color2 = green | mark-coord2 ={{Coord|38|54|17|N|77|0|59|W}}
| label3 = '''Royal''' | shape-color3 = green | mark-coord3 = {{Coord|45|30|0|N|73|34|0|W}}
| label4 = '''Empire''' | ldy4=-5 | shape-color4 = green | mark-coord4 = {{Coord|40|54|41|N|73|46|56|W}}
| label5 = '''Phoenix''' | shape-color5 = green | mark-coord5 ={{Coord|40|0|34|N|75|8|0|W}}
| label6 = '''Rush''' | shape-color6 = green | mark-coord6 = {{Coord|43|40|2|N|79|23|47|W}}
<!-- Central (blue) -->
| label7 = '''Union''' | label-pos7 = right | shape-color7 = blue | mark-coord7 ={{Coord|42|3|30|N|87|40|15|W}}
| label8 = '''AlleyCats''' | ldy8 = 2 | shape-color8 = blue | mark-coord8 ={{Coord|39|47|25|N|86|11|21|W}}
| label9 = '''Radicals''' | shape-color9 = blue | mark-coord9 = {{Coord|43|4|59|N|89|22|23|W}}
| label10 = '''Wind Chill''' | shape-color10 = blue | mark-coord10 = {{Coord|45|9|39|N|93|14|5|W}}
| label11 = '''Thunderbirds''' | label-pos11 = top |ldy11=-5 | shape-color11 = blue | mark-coord11 ={{Coord|40|26|10|N|80|0|34|W}}
<!-- South (red) -->
| label12 = '''Hustle''' | shape-color12 = red | mark-coord12 ={{Coord|33|45|18|N|84|23|24|W}}
| label13 = '''Sol''' | label-pos13 = left | shape-color13 = red | mark-coord13 = {{Coord|30|16|33|N|97|48|56|W}}
| label14 = '''Flyers''' | shape-color14 = red | mark-coord14 ={{Coord|36|2|7|N|78|54|10|W}}
| label15 = '''Havoc''' | shape-color15 = red | mark-coord15 = {{Coord|29|38|4|N|95|23|24|W}}
| label16 = '''Growlers''' | shape-color16 = red | mark-coord16 = {{Coord|32|47|58|N|117|13|26|W}}
| label17 = '''Bighorns''' | shape-color17 = red | mark-coord17 = {{Coord|36|9|12|N|115|14|11|W}}
<!-- West (yellow) -->
| label18 = '''Apex''' | shape-color18 = yellow | mark-coord18 = {{Coord|39|45|11|N|105|13|39|W}}
| label19 = '''Spiders''' | shape-color19 = yellow | mark-coord19 = {{Coord|37|46|25|N|122|12|32|W}}
| label20 = '''Steel''' | shape-color20 = yellow | mark-coord20 = {{Coord|45|34|17|N|122|38|14|W}}
| label21 = '''Shred''' | shape-color21 = yellow | mark-coord21 = {{Coord|40|29|2|N|111|58|46|W}}
| label22 = '''Cascades''' | shape-color22 = yellow | mark-coord22 = {{Coord|47|37|23|N|122|21|0|W}} }} {{Clear}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Teams in the Ultimate Frisbee Association |- ! scope="col" |Team ! scope="col" |City/Area ! scope="col" |Stadium ! scope="col" |First Season |- ! style="background:#8CDD81" colspan=4 | East |- ! scope="row" |Boston Glory | Boston, MA | Hormel Stadium | 2021 (due to cancellation of 2020 season) |- !scope="row"|DC Breeze | Washington, DC | Carlini Field<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theaudl.com/breeze/stadium-0|title=Breeze Home Venue|date=February 15, 2019|work=AUDL|access-date=January 31, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121053756/https://theaudl.com/breeze/stadium-0|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 2013 |- !scope="row"|Montreal Royal | Montreal, QC | Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard | 2014 |- !scope="row"|New York Empire | New York City, NY | Joseph F. Fosina Field<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Calls Joseph F. Fosina Field of New Rochelle (AKA Flower's Park) Home|url=https://www.nyempireaudl.com/news/2018/2/22/new-york-calls-joseph-f-fosina-field-of-new-rochelle-aka-flowers-park-home|website=New York Empire|publisher=nyempireaudl.com|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020908/https://www.nyempireaudl.com/news/2018/2/22/new-york-calls-joseph-f-fosina-field-of-new-rochelle-aka-flowers-park-home|archive-date=March 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 2013 |- !scope="row"|Philadelphia Phoenix | Philadelphia, PA | Neumann University Turf Field<ref>{{cite news|title=Philadelphia Phoenix Soar to New Heights with Neumann University Partnership|url= https://learn.neumann.edu/neupress/philadelphia-phoenix-soar-to-new-heights-with-neumann-university-partnership|work=NeuPress|date=April 8, 2024|access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref> | 2013 |- !scope="row"|Toronto Rush | Toronto, ON | Varsity Stadium | 2013 |- ! style="background:#6698FF" colspan=4 | Central |- ! scope="row" |Chicago Union | Chicago, IL | Martin Stadium | 2013 (as Windy City Wildfire) |- !scope="row"|Indianapolis AlleyCats* | Indianapolis, IN | Kuntz Memorial Soccer Stadium<ref>{{cite web|title=Indianapolis AlleyCat|url=https://www.myalleycats.com/schedule|website=Indianapolis AlleyCat|access-date=April 11, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412002337/https://www.myalleycats.com/schedule|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 2012 |- !scope="row"|Madison Radicals | Madison, WI | Breese Stevens Field | 2013 |- !scope="row"|Minnesota Wind Chill | Saint Paul, MN | Sea Foam Stadium | 2013 |- !scope="row"|Pittsburgh Thunderbirds | Pittsburgh, PA | Highmark Stadium | 2015 |- ! style="background:#E77471" colspan=4 | South |- ! scope="row" |Atlanta Hustle | Atlanta, GA | Atlanta Silverbacks Park | 2015 |- !scope="row"|Austin Sol | Austin, TX | Westlake Chaparral Stadium | 2016 |- !scope="row"|Carolina Flyers | Durham, NC | Durham County Memorial Stadium | 2015 (as Raleigh Flyers) |- !scope="row"|Houston Havoc | Houston, TX | SaberCats Stadium | 2023 |- !scope="row"|San Diego Growlers | San Diego, CA | Mission Bay High School | 2015 |- ! scope="row" |Vegas Bighorns | Las Vegas, NV | Bengals Stadium | 2025 |- ! style="background:#F4F776" colspan=4 | West |- ! scope="row" |Colorado Apex | Denver, CO | Marv Kay Stadium | 2022 (as Colorado Summit) |- !scope="row"|Oakland Spiders | Oakland, CA | Tiger Stadium | 2014 (as San Jose Spiders) |- !scope="row"|Oregon Steel | Portland, OR | Hilken Community Stadium | 2022 (as Portland Nitro) |- !scope="row"|Salt Lake Shred | Salt Lake City, UT | Zions Bank Stadium | 2022 |- !scope="row"|Seattle Cascades | Seattle, WA | Seattle Memorial Stadium | 2014 (as Seattle Raptors) |- |}
=== Former teams === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ |- ! scope="col" |Team ! scope="col" |City/Area ! scope="col" |Stadium ! scope="col" |Season(s) ! scope="col" |Notes |- ! scope="row" | Charlotte Express | Charlotte, NC | Irwin Belk Complex | 2015–2016<ref name="theaudl1" /> | |- ! scope="row" | Cincinnati Revolution* | Cincinnati, OH | Sheakley Athletic Center | 2012 (as Bluegrass Revolution), 2013–2016<ref name="theaudl1">{{cite web |url=http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/charlotte-cincinnati-franchise-moves/ |title=Cincinnati, Charlotte Franchises To Contract; New Atlanta Ownership |publisher=American Ultimate Disc League |date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905103726/http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/charlotte-cincinnati-franchise-moves |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- ! scope="row" | Columbus Cranes* | Columbus, OH | Warhawks Stadium | 2012 | |- ! scope="row" | Connecticut Constitution* | New Britain, CT | Arute Field | 2012 | |- ! scope="row" | Dallas Legion | Dallas, TX | Colleyville Middle School | 2016-2021 (as Dallas Roughnecks), 2022-2024 | |- ! scope="row" | Detroit Mechanix* | Lansing, MI | Hope Sports Complex | 2012-2025 | |- ! scope="row" | Los Angeles Aviators | Los Angeles, CA | Great Park Championship Stadium | 2015-2025 | |- ! scope="row" | Nashville NightWatch | Nashville, TN | Hunters Lane High School | 2015–2018 | |- ! scope="row" | New Jersey Hammerheads | Trenton, NJ | Mercer County Community College Stadium | 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2013/12/03/new-jersey-audl-franchise-folds-dc-franchise-avoids-fate-new-investor/ |title=New Jersey AUDL Franchise Folds, DC Franchise Avoids Same Fate With New Investor |publisher=Ultiworld |date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row" | Ottawa Outlaws | Ottawa, ON | MNP Park | 2015–2022 | |- ! scope="row" | Philadelphia Spinners* | Philadelphia, PA | Franklin Field | 2012 | Left to join MLU<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2012/10/10/audl-president-talks-about-2013-season-spinners-major-league-ultimate/ |title=AUDL President Talks About 2013 Season, Spinners, Major League Ultimate |publisher=Ultiworld |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Rhode Island Rampage* | Providence, RI | Pierce Memorial Field | 2012 | |- ! scope="row" | Rochester Dragons* | Rochester, NY | Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium | 2012 (as Buffalo Hunters), 2013–2015<ref name="AUDL" /> | |- ! scope="row" | Salt Lake Lions | Salt Lake City, UT | Taylorsville High School Stadium | 2014 | |- ! scope="row" | San Francisco FlameThrowers | Oakland, CA | Laney College Football Field<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sfflamethrowers.com/?page_id=148 |title=Venue |publisher=SF FlameThrowers |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> | 2014–2018 | |- ! scope="row" | Tampa Bay Cannons | St. Petersburg, FL | Gibbs High School | 2015 (as Jacksonville Cannons)–2022 | |- ! scope="row" | Vancouver Riptide | Vancouver, BC | Swangard Stadium | 2014–2017 | |} <nowiki />* Team was a founding member of the UFA
==Championships== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Ultimate Frisbee Association championships |- !scope="col"|Season !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Champion !scope="col"|Final score !scope="col"|Runner-up !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Location |- !scope="row"|2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skydmagazine.com/2012/08/philadelphia-wins-inaugural-audl-championship/ |title=Philadelphia Wins Inaugural AUDL Championship |work=Skyd Magazine |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> |August 11, 2012 |Philadelphia Spinners |29–22 |Indianapolis AlleyCats |Pontiac Silverdome |Pontiac, MI |- !scope="row"|2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-gPIEhpbfU |title=2013 AUDL Championship Final Highlights |via=YouTube |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://skydmagazine.com/2013/08/audl-championship-weekend-preview/ |title=AUDL Championship Weekend Preview |work=Skyd Magazine |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> |August 4, 2013 |Toronto Rush |16–14 |Madison Radicals |Lane Tech Stadium |Chicago, IL |- !scope="row"|2014<ref name="ultiworld1">{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/2013/11/27/instant-reaction-audl-moves-championship-toronto/ |title=Instant Reaction: The AUDL Moves Championship Up to Toronto |publisher=Ultiworld |date=November 27, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> |July 27, 2014 | rowspan="2" |San Jose Spiders |28–18 |Toronto Rush |Varsity Stadium |Toronto, ON |- !scope="row"|2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theaudl.com/2015Champions |title=2015 AUDL Championship |publisher=AUDL |date=August 9, 2015 |access-date=August 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813005509/http://theaudl.com/2015Champions |archive-date=August 13, 2015 }}</ref> |August 9, 2015 |17–15 |Madison Radicals |Avaya Stadium |San Jose, CA |- !scope="row"|2016<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/BreeseStevensChamp2016 |title=Breese Stevens Field To Host 2016 AUDL Championship Weekend |publisher=AUDL |date=January 4, 2016 |access-date=January 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107150919/http://theaudl.com/articles/ata/BreeseStevensChamp2016 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |August 7, 2016 |Dallas Roughnecks |33–27 |Seattle Cascades |Breese Stevens Field |Madison, WI |- !scope="row"|2017<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theaudl.com/championship |title=2017 AUDL Championship Weekend: Montreal |publisher=AUDL |access-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606092505/http://theaudl.com/championship |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |August 27, 2017 |San Francisco FlameThrowers |30–29 |Toronto Rush |Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard |Montreal, QC |- !scope="row"|2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theAUDL/status/1028723798856617984 |title=2018 AUDL Championship |publisher=AUDL |access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref> |August 12, 2018 |Madison Radicals |20–16 | rowspan="2" |Dallas Roughnecks |Breese Stevens Field |Madison, WI |- !scope="row"|2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theAUDL/status/1160665689889226752 |title=Final |publisher=AUDL |access-date=August 11, 2019}}</ref> |August 11, 2019 |New York Empire |26–22 |Foothill College |Los Altos Hills, CA |- !scope="row"|2020<ref name=2020canceled/> | colspan="6" |''Season cancelled due to COVID-19'' |- !scope="row"|2021<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Alex |title=AUDL Playoffs 2021: Raleigh Flyers Win First AUDL Title with Sparkling Offense |url=https://ultiworld.com/2021/09/13/audl-playoffs-2021-raleigh-flyers-win-first-audl-title-with-sparkling-offense/ |website=ultiworld.com |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=September 13, 2021}}</ref> |September 11, 2021 |Raleigh Flyers |19–16 |New York Empire |Audi Field |Washington, DC |- !scope="row"|2022<ref> {{cite web |url=https://watchufa.com/league/tuesday-toss/2022-audl-championship-weekend-recap-new-york-empire-perfect-season |title=Empire Excellence |author-last=Lepler |author-first=Evan |date=August 30, 2022 |website=WatchUFA}} </ref> |August 26, 2022 | rowspan="2" |New York Empire |22–14 |Chicago Union |Breese Stevens Field |Madison, WI |- !scope="row"|2023<ref> {{cite web |url=https://watchufa.com/league/tuesday-toss/2023-audl-championship-weekend-recap-new-york-back-back-titles |title=Empire Go Back-to-back |author-last=Lepler |author-fire=Evan |date=August 29, 2023 |website=WatchUFA}}</ref> |August 26, 2023 |19–12 |Salt Lake Shred |TCO Stadium |Eagan, MN |- !scope="row"|2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.watchufa.com/league/news/2024-ufa-minnesota-wind-chill-win-championship |website=WatchUFA.com |title=Minnesota Win First Championship In Thriller |date=24 August 2024}}</ref> |August 24, 2024 |Minnesota Wind Chill |17-16 |Carolina Flyers |Zions Bank Stadium |Herriman, UT |- !scope="row"|2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston Wins First Championship With Historic Defensive Effort |url=https://www.watchufa.com/league/news/2025-ufa-boston-glory-win-championship |website=WatchUFA.com |date=23 August 2025}}</ref> |August 23, 2025 |Boston Glory |17-15 |Minnesota Wind Chill |Breese Stevens Field |Madison, WI |}
==MVP== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Ultimate Frisbee Association MVPs |- !scope="col"|Season !scope="col"|Name !scope="col"|Team |- |2012 !scope="row"|Jonathan "Goose" Helton |Indianapolis AlleyCats |- |2013 !scope="row"|Jonathan "Goose" Helton |Windy City Wildfire |- |2014 !scope="row"|Beau Kittredge |San Jose Spiders |- |2015 !scope="row"|Beau Kittredge |San Jose Spiders |- |2016 !scope="row"|Dylan Tunnell<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultiworld.com/livewire/dylan-tunnell-wins-2016-audl-mvp/ |title=Dylan Tunnell Wins 2016 AUDL MVP | Livewire |publisher=Ultiworld |date=August 29, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> |Atlanta Hustle |- |2017 !scope="row"|Jonathan Nethercutt |Raleigh Flyers |- |2018 !scope="row"|Matthew "Rowan" McDonnell |DC Breeze |- |2019 !scope="row"|Ben Jagt |New York Empire |- |2020 !scope="row"|''No MVP due to COVID-19'' |''NA'' |- |2021 !scope="row"|Ben Jagt |New York Empire |- |2022 !scope="row"|Ryan Osgar |New York Empire |- |2023 !scope="row"|Jeff Babbitt |New York Empire |- |2024 !scope="row"|Jeff Babbitt |Boston Glory |- |2025 !scope="row"|Tobe Decraene |Boston Glory |}
== League commissioners == * Josh Moore (2012–2013) * Steve Gordon (2013–2018) * Steve Hall (2018–2024) * Tim DeByl (2024–present)
== See also == * Major League Ultimate – defunct league which coexisted with the AUDL from 2013 to 2016 * Premier Ultimate League – women's league * Western Ultimate League – women's league
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{commonscat}} *{{Official website}} {{American Ultimate Disc League seasons}} {{AUDL teams}} {{Top sport leagues in the United States}} {{Authority control}} Category:Ultimate Frisbee Association Category:Ultimate (sport) competitions Category:Professional sports leagues in the United States Category:Sports leagues established in 2010 Category:2010 establishments in the United States