Only one original franchise remains in the league.
November 12, 2025 by Charlie Eisenhood in News
The Detroit Mechanix and Los Angeles Aviators, two struggling franchises from the Ultimate Frisbee Association, are closing their doors, the UFA announced on Wednesday.
The Aviators had numerous winning seasons in their 10 years in the league and reached Championship Weekend in 2018, but they lost talent to San Diego in recent years and finished just 3-9 in the South Division in 2025. Meanwhile, Detroit was the league’s worst team for many years, losing an astonishing 81 straight games from 2017 to 2024 before finally snapping the streak. Both teams struggled to draw fans to their games.
While winning is an important factor in a UFA franchise’s success, it’s far from a guarantee. “The reality of being in an ownership group in the UFA today is way different than it was when the league started in 2012,” said UFA CEO and Commissioner Tim DeByl. “We expect larger ownership groups that can handle the workload and capital load that’s required to make the league successful in today’s UFA.”
The teams failed to meet an internal UFA November 1st deadline to pay a yearly league assessment that covers costs like referees. That serves as a requirement to commit to remaining in the league for the following season. All other teams have paid and DeByl said no further team composition changes are forthcoming for the 2026 season.
READ: One Must Imagine The Detroit Mechanix Happy
Detroit and LA become the 16th and 17th teams to fold since the league’s start in 2012. Detroit was one of just two teams remaining in the league from its inaugural season; now, only the Indianapolis Alleycats are left standing. The Detroit owner, Brent Steepe, was involved from the earliest of days of what was then the American Ultimate Disc League, helping get the league off the ground with founder Josh Moore.
“It’s remarkable to look back and see how far we’ve come,” said Steepe in a statement. “What began as an idea has evolved into a living, breathing representation of passion, growth, and community. I’m grateful to have played my part in its creation and existence.”
With the league now moving from 24 to 22 teams, the Central Division is expected to remain at 5 teams after Detroit’s exit. With San Diego now geographically isolated in the South Division with Houston, Austin, Atlanta, and Carolina, there could be a team realignment coming to the West and South Divisions. No decision has been made yet on any changes.
