FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 5, 2026) – With the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season approaching in just 10 days, Fort Lauderdale United FC’s 14-game schedule is packed with intriguing storylines and must-watch matchups. As the club enters a new era in a transitional season for the league, several contests stand out as key moments on the calendar. Here are five matches you won’t want to miss during the 2026 campaign:
#1 – Our Third Home Opener
vs. Sporting JAX – August 15
Fort Lauderdale United opens its highly anticipated third season in franchise history at home, hosting in-state rival Sporting JAX in what projects to be one of the league’s premier attacking matchups. Both clubs return their leading goalscorers from last season, with Kiara Locklear and Ashlyn Puerta set to headline the season opener. The two sides met four times during the inaugural campaign, most recently on April 11, as Fort Lauderdale looks to secure its first-ever victory over Sporting JAX and begin the 2026 season on a winning note.
#2 – The First Florida Derby of 2026
at Tampa Bay Sun FC – September 12
The Florida Derby rivalry reignites on September 12 as Fort Lauderdale travels to Florida’s West Coast to face Tampa Bay Sun FC in the first meeting of the season. After meeting four times during the first two regular seasons, the rivals will square off just twice in 2026, raising the stakes for both matchups. The contest marks Fort Lauderdale’s second consecutive road match and brings the club back to the venue where it suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the inaugural Gainbridge Super League Final. The visitors will be searching for their first victory over their in-state rival, with both clubs entering the 2026 season looking to bounce back after missing the 2025/26 Playoffs.
#3 – An Important Stretch
vs. Dallas Trinity FC – September 18
Following the Florida Derby, Fort Lauderdale returns home on September 18 to host Dallas Trinity FC after a two-match road trip. The contest serves as the lone home fixture between August 29 and October 10, making it a pivotal opportunity for the club to build momentum before embarking on another two-game road swing. With five matches packed into the opening stretch of the season, Fort Lauderdale will look to capitalize on its limited home opportunities, making the meeting with Dallas an important early test in the race for points.
#4 – A Gauntlet Awaits
vs. Carolina Ascent FC – October 22
Fort Lauderdale faces one of its toughest stretches of the season with a three-match gauntlet over 12 days against three clubs that reached last season’s Playoffs. After consecutive matches against reigning champion Lexington SC and Sporting JAX, Fort Lauderdale returns home to host Carolina Ascent FC, last season’s Gainbridge Super League runner-up. With just four matches remaining after the Thursday night showdown, the meeting with Carolina has the potential to shape the playoff race and could prove to be one of the defining matches of Fort Lauderdale’s 2026 campaign.
#5 – The Regular Season Finale
vs. DC Power FC – November 28
Just as the 2026 campaign begins on home turf, Fort Lauderdale will have the opportunity to close the regular season at home when it hosts DC Power FC on November 28. Regular-season finales often carry significant playoff implications, and this year’s finale could provide Fort Lauderdale with a chance to secure a postseason berth in front of its home supporters. The match also marks the first time in three seasons that Fort Lauderdale will conclude its regular-season schedule at home, adding another layer of significance to the campaign’s final chapter.
Season Tickets
The wait is over — the 2026 Gainbridge Super League season is finally here! Don’t miss a moment of the action, be a part of it and get your tickets HERE! Stay tuned and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with all things FTL UTD on Instagram, X(Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook.
