The Fort Worth Braves Return: CoFL Plants Its Flag in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex
- CoFL Staff
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
The Continental Football League completes its 2026 lineup as the historic Braves brand returns to Texas, bringing community-driven professional football to one of America’s most passionate football regions.
The Fort Worth Braves Return
The Continental Football League is proud to announce the return of one of its historic brands as the Fort Worth Braves join the CoFL for the 2026 season, bringing professional summer football back to one of the most passionate football regions in America.
With the addition of the Braves, the league completes its modern eight-team lineup and sets the stage for the inaugural 2026 Continental Football League season beginning in May.
The Braves will represent the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, one of the fastest-growing and most football-obsessed markets in the United States.
Led by Managing Partner Justin Golson, the franchise is built around a vision centered on opportunity football, community engagement, and exciting on-field competition.
A Historic Brand Reborn
The Fort Worth Braves name carries meaningful history within professional football.
During the late 1960s, the original Continental Football League expanded into Texas, recognizing the immense football passion across the Lone Star State.
Now, decades later, that name returns to the gridiron as the modern CoFL reconnects the league’s historic roots with a new generation of players and fans.
Reviving classic brands has become an important part of the league’s philosophy.
Rather than building from scratch, the Continental Football League aims to honor the legacy of the game while creating new opportunities for players and communities.
For the Braves organization, the decision felt natural.
“Bringing the Braves back felt like the right move,”
said Managing Partner Justin Golson.
“The Continental Football League has strong history, and we want to honor that while building something exciting for the future.”
Why Fort Worth
Texas is widely considered one of the great football capitals of the world.
From high school stadiums that rival college venues to powerhouse college programs and professional franchises, football in Texas is more than entertainment — it is part of the culture.
The Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, with more than seven million residents, represents one of the most dynamic sports markets in North America.
For the Continental Football League, the region offers the perfect environment to launch a new franchise.
“The DFW area is a football hotbed,” Golson said. “There are millions of fans here who love the game, and there’s room for a team that brings football closer to the community.”
Unlike major professional leagues, the CoFL focuses on accessible football experiences where fans can interact with players, coaches, and the organization.
Leadership and Vision
The Braves organization is led by Managing Partner Justin Golson, whose background in football development has shaped his philosophy toward building teams and developing players.
Like many football lifers, Golson’s journey began with a passion for the game at a young age.
After playing through high school, he transitioned into coaching and player evaluation, working with high school athletes and small college prospects.
That experience eventually led him into developmental football programs, where he helped identify talent and create pathways for players to advance to higher levels of competition.
At one point, when a team he was coaching collapsed just weeks before kickoff, Golson helped launch a new organization so players would still have an opportunity to compete.
The program eventually developed into a pipeline that helped players reach professional opportunities in arena football, international leagues, and other professional circuits.
That commitment to opportunity remains at the heart of the Braves’ philosophy.
Why the Continental Football League
The Braves’ decision to join the Continental Football League was influenced heavily by the leadership and vision guiding the league.
At the top of the organization is Commissioner Mike Kelly, a veteran football coach and executive whose career spans decades of experience in professional and collegiate football.
Kelly’s background includes coaching, player development, and front-office leadership across multiple levels of the game.
According to Golson, that experience helped build confidence in the league’s long-term vision.
“When someone with Mike Kelly’s background is involved, you know they believe in what they’re building.”
The league also features experienced leadership at the team level, creating a network of organizations committed to building strong football programs.
The Continental Shift
The Continental Football League introduces a unique innovation known as the Continental Shift.
For the first three quarters, games follow traditional professional football rules.
However, the fourth quarter introduces a faster-paced format inspired by elements of Canadian football, including three-down football and accelerated play.
The system encourages aggressive offensive play and ensures games remain competitive through the final moments.
For the Braves, that style of play fits perfectly with the team’s philosophy.
“You’re going to see speed and tempo,”
Golson said.
“We’re building a team that can play fast and put pressure on opponents.”
Building the Braves
Although the Braves announcement is new to the public, much of the groundwork has already begun behind the scenes.
Coaches have been identified, recruiting pipelines are in place, and staff members will soon begin operating within the Dallas–Fort Worth region.
“Boots will be on the ground very soon,” Golson said.
Once operations begin locally, the Braves will begin announcing:
Coaching staff
Player signings
Stadium location
Community events
Those announcements will begin rolling out in the coming weeks.
A Community-First Franchise
Beyond the football field, the Braves organization intends to become deeply embedded within the community.
Youth football programs, fan events, and local partnerships will play a major role in the team’s mission.
“This is built for the community,”
Golson said.
“It takes the fans, the players, and the league working together.”
The Braves plan to host community events and outreach programs leading up to the inaugural season.
The Road to the 2026 Season
With the Braves announcement, the Continental Football League now features eight teams.
Northern Division
Ohio Valley Ironmen
Cincinnati Dukes
Michigan Arrows
Indianapolis Capitols
Southern Division
Fort Worth Braves
San Antonio Toros
Tall City Black Gold
Texas Syndicate
The 2026 season will begin in May and conclude with the Continental Cup Championship in July.
A New Chapter Begins
When the Braves take the field in 2026, they will represent both the legacy of the original Continental Football League and the future of opportunity football.
In a region where football is woven deeply into the culture, the return of the Braves marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
And for fans across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, the message is simple:
Professional summertime football is here, outside where it belongs.
Follow the Braves
Website: https://coflbraves.com/