The 2026 BDSL draws ever closer as the league is proud to announce the 77 teams across 7 divisions of competition for the coming season. We welcome 9 brand new teams to BDSL play and say goodbyes to 7 teams from last year. Divisions are tentative and based on all teams making their financial commitments to the league. Changes to these plans could still happen in the lead up to the season.

 

Premier returns 8 of the 11 teams from last season with Amherst Sharpshotters, BSC Raiders, Borussia Bees, Queenston FC, NMB FC, Buffalo United SS, Olean 1854 FC, and Los Chupacabras all back for another season to fight for the title of best of the best of the BDSL. 3 new teams join the ranks with Buffalo Celtic making its Premier debut after a Championship division regular season title in 2025. Championship playoff champions Buffalo Stallions FC also mark their first season in the top flight. Lastly Westside Blitz join Prem for the first time after a strong showing in both Cup and season play last year. Kinda sorta bowing out of BDSL are two BDSL teams that have combined over 30 years of play with long time Prem member Celtic United and BDSL mainstay Polonia departing the league.

 

Championship sees 6 teams return with Rance FC, Revolution SC, Williamsville Willies, Queen City Gunners, Mes Que FC, and Buffalo Italia all back and ready. Crimson Fire FC has rebranded to Sporting Cavs and is back as well. Medina Mustangs FC joins Champo for the first time ever after their 1st division regular season last year. Ukraine joining Championship marks the highest divisional placement in the teams 16 year history. Cattaraugus County FC moves down from the Prem from last year. Lastly new(ish) side Germania FC joins the league and is placed into Championship to start off. 

 

Heading into 1st division we see the most changes from '25 to '26 out of any BDSL division. 6 returning clubs to start with as Mandem FC, Honey Badgers, Southern Tier FC, Celtic Brigade, Chargers FC and Buffalo Night all return. Outlaws returns to D1 after a one and done visit in Champo. Kunz Premier moves into the division after taking the D2 regular season crown. Clarence Coyotes rejoins the division since they were last there in 2023.  2 new clubs to the BDSL round out the division with Stallions FC and Scajaguada Jaguars FC making their BDSL debuts. Niagara FC exits the league in full this year. 

 

In our 2nd division our returning teams include Infinity FC, Bangarang FC, Buffalo Cosmos, Devils, United Warriors, Crimson Fire FC, and Hamburg Monarchs SC. Great White Buffalo moves down after two D1 seasons. WNY Phoenix joins D2 for the first time ever. JL Dutch comes back to D1 after five seasons away. Another horse team has appeared with Buffalo Stallions (not affiliated with either of the other equestrian named teams) marking their BDSL debut in this division. Cheektowaga Stingrays bows out of BDSL play this year.

 

Our 3rd Division has 6 teams back in the mix with Rust Belt United, nWo FC, Buffalo Brighten Stars FC, Badger Academy, Lake Shore FC, and Buffalo Evening all back for another crack at it. Meerkats FC has rebranded to Nanners FC (missed opportunity to be Jimmy's Kickballers if you ask me). Lasalle FC and Munster FC come down after nearly identical D2 campaigns last year. D4 playoff and regular season champs Mavericks FC, formerly Queen City Mavericks, jumps up. To finish off 3rd new side Midnimo FC joins the BDSL.

 

In the final Sunday league division we have 7 returning teams with Tonawanda United, Huskies FC, Big Green SC, South Buffalo FC, WNY United Reds, Celtic Classic, and North Collins United back in action. Queen City AFC slides down from D3 play last year. The D4 field is completed by 3 new clubs to the BDSL as Flamingo FC, WNY Firebirds, and Saransthan FC all join the league here. Allen FC ends its BDSL run after 3 years.

 

The senior circuit has 11 teams set to play for the 2026 season. Semi new club Auzzrri Stallions joins the line up. The format of O-35 is still TBD pending discussions with the team managers. Both GOATS FC and Tidal FC leave the division and league.