Record-Breaking Response: Texas Elite Spartans Announce New Tryout Location at UTA’s Maverick Stadium

In Texas, football isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life. From Friday night lights to Sunday afternoons, the Lone Star State has long been synonymous with gridiron greatness. But lately, the future of football in Texas has started to look a little different. No program represents that shift better than the Texas Elite Spartans, the five-time WNFC champions and standard-bearers for women’s professional tackle football.

Our Biggest Tryouts Yet

When the Spartans announced their 2026 season tryouts on September 15, the expectation was strong turnout. But no one predicted this.In just three weeks, 107 women have registered to compete for a roster spot, shattering last year’s total of 72 and tripling the 48 who tried out in 2023. And with 10 days still left to register, the Spartans are on track for the largest tryout in franchise history.

“This level of interest tells the story of what’s happening in women’s tackle football right now,” said Head Coach Odessa ‘OJ’ Jenkins. “More women than ever believe that they can play this game at the highest level, and in Texas, they want to do it wearing Spartan mask on their jersey.”

New Location. New Energy. Same Standard.

To accommodate the surge of athletes and bring the experience closer to the heart of North Texas, the Spartans are proud to announce a new tryout location: Maverick Stadium at The University of Texas at Arlington.

Maverick Stadium, a venue synonymous with Texas football tradition, offers the perfect backdrop for this next era of Spartan excellence, and for hundreds of women chasing their pro football dreams.

UTA’s Commitment to Growing the Game

The timing of the new location couldn’t be better. The University of Texas at Arlington recently announced plans to add women’s flag football, joining a growing list of Texas universities investing in women’s sports and expanding opportunities for female athletes to compete on the gridiron.

That announcement is more than symbolic, it’s transformational. It reflects a movement that’s sweeping across the globe and fueling the growth of the women’s game from the youth and college levels all the way to the professional stage.

Who’s Stepping Onto the Field

The 2025 tryout class is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ever assembled. Among the 107 registrants so far, the average age is 26, with over 50 athletes having played at the Division I or professional level in other sports, from basketball and track to rugby and soccer.

Their resumes read like a who’s who of elite competitors. But in Spartan country, everyone starts from the same place: National Tryout Day.

Building the Future of Women’s Football

For the Spartans, this surge isn’t just about numbers, it’s about momentum. The growing wave of women’s flag football across Texas, the visibility of professional tackle through the WNFC, and the undeniable cultural shift toward inclusion in sports are creating a perfect storm of opportunity.

“Every year, we see more speed, more strength, and more belief,” Jenkins said. “The talent is catching up to the dream, and that’s how movements get started.”

As the 2026 season approaches, the Spartans are reloading once again, and this year’s tryout class is proof that the appetite for women’s professional football in Texas is only getting stronger.

Tryouts will be held at Maverick Stadium, Saturday morning , October 18 at The University of Texas at Arlington. Registration closes soon, don’t miss your chance to join the dynasty.👉 Register for Tryouts Here