Racine Raiders Launch 2026 Season, Debut in New League Saturday

RACINE, Wis. (WRJN) – The Racine Raiders, an 11-time league champion and one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating semi-professional football teams, will kick off their 2026 season Saturday with a road game against the Burlington Blue Devils.

The season opener is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Burlington High School’s Tony Romo Field.

The Raiders enter the season with a fresh start after joining the Mid-West United Football League (MWUF), marking a shift from their recent time in The Players Football Association, where they reached the championship game in 2025. The team also previously competed in the Gridiron Developmental Football League.

Founded in 1953, the Raiders are a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization with deep roots in the Racine community. The team plays its home games at Historic Horlick Athletic Field and has built a legacy that includes multiple national titles across various leagues.

WRJN Radio will broadcast all Raiders games this season on 1290 AM, with additional coverage on 107.3 FM in northeastern Racine County. Station officials said they will “split the simulcast” during scheduling conflicts with Milwaukee Brewers games to ensure fans can follow both teams without missing action.

The Raiders’ home opener is set for May 9 at 6 p.m. against the Midwest Vengeance.

Single-game tickets are available online through Hometown Ticketing or at the Horlick Field box office on game days. Military members and first responders receive free admission with valid identification.