United Football League Returns with New Teams

Spring means baseball….and football.

The United Football League (UFL) is back for its third season this weekend with a slight remodeling with three new teams.

The Louisville Kings, Columbus Aviators and Orlando Storm take the field for the first time. The new teams replaced the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers and San Antonio Brahmas.

The three new teams will join existing teams Birmingham Stallions, DC Defenders, Dallas Renegades, Houston Gamblers and St. Louis Battlehawks.

The DC Defenders are looking to defend their title.

The league is also under a new leader with Billionaire investor Mike Repole taking control of the leagues fortunes. He has even hinted at eventual expansion to 32 teams.

The UFL will introduce some new rules.

Those include the addition of a 4-point kick for any successful field goal 60 yards or longer. Last season in the NFL, kickers went 12-for-22 (54%) from 60-plus yards on field goals. Punts inside the 50-yard line are also prohibited, except for after the two-minute warning in either half. The UFL banned the "tush push" short-yardage play, moved kickoffs back to the 30-yard line and changed to requiring pass catchers to just have one foot in bounds, like in college. The UFL also changed two-point conversions to the NFL’s 2-yard line, moving it up from the 5-yard line. Additionally, offenses can kick for one point from the 33-yard line or go for three points from the 8-yard line.

There will also be some new coaches on the sidelines this season.

Rick Neuheisel will coach the Dallas Renegades. Orlando will have Anthony Becht moving from St. Louis. Former Ohio State star Ted Ginn Jr. will coach the Columbus Aviators. Former NFL quarterback Chris Redman is the head coach of the Kings. A.J. McCarron will be the new coach for St. Louis.

Some key players to watch:

• Luis Perez, QB, Dallas
• Jordan Ta’amu, QB, DC
• Kai Nacua, S, DC
• Jalan McClendon, QB, Columbus
• Toa Tua, RB, Columbus
• Matt Corral, QB, Birmingham

For the 2026 season, United Football League (UFL) games are broadcast across FOX Sports (FOX, FS1) and ESPN/ABC platforms (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN App). The league also includes NFL Network for select regular-season matchups.

For more information on the UFL:  https://www.theufl.com/