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The United Football League today announced its complete 2026 game schedule with the league’s media partners – FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1 and ESPN App – combining to broadcast all 43 games during the UFL’s third season. Select games in Spanish will also air across FOX Deportes and ESPN Deportes as well as on the ESPN App. The new season will feature new teams competing with new head coaches in new markets and in new venues.
It's go time ➡️ Your 2026 UFL schedule is here! pic.twitter.com/JJlu2b9DAw
— United Football League (@TheUFL) January 22, 2026
The 2026 season will kick off on Friday, March 27, at 8:00 p.m. ET when FOX Sports returns with FOX UFL Friday – a dedicated night of UFL action taking place each Friday during the 10-week regular season. The season premiere will be a game of old school meeting new school when the three-time spring football league champion Birmingham Stallions under new Head Coach AJ McCarron travel to Louisville to take on UFL newcomer – the Louisville Kings – under the direction of Head Coach and Louisville Cardinals great Chris Redman at Lynn Family Stadium.
The Stallions WR room is LOADED this season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FyaDciGAOO
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 4, 2026
In addition to the action on the field during the upcoming season, fans will have the opportunity to truly experience a fun-filled game day through an elevated sports and entertainment event, which will feature giveaways at all contests, robust fan fests, musical acts, ticket incentives, and theme nights. UFL teams will kick off theme nights during their home openers when they have a City Celebration, honoring the spirit, culture and history of the cities that they represent.
Today's forecast – 100% chance of ORLANDO STORM. pic.twitter.com/dLKd49Dw04
— Orlando Storm (@UFLStorm) October 7, 2025
Single game tickets will be available to the public on Monday, February 2, starting at 11:00 a.m. ET. Fans may access information about Season, Group and Suite ticket packages at www.the UFL.com/tickets.
Get your Home Opener tickets ⬇️
No fees. Ends tomorrow.
🎟️ : https://t.co/LgKdVrd5Va pic.twitter.com/jYCzOavoJJ
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 3, 2026
ESPN will begin its season-long coverage on Saturday, March 28, at 12:00 p.m. ET when the DC Defenders and Head Coach Shannon Harris begin their quest to defend their UFL Championship when they meet the St. Louis Battlehawks under new Head Coach and St. Louis Rams legend Ricky Proehl in The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
Houston’s new problem for QBs 😈
Malik Fisher brings his talents to the Gamblers. pic.twitter.com/uEVvs0XB0R
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 3, 2026
The action then returns to FOX later that day when it broadcasts the new “Battle for Texas” when the Houston Gamblers under new Head Coach Kevin Sumlin clash with the Dallas Renegades and their new Head Coach Rick Neuheisel at the Renegades’ new home at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Our guy, @dondreatillman2 took it away all year 💪 pic.twitter.com/373WoFZK2N
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 2, 2026
Opening week will then conclude on Sunday, March 29, when ESPN presents the Columbus Aviators led by Ohio State and NFL great – Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. – against the Orlando Storm under Head Coach Anthony Becht, who is making his new home in the Sunshine State after leading the Battlehawks for the past three seasons, in the teams’ UFL debuts under the lights of Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando at 8:00 p.m. ET.
No fees. No excuses.❌
PLUS ➡️ NO FEES on all Home Openers for the next 48 hours.
🎟️: https://t.co/LgKdVrd5Va pic.twitter.com/GklyZHrJnX
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 2, 2026
In addition to games televised on FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, ESPN APP, FOX Deportes, and ESPN Deportes this season, FOX games will stream on FOX ONE. Games on ABC and ESPN platforms also will be streamed on the ESPN APP.
Fresh off their first UFL Championship, @UFLDefenders return in 2026 with continuity, a proven coaching staff, and one of the league’s most complete rosters.
Check out 5 Things to Know about the Defending Champion DC Defenders 👇
🔗: https://t.co/i4288nM1yc pic.twitter.com/tZa28WiU0R
— United Football League (@TheUFL) January 30, 2026
After the 10-week regular season, the four teams with the best records will meet in the UFL Playoffs taking place on Sunday, June 7, with games on ABC and FOX on Sunday, June 7. The league’s third season will conclude on Saturday, June 13, when ABC presents the 2026 UFL Championship Game.
Did someone say TNF?
Join us for prime time Thursday Night games in 2026 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rLpnwF8mgj
— United Football League (@TheUFL) January 30, 2026
Here are details about the upcoming 2026 season By-The-Numbers:
43 – League media partners FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and ESPN App will present all 43 UFL games during the league’s third season (40 regular season games, two playoff games, one Championship game).
22 – ESPN will show 22 regular season and postseason games across ABC (12), ESPN (6), ESPN2 (3), and ESPN App (1) during the upcoming season.
21 – FOX Sports will broadcast 21 regular season and postseason games across FOX (18) and FS1 (3) this season.
10 – The UFL will feature 10 weeks of regular season action that will once again include 10 live regular season matchups on Fridays as part of FOX UFL Friday.
8 – The UFL features eight teams: Birmingham Stallions, Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, D.C. Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, and St. Louis Battlehawks.
4 – The Playoffs will feature the teams with the four best records playing against each other for the right to play for the third UFL Championship. The UFL Playoffs will take place on Sunday, June 7, on ABC (3:00 p.m. ET) and FOX (6:00 p.m. ET). Matchups will be determined at a later date.
2 – The Louisville Kings will play two games in primetime on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET when they visit the Houston Gamblers on April 16 on ESPN App and then host the St. Louis Battlehawks on April 30 at FS1.
1 – The UFL regular season schedule features one Tuesday night matchup when the St. Louis Battlehawks visit the Dallas Renegades on April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
70 – 70% of all UFL games will air either on ABC or FOX this season.
Additional schedule highlights feature:
NFL pedigree at the controls.
Columbus Aviators OC Todd Haley and DC Captain Munnerlyn are set to co-pilot the inaugural season alongside HC Ted Ginn Jr. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Klxh9hj8UE
— United Football League (@TheUFL) January 30, 2026
Friday Night Lights in Columbus: NFL great and Columbus Aviators Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. returns to the city of his college glory days at Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio – when the team hosts its first home game under the lights at Historic Crew Stadium against the DC Defenders on Friday, April 3, at 8:00 p.m. ET as a part of FOX UFL Friday.
Another Shining Moment: After the NCAA crowns its new men’s basketball champion and the nets are cut down on Monday, April 6, the UFL leaps into action with its first-ever Tuesday night game when the Dallas Renegades host the St. Louis Battlehawks at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday, April 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
Return of the Champions: DC will welcome home the defending UFL Champion Defenders when the team’s first home game takes place at Audi Field on Saturday, April 11, at 12:00 p.m. ET. The Houston Gamblers will look to spoil the homecoming celebration. ESPN will be covering the game to report if the rumors are true that the “Beer Snake” has returned to the nation’s capital.
Back in the Saddle: University of Alabama legend and Birmingham Head Coach AJ McCarron leads the Stallions back into town for the team’s first home game at Protective Stadium on Saturday, April 18, at 4:00 p.m. ET, when they face the Orlando Storm on FOX.
Derby Week: Before the horses enter the gates for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, the Louisville Kings will begin a new tradition by hosting a special Thursday Night football game to help celebrate the upcoming Derby. The tradition kicks off on Thursday, April 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET, when the Kings host the St. Louis Battlehawks at Lynn Family Stadium with action on FS1.
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