Photo credit: 2C2K Photography, Creative Commons

As football fans begin settling into the offseason, the United Football League (UFL) is preparing to bring professional football back this spring. The league has officially opened ticket sales for its 2026 season, giving fans the opportunity to purchase single-game tickets, season packages, and other ticket options for all eight teams.

The UFL confirmed the announcement on Feb. 2, 2026, as the league gears up for its third season of spring football. The teams competing this year include:

• Birmingham Stallions
• Columbus Aviators
• Dallas Renegades
• D.C. Defenders
• Houston Gamblers
• Louisville Kings
• Orlando Storm
• St. Louis Battlehawks

The upcoming season will feature several rule changes designed to increase pace and excitement. Among the most notable additions is a four-point field goal for kicks longer than 60 yards. Teams will also be prohibited from punting once they cross the opponent’s 50-yard line, encouraging more aggressive offensive play.

In overtime, games will now be decided by a best-of-three shootout format, and the league has also banned the “tush push” quarterback sneak, a tactic that has been heavily debated in recent years.

Beyond the action on the field, the UFL plans to enhance the fan experience during the 2026 season. According to the league, stadiums will host fan festivals, contests, giveaways, live musical performances, and themed events throughout the season.

Each team’s home opener will also feature a “City Celebration” night, highlighting the history, culture, and identity of the communities represented by the league’s franchises.

The 2026 season will officially begin Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. CT, when the Birmingham Stallions face the expansion Louisville Kings. Birmingham will be led by AJ McCarron, the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout and veteran quarterback who has also played in the NFL and spring leagues. Louisville enters the league under head coach Chris Redman, a former Louisville Cardinals star.

Opening weekend will also feature several marquee matchups.

One of the league’s most prominent rivalries continues when the defending UFL champions, the D.C. Defenders, take on the St. Louis Battlehawks on March 28 at 11:00 p.m. CT, with the game scheduled to air on ESPN.

Another highlighted matchup is the “Battle for Texas,” where the Dallas Renegades host the Houston Gamblers at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game will showcase new leadership on both sidelines, with Kevin Sumlin taking over in Houston and Rick Neuheisel leading Dallas. That game will be broadcast Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 p.m. CT on FOX.

The UFL playoffs will begin June 7, with games airing on ABC and FOX. The top four teams will compete for a spot in the 2026 UFL Championship Game, scheduled for June 14.

Fans interested in attending games can purchase tickets through the league’s official website.

Tickets are available at:
https://www.theufl.com/tickets