United Football League Introduces Major Rule Changes for 2026 Season

As the United Football League (UFL) prepares for the 2026 campaign, the league has announced a series of rule changes aimed at boosting scoring and enhancing the fan experience.

The spring pro football league said the updates reflect ongoing efforts to evolve the game. UFL officials said the updates are designed to differentiate the league from other professional leagues while testing innovations that could influence football more broadly.

A Look at the Rule Changes

One of the biggest changes is the addition of a 4-point field goal. Any successful field goal of 60 yards or more will now be worth 4 points instead of the traditional 3, rewarding long kicking and adding strategic decisions late in games. Here’s a breakdown of some of the other key rule changes:

• One Foot Inbounds – The league now requires only one foot inbounds for a legal catch, matching NCAA standards to encourage passing offense.
• No Punting Inside the 50-Yard Line – Teams may not punt once the ball is inside the opponent’s 50-yard line (except within the final two minutes of each half), pushing offenses to be more aggressive on fourth down.
• Tush Push Eliminated – The controversial short-yardage “tush push” made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles has been banned, meaning quarterbacks can no longer be pushed forward by teammates after the snap.
• Overtime Rules – Overtime will feature alternating attempts from the five-yard line, with three tries per team. If still tied, the process continues until a winner is determined.
• PAT Options Expanded – After touchdowns, teams now have multiple conversion choices: a one-point kick from the 33-yard line, a two-point play from the two, or a three-point attempt from the eight.

UFL officials also restored a standard coin toss at the start of games and overtime, giving the visiting team the first call — a departure from past seasons’ home-team choice format.

Betting Lines and Sportsbooks Supporting the UFL

The UFL season kicks off on March 27 with games broadcast on Fox, FS1, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. The league offers some extra action for football fans who already enjoy NFL betting and want to add some extra football to their sports menu.

With broader media exposure and growing interest from betting markets, numerous sportsbooks now offer futures and game-by-game betting lines on the league. Industry leaders like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook have included UFL odds on their boards.

FanDuel, in particular, has provided early futures markets that reflect both league parity and enthusiasts’ predictions. Mainstream betting interest underscores the UFL’s expansion from a niche developmental league to a sport that engages both casual fans and sharp bettors alike.

Teams and Players to Watch in 2026

For 2026, the league brings back a few old teams with a few new ones in the mix as well. The league has shifted to playing mostly in MLC soccer stadiums this year to better fit with the more moderate attendance compared to the NFL. The league boasts eight teams including:

• Birmingham Stallions
• Columbus Aviators (new market)
• Dallas Renegades
• DC Defenders
• Houston Gamblers
• Louisville Kings (new market)
• Orlando Storm (new market)
• St. Louis Battlehawks

St.Louis regularly leads the league in attendance, averaging more than 30,000 fans in attendance. The DC Defenders ended the 2025 season as league champions.

UFL Champions Through the Years

Since the UFL’s inception, a handful of teams have etched their names into the championship history. Here’s a look at the winner through the years including the USFL and XFL incarnations before the two leagues merged after the 2024 season.

• 2022 – Birmingham Stallions (USFL)
• 2023 – Arlington Renegades (XFL), Birmingham Stallions (USFL)
• 2024 – San Antonio Brahmas (XFL), Birmingham Stallions (USFL)
• 2025 – DC Defenders