DraftKings Network's UFL Season Preview

Zach Thompson breaks down the new-look UFL and championship odds for the 2026 spring football season.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in vibrant colors representing a UFL football game, with players and the field broken down into overlapping planes and shapes.The UFL's new era of spring football is marked by a visually striking, cubist-inspired depiction of the action on the field.Louisville Today

Zach Thompson takes a look around the new-look UFL and breaks down some championship odds for the 2026 spring football season. The league has a totally different look as it kicks off the new season with new teams, new names, new rules and new stadiums in play.

Why it matters

The UFL is entering a new era with major changes to the league, including the dissolution of the USFL and XFL conferences, relocation of several teams, and new rules that could significantly impact gameplay and strategy. Fans and bettors will need to closely follow these developments to understand how the league has changed and which teams have the best chance of winning the championship.

The details

Week 1 of the UFL kicked off on Friday, March 27, with the Louisville Kings hosting the Birmingham Stallions. The Stallions emerged victorious, 15-13, starting a new era for the UFL. The league has made several key changes, including dissolving the USFL and XFL conferences, relocating the Michigan Panthers, Memphis Showboats and San Antonio Brahmas to the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm, and rebranding the Houston Roughnecks as the Houston Gamblers and the Arlington Renegades as the Dallas Renegades. The league also changed a few rules, banning the tush push and punts inside the 50-yard line except in the final two minutes of the half, and awarding four points for field goals of 60+ yards instead of three.

  • The UFL 2026 season kicked off on March 27, 2026.
  • The league championship game was played in 2025, with the DC Defenders defeating the Michigan Panthers 58-34.

The players

Shannon Harris

The head coach of the DC Defenders, who took over as interim head coach just before last year's championship season and was officially promoted to the job permanently last July.

Jordan Ta'amu

The quarterback for the DC Defenders, who threw for 2,153 yards and 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions in the regular season last year, and added five more touchdowns in the postseason, including 390 passing yards with four touchdowns in the championship game, with a fifth score on the ground.

Anthony Becht

The head coach of the Orlando Storm, who was previously the head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks, guiding them to a 22-8 record over three seasons.

Jashaun Corbin

The expected starting running back for the Orlando Storm, formerly of the New England Patriots.

Ted Ginn Jr.

The new head coach of the Columbus Aviators, who are closely tied to the Ohio State community.

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What they’re saying

“The UFL is excited to enter the Orlando market, and Becht's experience and DTR's upside make the Storm a sleeper team that could burst onto the scene in 2026.”

— Zach Thompson, Writer

What’s next

The UFL season will continue with Week 2 games on April 3, 2026, as teams look to establish themselves as contenders for the league championship.

The takeaway

The UFL is undergoing a major transformation with new teams, new rules, and new stadiums, creating an unpredictable landscape for the 2026 season. While the defending champion DC Defenders remain a favorite, upstart teams like the Orlando Storm and Columbus Aviators could emerge as dark horses to claim the title. Fans and bettors will need to closely follow the league's developments to stay ahead of the curve.