UFL Week 1 Review

Week 1 of the 2026 UFL season is in the books and the first weekend displayed play far ahead of the 2025 season opening. The extra time in training camp definitely paid off with offenses looking sharp and defenses hustling around. Mike Repole appeared at two games and delivered excellent interviews. His methods are brash but he has a vision for spring football. 

The early attendance numbers were also solid. St. Louis reported 31k and the Dome looked filled to that number. Louisville reported a sellout and the Kings' crowd brought immense energy. Orlando's 11k were loud and the Storm rewarded their fans with a victory. Dallas' crowd wasn't up to expectations but the Renegades routed Houston with a proficient offense. 

DC-St. Louis drew 938k in viewership on ESPN - a spectacular number that prompted ESPNPR's X account to celebrate. Birmingham-Louisville posted the usual 600k number for Friday night. Columbus-Orlando grabbed a respectable 466k on Sunday night. Spring football continues to build upon its niche audience. 

The new rules of a four-point field goal (60+) and having to go for it after passing the 50-yard line were immediate successes. DC converted on a lengthy field goal opportunity and the fourth down attempts sparked intriguing strategies and play calls. 

Birmingham 15, Louisville 13

AJ McCarron christened his Stallions' debut with a thrilling win over the relocated Louisville Kings. Matt Corral looked poised and converted several 3rd and longs. If McCarron can corral the talent that made the former Ole Miss Rebel a third round NFL pick, Birmingham has the offensive weapons to dominate the league. 

Louisville's Jason Bean displayed confidence - a bit too much. He threw away a credible game-winning drive by tossing a 20-80 ball into the stratosphere. The Kings' head coach Chris Redman's take will be to harness Bean's aggressive tendencies into productive throws. Early returns suggest Louisville is a playoff caliber team. However, three turnovers to none will sink any squad. 

DC 10, St. Louis 16

St. Louis defeated their XFL rivals in a thrilling defensive showdown. The reigning league champion Defenders grabbed the early 10-0 lead but the Battlehawks defense rose up and shut down DC. St. Louis harassed Jordan Ta'amu all days, collecting a franchise record seven sacks. 

The Battlehawks' offense looked anemic without star wide receiver Hakeem Butler (inactive) and quarterback Michael Silvers failed to impress. But the team combined enough drives to outscore the downtrodden Defenders. 

Houston 17, Dallas 36

Another opening weekend, another dreadful Houston showing. The renamed Gamblers, replacing the Roughnecks moniker, rolled snake eyes against a hungry and determined Renegades squad. At this point, one wonders if the Houston franchise carries a curse from the aborted 2020 season. Kevin Sumlin continues his downward trajectory as a head coach. Bad spring football coaches are a special kind of tragic. In the NFL, it is a farce. In the UFL, it is depressing as an ASPCA commercial. 

Dallas made waves throughout the spring football commercial when the team announced Austin Reed would start over Luis "The King of Spring" Perez. The decision paid off, at least, for a week. Reed set the single game passing yardage record and threw three touchdowns against the hapless Gamblers. If Reed is the real deal, Dallas has the deepest QB room in the league. Fans have suggested trading for Perez but Dallas would be foolish to ship away a proven starter for a position player. 

Columbus 16, Orlando 23

Week 1 concluded with two relocated foes meeting in the Sunshine State. The game wasn't as close as the score. Orlando generally held control throughout the game. Columbus' best chance came after pinning Orlando with an elite punt. But an Aviator dropped a gift-wrapped pick six and the Storm, given new life, completed a long pass, setting up a touchdown drive. 

Columbus had a chance to tie the game but a sack derailed their final drive. Anthony Becht, who posted a 22-8 regular season record with St. Louis but went 0-2 in the playoffs, won his first game with Orlando. Becht, the new dean of UFL head coaches after Skip Holtz's departure, continues his winning ways. 

Power Rankings

1. St. Louis - DC might not be at the same level as in 2025, but St. Louis' defense broke through the Defenders' line like the British at Bladensburg. 

2. Birmingham - The Stallions' defense generated three turnovers and the offense delivered a clutch drive. McCarron coached like a veteran presence - he definitely learned from Saban - and the moment never appeared too big for him. 

3. Dallas - The Renegades are for real but Houston looked completely disorganized. Dallas, very well, could be the best team. 

4. Orlando - Anthony Becht is better than his online reputation would suggest and their offense scored 20+ points - not a common feat in early season UFL play. 

5. Louisville - The Kings have a quarterback. Their running game needs work but the playoffs are possible if they clean up their turnovers. 

6. DC - The Defenders are reigning champs but Ta'amu, as a pocket passer, is offensive line dependent. With spring football's notoriously shoddy offensive lines, he will have to adapt. 

7. Columbus - The Aviators refused to give up down 23-6. That is a good sign. Ted Ginn Jr. looked a bit overwhelmed in his coaching debut and his hat was crooked. Todd Haley's offense resembled stale bread. 

8. Houston - Poor coaching, poor defense, poor QB play, elite uniforms. The Gamblers are that  Pokémon card (hello, Base Set Charizard!) with cool art but completely worthless in competitive play. Houston, the team is a problem.