The 2026 UFL season begins on Friday, March 27, with a slate of games that introduces several relocated franchises and significant rule changes.
The opening matchup features the Birmingham Stallions traveling to face the Louisville Kings at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. This game is particularly notable because it marks the coaching debuts of former NFL quarterbacks AJ McCarron for Birmingham and Chris Redman for Louisville.
On Saturday, March 28, the action continues with a high-profile rivalry game as the defending champion DC Defenders visit the St. Louis Battlehawks at noon ET on ESPN. Later that afternoon, the Houston Gamblers play the Dallas Renegades at 4:00 PM ET on FOX.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, March 29, when the Columbus Aviators travel to take on the Orlando Storm at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.
There were three major franchise shifts where the Michigan Panthers became the Columbus Aviators, the Memphis Showboats became the Louisville Kings, and the San Antonio Brahmas became the Orlando Storm.
Get the latest UFL news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don’t miss the football action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!
UFL Week 1 Odds and Preview at Bookmaker
The Birmingham Stallions open as 3.5-point favorites against the Louisville Kings, with a game total of 44.5 points. The moneyline for this matchup is Birmingham at -175 and Louisville +150.
In the Saturday afternoon game, the St. Louis Battlehawks are surprise 2.5-point underdogs against the DC Defenders, with the highest over-under total of the week at 44.5 points. The moneyline for this contest is St. Louis at +145 and DC at -170.
The second Saturday game features the Dallas Renegades as 5.5-point favorites over the Houston Gamblers, with a total of 41.5 points—the moneyline lists Dallas at -220 and Houston at +180.
For the Sunday night finale, the Columbus Aviators are 1.5-point road dogs against the Orlando Storm. The total for the Sunday game is 42.5 points with the moneyline at Columbus +105 and Orlando -130.
Matchup and Game Analysis
The Friday night opener between the Birmingham Stallions and Louisville Kings focuses on the debut of the Stallions new head coach, AJ McCarron, against a Kings roster that was rebranded from the Memphis Showboats.
Saturday features a high-stakes rematch between the DC Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks, two of the top teams from the previous season. The Battlehawks are favorites, largely due to home-field advantage at the BattleDome, where they historically draw the league's largest crowds. This game has the highest total of the week because both teams return veteran offensive cores and high-powered passing attacks.
In the second Saturday game, the Dallas Renegades host the Houston Gamblers in a Texas rivalry matchup. Dallas is favored because it has prioritized experienced offensive line play to protect quarterback Luis Perez.
The Sunday night finale between the Columbus Aviators and Orlando Storm represents a complete reset for two relocated franchises. The Storm, formerly the San Antonio Brahmas, are expected to struggle early as they implement a new offensive system with significant roster turnover.
UFL Week 1 Best Bets
The Birmingham Stallions are considered a strong moneyline play to open the season because they return the most talented backfield in the league.
For the point spread, the Columbus Aviators against the Orlando Storm is a primary target. The Aviators inherited a veteran defensive unit from the former Michigan Panthers that led the league in sacks and turnovers last season.
The best bet on the game total is the over in the matchup between the DC Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks. This game features the two most established quarterbacks in the league, Jordan Ta'amu and Brandon Silvers.
In the player prop market, the over on receiving yards for Hakeem Butler of the St. Louis Battlehawks is a top choice. He was the most productive receiver in the league last year and remains the primary target in an explosive passing attack.
Best Bets: Birmingham Stallions Moneyline, Columbus Aviators Pointspread
Over/Under Pick: Defenders vs. Battlehawks Over the Total
Player Prop Picks: Hakeem Butler Over the Receiving Yards Total
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