Here’s how to watch every game of the 2026 UFL season
Here’s how to watch every game of the 2026 UFL season
The NFL may not be back until September, but that doesn’t mean you have to go
The gridiron action of UFL football is about to begin! Starting on Friday, March 27, the 2026 UFL season will span 10 regular-season weeks, followed by the playoffs, including the championship game. Contests will be presented on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, the ESPN App FS1, and NFL Network in the United States, and that means the perfect way to stream the season is with a subscription to the DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack.
How to watch the 2026 UFL season
- When: Starts Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, the ESPN App FS1, and NFL Network
- Stream: Watch with a subscription to DIRECTV.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 UFL season
Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.
Why do we recommend watching the 2026 UFL season on DIRECTV?
We think DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack is the perfect choice to watch the 2026 UFL season. The package carries all the channels you’ll need to stream every game, and also includes other major sports-carrying networks like CBS and NBC, as well as TNT, TBS, truTV, and more.
New customers can currently get a $20 discount off their first two months of the MySports plan, lowering the price to just $45. It also comes with a five-day free trial, and even includes access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. This means you won’t have to pay any extra or worry about how to unlock this season’s UFL game on the ESPN App; it’s already included with DIRECTV!
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
Can you watch the 2026 UFL season for free?
Not the whole ten-week season, but there are streamers besides DIRECTV that will offer at least some games from the 2026 UFL season with a free trial.
Hulu + Live TV includes a three-day free trial for all new customers. After the trial ends, the package costs $90 per month and includes all the needed channels to stream games.
Fubo has these channels as well, and its cheapest plan that carries them is the Fubo Sports service, with a $46 first-month price. Its trial lasts between one and seven days.
YouTube TV’s trial can also vary in length, depending on the time of month, promotions, and other factors. The free trial can last between two and 21 days, after which YouTube TV costs $83 per month.
What are all the services you can use to watch the 2026 UFL season?
You can stream the 2026 UFL season on DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. The availability of channels in the MySports Genre Pack, combined with the current low price of the plan, makes DIRECTV our favorite choice of these options.
Fans can also watch the 2026 UFL season on the ESPN Unlimited and Fox One streaming services, which can be purchased as a combo for $40 per month.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $25 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| ABC | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPN | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| Fox | + $19 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FS1 | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NFL Network | + $15 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
Watch a preview of the 2026 UFL season
What is the schedule of 2026 UFL games?
Week 1
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 27 | 8 p.m. | Birmingham Stallions vs. Louisville Kings | Fox |
| Saturday, March 28 | 12 noon | DC Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | ESPN |
| Saturday, March 28 | 4 p.m. | Houston Gamblers vs. Dallas Renegades | Fox |
| Sunday, March 29 | 8 p.m. | Columbus Aviators vs. Orlando Storm | ESPN |
Week 2
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 3 | 8 p.m. | DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators | Fox |
| Saturday, April 4 | 8 p.m. | Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 5 | 6 p.m. | Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers | NFL Network |
| Tuesday, April 7 | 8 p.m. | St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades | FS1 |
Week 3
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 10 | 8 p.m. | Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings | Fox |
| Saturday, April 11 | 12 noon | Houston Gamblers vs. DC Defenders | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 12 | 12 noon | Columbus Aviators vs. Dallas Renegades | ABC |
| Sunday, April 12 | 3 p.m. | Birmingham Stallions vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | ABC |
Week 4
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 16 | 8 p.m. | Louisville Kings vs. Houston Gamblers | NFL Network |
| Friday, April 17 | 8 p.m. | Dallas Renegades vs. Columbus Aviators | Fox |
| Saturday, April 18 | 12:30 p.m. | St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders | ABC |
| Saturday, April 18 | 4 p.m. | Orlando Storm vs. Birmingham Stallions | Fox |
Week 5
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 24 | 8 p.m. | DC Defenders vs. Birmingham Stallions | Fox |
| Saturday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Orlando Storm | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 26 | 12 noon | Columbus Aviators vs. Houston Gamblers | ABC |
| Sunday, April 26 | 3 p.m. | Louisville Kings vs. Dallas Renegades | ABC |
Week 6
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 24 | 8 p.m. | DC Defenders vs. Birmingham Stallions | Fox |
| Saturday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Orlando Storm | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 26 | 12 noon | Columbus Aviators vs. Houston Gamblers | ABC |
| Sunday, April 26 | 3 p.m. | Louisville Kings vs. Dallas Renegades | ABC |
Week 7
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 8 | 8 p.m. | Columbus Aviators vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | Fox |
| Saturday, May 9 | 1:30 p.m. | Louisville Kings vs. DC Defenders | Fox |
| Saturday, May 9 | 8 p.m. | Dallas Renegades vs. Birmingham Stallions | ESPN |
| Sunday, May 10 | 6 p.m. | Orlando Storm vs. Houston Gamblers | FS1 |
Week 8
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 15 | 8 p.m. | Orlando Storm vs. Dallas Renegades | Fox |
| Saturday, May 16 | 12 noon | DC Defenders vs. Louisville Kings | ABC |
| Saturday, May 16 | 3 p.m. | Houston Gamblers vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | ABC |
| Sunday, May 17 | 1 p.m. | Columbus Aviators vs. Birmingham Stallions | Fox |
Week 9
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 22 | 8 p.m. | DC Defenders vs. Orlando Storm | Fox |
| Saturday, May 23 | 3 p.m. | Birmingham Stallions vs. Columbus Aviators | ABC |
| Sunday, May 24 | 4 p.m. | Dallas Renegades vs. Louisville Kings | Fox |
| Sunday, May 24 | 7 p.m. | St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Gamblers | ESPN2 |
Week 10
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 29 | 8 p.m. | Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | Fox |
| Saturday, May 30 | 3 p.m. | Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, May 31 | 12 noon | Orlando Storm vs. DC Defenders | ABC |
| Sunday, May 31 | 6 p.m. | Louisville Kings vs. Columbus Aviators | Fox |
UFL postseason
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 7 | 3 p.m. | UFL Semifinal 1 | ABC |
| Sunday, June 7 | 6 p.m. | UFL Semifinal 2 | Fox |
| Saturday, June 13 | 3 p.m. | UFL Championship | ABC |
How to watch the 2026 UFL season from anywhere
If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the 2026 UFL season as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action, no matter where you are in the world, with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV in order to stream the games with a VPN.

NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!
While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.
- Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
- Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
- Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available
