The United Football League is officially gearing up for its most ambitious season yet. On January 5, 2026, UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon unveiled a comprehensive player selection and team allocation process designed to stock the league’s eight rosters ahead of the 2026 spring season.
This year’s draft cycle, held at the UFL headquarters in Arlington, introduces a strategic three-phase approach to ensure competitive balance as the league welcomes three expansion franchises.
A New Era of Expansion
The 2026 season marks a significant shift in the UFL landscape. While five legacy franchises return—the Birmingham Stallions, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, and St. Louis Battlehawks—the league is introducing three new markets: the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm.
“As we work toward fulfilling our bold vision for the UFL that includes new markets and new teams, presenting a dynamic product on the field remains our cornerstone,” said Russ Brandon. “We have laid out an innovative selection process that will lead to an exciting brand of football this spring.”
The Three-Phase Selection Process
To build these rosters from the ground up, the UFL has established a rigorous timeline beginning in early January:
The Quarterback Draft (Jan. 9): In the most critical phase, head coaches will collaborate with the centralized scouting department to select their signal-callers. While the draft occurs on January 9, the results will be withheld until a formal league-wide announcement on January 12.
Regional College Allocation (Jan. 10): Teams can protect and sign up to three players from their specific regional footprint. This “right of first refusal” allows teams to maintain local ties and will also be announced on January 12.
The UFL Draft (Jan. 13-14): The main event takes place over two days in Arlington.
Day 1 focuses on 2025 rostered players not protected on “Reserve Lists.”
Day 2 opens the floor to free agents, including 2025 and 2026 NFL draft-eligible prospects.
The draft will utilize a “snake style” format, determined by a virtual lottery, to ensure equity across the eight UFL teams.
Looking Ahead to Kickoff
The draft is the first major milestone in a season that promises to look very different. In a strategic pivot led by co-owner Mike Repole, many teams are moving into soccer-specific stadiums to create more intimate, high-energy atmospheres. This includes the Dallas Renegades moving to Toyota Stadium and the Houston Gamblers returning to Shell Energy Stadium.
The 10-week regular season is scheduled to kick off on Friday, March 27, 2026. Following the regular season, the league will transition into a two-week postseason, culminating in the United Football League Championship Game in mid-June.
With training camp rosters capped at 64 players, the coming weeks will determine which athletes will lead these new-look franchises into the next chapter of spring football.