XFL vs. USFL: What Is The Difference Between XFL And USFL?

The spring season is now filled with pro football odds from multiple pro leagues, as the USFL and the XFL are now competing for viewership during April and May. "What is the difference between the XFL and USFL?" is a question we often receive, so we've created this exhaustive XFL vs. USFL comparison to assist.

Below, we compare the similarities in the USFL and XFL rules, and the areas that set them apart. We also share a list of our favorite XFL betting sites that accept members from inside the United States. These online sportsbooks also offer USFL odds.

Table of Contents

Best XFL Betting Sites For 2023

Rank	Bonus	Link
#1	75% up to $750	Review
#2	125% up to $3,125	Review
#3	50% up to $1,000	Review
#4	50% up to $1,000
#5	50% up to $500	Review

What The XFL And USFL Have In Common

8 Total Teams
All USFL And XFL Teams Are Owned By Their Respective Leagues
North And South 4-Team Divisions
Ten-Week Regular Season
The Top Two Teams In Each Division Meet In The XFL and USFL Playoffs
The USFL And XFL playoff betting Consist Of Two Semifinal Games
Each Team Gets One Review Request Per Game
Both The USFL And XFL Have A Franchise Located In Houston (Roughnecks/Gamblers)
Two Forward Passes Can Occur On The Same Play As Long As The First Reception Happens Behind The Line Of Scrimmage
Both Leagues Have Failed Before

What Is The Difference Between USFL And XFL

The USFL Season Runs Between May And July. The XFL Season Runs From The Weekend After The Super Bowl In February Until May.
The XFL Kicks Off From The 25 Yard Line. The USFL Kicks Off From The 30 Yard Line.
XFL Kickoffs Must Land Between The Opposing Goal Line And The 20 Yard Line. Only The Kicker And Returner Can Move Until The Ball Is Caught. Blockers Line Up At The 30, With The Defenders Lined Up At The 35. USFL Kickoffs Must Travel 20 Yards Before The Kicking Team Can Recover The Ball.
USFL Teams Can Retain The Ball After Scoring By Recovering An Onside Kick, Or By Converting A 4^th And 12^th Attempt From Their Own 33. XFL Teams Can Also Recover An Onside Kick, Or In The 4^th Quarter, They Can Convert A 4^th And 15 From Their Own 25.
USFL PATs Can Result In 1, 2, Or 3 Points. A Field Goal From The 15 Is Worth 1, A Conversion From The 2 Is Worth 2, And A Conversion From The 10 Is Worth 3. XFL PATs Can Also Result In 1, 2, Or 3 Points. A 1-Point-Conversion Can Be Made From The 1, 2 Points From The 5, And 3 Points From The 10. There Are No Extra Point Kicks In The XFL.
Overtime: The XFL And The USFL Both Employ A Shootout Style Overtime. In The USFL, Each Team Is Given Three Chances At Scoring From The 2 Yard Line, With Each Score Worth 2 Points. In The XFL, Overtime Works The Same As The USFL Except That Attempts Are Made From The 5.
A Reception Requires That Both Feet Land In Bounds In The USFL. The XFL Only Requires One Foot To Be Established In Bounds For A Reception.
Pass Interference Penalties In Both Leagues Are A Spot Foul, But In The USFL, There Is The Potential For A 15-Yard Unintentional Pass Interference Penalty. In The XFL, A PI Can Be Called On A Ball Thrown To A Receiver That Is Behind The Line Of Scrimmage.
In The XFL, All Penalties And Fouls Can Be Reviewed. Personal Fouls Can Be Reviewed In The USFL.
XFL vs. USFL Salary: The Annual XFL Salary Grants Players $5,000 Per Week And A $1,000 Bonus Is Given To The Winning Team. The Current USFL Salary Is $5,350 Per Week. Players From The USFL Team That Wins The Championship Will Receive Bonuses Of $5,000.
XFL Roster Size: 51 Players. USFL Roster Size: 50 Players.
XFL Teams Play 5 Home Games In Their Home Cities And 5 Away Games. USFL Games Are Played In Detroit, Canton, Birmingham, And Memphis.

More Comparison Guides:

XFL vs. NFL Comparison guide

USFL vs. XFL FAQs

Is the USFL the XFL?

No. Both are pro football leagues that play in the spring, and both have previously canceled all operations, but that is where the similarities end. The USFL and XFL are completely separate leagues and are operated by different owners. FOX owns the USFL, and the XFL is owned by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners.

Is There Any USFL XFL Overlap?

Yes. Week 9 of the XFL Season occurs on the same weekend as the USFL’s Week 1 games.

Is the USFL or XFL better?

The XFL and USFL are very similar, so preference may come down to the slight differences in rules. The XFL certainly offers more sizzle than the USFL, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's ownership drawing added attention to the league.

Will the USFL and XFL merge?

While no official announcement has been made regarding talks between the two leagues, there remains a possibility that the USFL and XFL could merge one day. Their respective seasons overlap by nearly a month, so a USFL/XFL Championship Game could conceivably be scheduled if both leagues are interested in pursuing the endeavor.

Can the USFL and XFL coexist?

That remains to be seen. All spring pro football leagues have failed in the past, including prior incarnations of the XFL and USFL. The XFL is amid its third go-round, and the USFL is currently in its second incarnation. Time will tell as to whether one or both leagues can make it for the long haul.