UFL Preview: How to Watch With Sling, Schedule, and More

Missing football? The UFL is back. Here's everything you need to know about the Spring football league, plus how to watch live with Sling.

After a successful first season, the United Football League (UFL) kicks off its sophomore year this week. The Spring football league saw a number of its stars get called up to the NFL last year, including kicker Jake Bates, who kicked a 64-yard game-winning field goal for the Michigan Panthers before joining the Detroit Lions and setting a new franchise record for points in a season (142). As we wait to discover this season’s breakout stars, here’s a preview of the 2025 UFL season and how to watch it with Sling.

What Are the Teams in the UFL?

The UFL consists of eight teams split into two conferences named for their original leagues. The USFL Conference is made up of the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats, and Michigan Panthers. The XFL Conference includes the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, San Santonio Brahmas, and St. Louis Battlehawks. The regular season will be 10-games, followed by a Conference Championship round, then the UFL Championship game, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 14.

How Do You Watch UFL Football with Sling?

The broadcast rights to the UFL are split between four networks: ESPN, FOX, ABC, and FS1. ESPN and ABC games (simulcast on ESPN3 on Sling) are available with Sling Orange; FS1 is available with Sling Blue and ABC and FOX are available with Sling Blue in select markets. So the best way to watch the full UFL inaugural season is to subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue.

What Rules Are Different in the UFL?

The UFL views itself as a testing ground for innovations across the sport of football. In fact, one of the XFL’s unique rules was adopted by the NFL last season: the “dynamic kickoff,” which reduced injuries while juicing the overall return rate. Ironically, the UFL didn’t not use this rule in its debut season, but it will this year, with the modification that kickers will line up at their own 30 yard line and touchbacks will be placed at the 40-yard line (the NFL marked the ball at the 30). According to ESPN, other rule changes this year include a second “super challenge” (“the option to challenge one officiating decision of any type, including penalties or no-calls”); allowing up to 10 players to have helmet speakers (and increase from eight last year); and body cameras for two to four players to be used in the broadcasts.

Other noteworthy rules that differ from the NFL include:

• Following a touchdown, teams cannot kick an extra point. Instead, they have three play options: Score from the 2-yard line (1 point); score from the 5-yard line (2 points); or score from the 10-yard line (3 points).
• Two forward passes are allowed, as long as the ball does not cross the line of scrimmage at any time prior to the second pass attempt.

Follow this link for a complete list of UFL rules.

Which Teams are the Favorites to Win the UFL Championship?

According to DraftKings, the Birmingham Stallions – who have won three straight championships – are the favorites to win once again, with +185 odds. They’re followed by the St. Louis Battlehawks at +320, the San Antonio Brahmas at +600, at the D.C. Defenders and Michigan Panthers at +650.

To watch UFL football all season long with Sling TV, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue. Check out the full schedule below.

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UFL Regular Season Schedule

To watch the most games with Sling TV, subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue!