The United Football League’s inaugural season took place this spring, following the merger of the XFL and USFL. The upcoming Year 2 will mirror its debut season.
In 2024, the UFL consisted of eight teams playing a 10-week regular season schedule. The Birmingham Stallions, champions of the USFL’s final two seasons, emerged victorious in the first UFL championship. The league will return in 2025 with the same teams and locations as the previous year, according to UFL executive VP of football operations Daryl Johnston.
“We are going to be able to dial into the details. We’re going to have a traditional offseason calendar where we can be ahead of the curve instead of chasing it. I think that’s something that everyone’s excited about,” Johnston said.
In 2024, the UFL averaged 43.7 total points per game, slightly surpassing the scoring output of the XFL and USFL from the previous season. Television ratings saw a 34% increase compared to 2023, with solid attendance in St. Louis but struggles in other markets. The focus now is on building trust and consistent followings in all markets.
“With our home markets, we’ve got to build that trust there – that we’re not going to leave or the league isn’t going to fold. We’ve still got some trust to build in our home markets,” Johnston added.
Many UFL players have secured deals with NFL teams recently, using the spring league as a platform to showcase their skills. The league also experiments with new rules and technology, possibly continuing into the future as they aim for long-term success. The focus now shifts to 2025 with the same structure as this year’s season.
