Over the past year, the United Football League (UFL) has restructured from top to bottom in a myriad of ways. One of those major changes: eliminating conferences. It’s a move that new Co-Owner Mike Repole pushed for, and ended up being a relatively easy decision for the UFL to make.
Spring football has traditionally featured eight teams per league, split between two Divisions/Conferences. The playoffs have always operated as follows: the top two teams from each division make the playoffs, battling it out for a spot in the Championship game.
This year, the UFL shook that structure up. All eight teams are in the same category, without any conference or division to divide them. This means that the top four teams will make the playoffs, plain and simple.
The History
It’s one of the best moves that a spring football league has made in recent history, for more than one reason. We’ve had a couple “controversial moments” in the past due to team records, in regards to who actually made the playoffs.
For example, during the XFL’s 2023 season, the St. Louis Battlehawks missed the playoffs at 7-3. Because the Arlington Renegades were the second seed in the South Division with a 4-6 record, they got in – and ended up winning the Championship.
The USFL’s 2023 season told a similar story as well. Their entire North Division finished with a 4-6 record, while the South Division teams had collective records of 5-5, 7-3, and 8-2. However, the Memphis Showboats and Houston Gamblers missed out on the postseason, with the 4-6 Pittsburgh Maulers and 4-6 Michigan Panthers continuing onwards. The Maulers, who appeared in the Championship, were 0-4 against South Division opponents.
Late Season Boredom
Over the last two seasons in the UFL, the playoff structure resulted in rather meaningless games the final couple weeks of the year. This isn’t the league’s fault, per se, it’s just how it played out. For example, in 2024, the Memphis Showboats and Houston Roughnecks combined for just three wins – it was very clear just several weeks into the year that Birmingham and Michigan would be the playoff teams in the USFL Conference.
Last year, the Arlington Renegades lost a couple of games midway through the year, dropping to 3-5 – and were eliminated from playoff contention. The same could be said for the Houston Roughnecks, who had a 3-5 record by week eight. The final two weeks of matchups were for playoff “seeding” – which didn’t even matter, because of venue availability issues.
The 2026 Difference
We’re six weeks into the 2026 UFL season, and it’s been a pleasant surprise. The only team who seems to be a playoff lock at this point are the DC Defenders. For everyone else, they need to continue to win if they want to lock in a berth, or give themselves a chance to stay on the bubble.
As it stands right now, here are the UFL’s Standings:
DC Defenders, 5-1
St. Louis Battlehawks, 4-2
Orlando Storm, 4-2
Dallas Renegades, 3-3
Birmingham Stallions, 2-4
Columbus Aviators, 2-4
Louisville Kings, 2-4
Houston Gamblers, 2-4
The parity across the league has been quite impressive. Anyone, on any given day, can beat anyone. This was evident last week, when the 1-4 Birmingham Stallions upset the 4-1 Orlando Storm on the road, to keep their season alive.
To take an even closer look at where everyone stands, here’s a breakdown of who has defeated who:
DC: Birmingham, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis
St. Louis: Birmingham, DC, Louisville, Orlando
Orlando: Birmingham, Columbus, Louisville 2x
Dallas: Columbus, Houston, St. Louis
Birmingham: Louisville, Orlando
Columbus: Dallas, Houston
Louisville: Dallas, Houston
Houston: Birmingham, Columbus
These next few weeks are shaping up to be incredibly exciting, down to the very last snap. This upcoming slate alone features quite a few key storylines, as teams battle to maintain leverage, or pick up steam with just a few games left to play.
“The UFL’s decision to have its teams compete as a united eight-team league rather than a league divided by two conferences not only represents a new era and a new evolution for the league, but also reflects the league’s mission to bring fans, players, teams, and communities together through a shared love of the game. When our top four teams take the field during the playoffs this June, you will truly see the very best that spring football has to offer.” – UFL CEO & President Russ Brandon
For example, the Birmingham Stallions are a team with new life, fueled by the trade for Dorian Thompson-Robinson. They play Dallas and Columbus over the next two weeks – two games that are certainly winnable. After an abysmal 1-4 start, there is a realistic scenario where they are 4-4 with two weeks to play.
On the flip-side, the Dallas Renegades started the season 3-0 – and have lost three straight. They face off against a surging Stallions team on the road, then return “home” to play an Orlando franchise desperate to get back on track. The door is wide open for someone to eclipse Dallas for that fourth playoff berth.
Week Seven Matchups:
Columbus (2-4) @ St. Louis (4-2)
Louisville (2-4) @ DC (5-1)
Dallas (3-3) @ Birmingham (2-4)
Orlando (4-2) @ Houston (2-4)
Here’s a crazy scenario (courtesy of Abdul Memon). If Columbus, Louisville, Birmingham, and Houston win this weekend, we will have seven teams with records of either 4-3, or 3-4. You won’t find slimmer margins than that anywhere else.
Regardless of what happens in week seven, the entire rest of the season is bound to be quite entertaining. With the resurgence of Birmingham and Columbus, paired with the downfalls of Dallas and Orlando – anything is possible.
The UFL will kick off this Friday night, as the St. Louis Battlehawks host the Columbus Aviators at 8pm ET on FOX. These final few weeks will be must-watch football. You can secure your tickets here.
What are your thoughts on the United Football League making this adjustment for the 2026 season? Is it the right move? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
