2026 UFL Season Kicks Off: Storm, Stallions, Renegades and Battlehawks Secure Week 1 Victories

The opening weekend of games delivered exciting matchups, featuring new expansion teams, relocated franchises and a showdown with the defending champions.

Kicking off the season on FOX UFL Friday, the Birmingham Stallions earned a narrow victory over the Louisville Kings, one of the league’s three new expansion teams, in a tightly contested matchup.

Saturday’s action opened with a clash between established UFL teams, as the St. Louis Battlehawks defeated the reigning champion DC Defenders in a notable upset. Later that afternoon, the Dallas Renegades—who relocated from Arlington this season—dominated the Houston Gamblers, a franchise that has returned to its original legacy USFL name for the 2026 season.

The weekend concluded on Sunday with a matchup between two new expansion teams, the Columbus Aviators and the Orlando Storm, closing out an eventful first week of play.

Across all Week 1 contests, standout performances emerged from key players at every position. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive playmakers alike delivered impactful plays, including record-setting special teams kicks, game-sealing interceptions, dominant passing performances and momentum-shifting defensive touchdowns.

The opening games showcased the league’s new look and competitive energy, with close finishes, dominant displays and historic moments highlighting the start of the 2026 campaign.

Looking ahead to Week 2, the league’s teams will shift focus to their next matchups, with the Stallions, Kings, Battlehawks, Defenders and other franchises set to continue their 2026 UFL seasons.