The United Football League wrapped up its 2025 season with the DC Defenders crushing the Michigan Panthers 58-34 in the championship game. Jordan Ta’amu threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns, setting a UFL record in the process. For Canadian football fans who want to follow the action next season, the question of access comes down to two things: which streaming services carry the broadcasts and which sportsbooks accept wagers on spring football.
The UFL operates eight teams split between two conferences. Arlington Renegades, Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks, and Memphis Showboats compete in the USFL Conference. The XFL Conference features the DC Defenders, Michigan Panthers, San Antonio Brahmas, and St. Louis Battlehawks. Each team plays 10 regular season games with no bye weeks.
Broadcast Coverage and Canadian Viewing Options
FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1 combine to air all 43 UFL games each season. According to FOX Sports, 74% of games appear on either ABC or FOX. ABC carries 12 games, including the championship. The remaining broadcasts split across ESPN’s family of networks, with 9 on ESPN, 1 on ESPN2, and 1 on FS1.
Canadian viewers have strong access to most UFL games through standard cable and over-the-air options. FOX and ABC are widely available on basic cable packages from providers like Rogers, Bell, and Shaw, as well as via OTA antennas in border regions such as southern Ontario and British Columbia. This covers approximately 74% of the season directly without additional fees. ESPN is accessible in premium sports tiers (often $10–15/month extra via packages like Sportsnet One). However, FS1 remains unavailable on Canadian cable due to ongoing CRTC approval issues.
For full coverage, streaming fills the gaps: FOX and FS1 games are available through the FOX Sports App (requires a U.S. TV provider login or services like Fubo/YouTube TV, accessible via VPN). Games on ABC and ESPN platforms simulcast on ESPN+, which costs $10.99 USD per month (geo-blocked in Canada; use a VPN like ExpressVPN for access). Comprehensive U.S. live TV streamers like YouTube TV ($73 USD/month) or Hulu + Live TV ($82.99 USD/month) include all networks with VPN.
TSN, owned 80% by Bell Media and 20% by ESPN Inc., operates as Canada’s primary sports network. This partnership enables some ESPN content on TSN+, which carried select UFL games in 2025, though full direct coverage was limited. A broader deal for future seasons remains possible but unconfirmed.
How Canadian Bettors Access UFL Lines
Ontario remains the only province with a fully regulated private sportsbook market. Platforms like BetMGM, DraftKings, bet365, and FanDuel operate under iGaming Ontario’s licensing framework. Outside Ontario, provincial lottery corporations run their own systems. British Columbia uses PlayNow through BCLC, Quebec offers Mise-o-jeu via Loto-Québec, and the Atlantic provinces operate Pro-Line through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
The rules around sports betting in Canada changed in 2021 when Bill C-218 legalized single-game wagering. Each province sets its own licensing terms, so access depends on location. Alberta is preparing to launch a private market similar to Ontario’s model.
Ontario’s Regulated Market
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario have approved 33 online sportsbooks to operate in the province. BetMGM, Caesars, TonyBet, BetRivers, bet365, and Sports Interaction are among the licensed operators. FanDuel entered the Canadian market in 2022 with a focus on Ontario and plans for expansion.
Bettors must be 19 or older and provide government-issued photo ID to verify their age. A driver’s license or passport typically satisfies this requirement. The AGCO maintains a directory of all registered operators on its website.
In March 2025, the AGCO fined BetMGM Canada $110,000 for marketing violations that occurred the previous year. Kambi Group became the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s official sportsbook partner in February 2025.
Ontario bettors can choose from 31 mobile sportsbooks or visit one of 8 retail locations to place wagers in person. ProLine+, the provincial lottery’s traditional betting platform, continues to operate alongside the private options.
Provincial Lottery Betting Outside Ontario
Residents of other provinces rely on their local lottery corporations for legal sports betting. BCLC runs PlayNow for British Columbia. Loto-Québec operates Mise-o-jeu. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation handles Pro-Line for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Saskatchewan and Manitoba use Sport Select through their respective lottery corporations.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Atlantic Lottery Corporation announced a partnership to develop a national sports betting platform. They invited other provincial crown corporations to participate. The project aims to consolidate offerings under the PROLINE brand, which various Canadian lottery corporations have used since 1992. Loto-Québec stated it would consider joining but provided no update on its decision.
The Canadian Gaming Association estimates that $10 billion flows through illegal booking services annually, with an additional $4 billion wagered through offshore platforms. The provincial systems compete against these unregulated alternatives.
What UFL Betting Lines Look Like
UFL betting mirrors NFL wagering in structure. Sportsbooks post point spreads, moneylines, and totals for each game. The 10-game regular season schedule means 40 betting opportunities during the spring, plus 3 postseason matchups.
The 2025 championship saw the DC Defenders outscore Michigan 31-6 in the second quarter alone. Games can produce lopsided results, which affects how lines move throughout the season. Books adjust their numbers based on performance data as the year progresses.
Spring football leagues carry smaller betting limits than NFL games. The handle sizes are lower, and sharp action can move lines quickly. Bettors should expect less market efficiency compared to major professional leagues.
Betting Age Requirements Across Canada
Ontario, British Columbia, and the Atlantic provinces set the minimum age at 19. Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec allow betting at 18. Verification happens during the account registration process on all licensed platforms.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The UFL typically releases its schedule several months before the season opener. The 2025 season ran from March 28 to June 14. Canadian viewers and bettors should monitor announcements from FOX Sports and ESPN regarding broadcast schedules and international streaming availability.
For those in Ontario, the existing sportsbook infrastructure will carry UFL lines when the new season begins. Residents of other provinces will need to check their provincial lottery platforms for coverage of spring football markets. The betting options remain more limited outside Ontario, but legal pathways exist throughout the country.