On Thursday, the UFL announced the upcoming schedule for the 2026 season. UFL co-owner Mike Repole is keeping his promise to create a more fun, fan-friendly experience by featuring several themed events that highlight the host city’s environment and local culture.
As one of three expansion teams, the Louisville Kings‘ schedule has the team set for an exciting first season. Thrilled to have local hometown hero Chris Redman as the team’s head coach, the city welcomed the team with a two-year commitment at Lynn Family Stadium. Several prime-time evening games could also see the Kings gain national popularity with increased TV ratings.
Week 1: Louisville Kings v. Birmingham Stallions
The action begins Week 1 when Louisville hosts the UFL’s annual kickoff game. The Kings open their season on Friday, March 27th, against the three-time Championship Birmingham Stallions. One of the most successful spring teams, the Stallions will be playing for the first time without legendary coach Skip Holtz. The team will undoubtedly have a new look under head coach AJ McCarron. Following his NFL career, McCarron found success as the St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback. Now, he returns home to Alabama to take the reins as the Stallions’ coach.
One of the more interesting storylines for this game is the similarity between the coaches. Both men found tremendous success playing football, with McCarron a three-time National Champion at Alabama, and Redman winning a Super Bowl with the 2001 Baltimore Ravens team. However, like Redman, McCarron lacks experience as a professional football coach. It will be interesting to see these two men strategize and make adjustments in the heat of a game.
Catch the game on FOX at 8:00 pm, Friday, March 27, 2026.
Week 2: Louisville Kings at Orlando Storm
In Week 2, the Kings play another expansion team, the Orlando Storm. As a new team entering the league, the Storm has one of the UFL’s most experienced coaches in Anthony Becht. The former head coach of the Battlehawks, Becht, presided over one of the more successful spring teams, twice leading his team to the playoffs with a combined 22-8 record.
In addition, the Storm have two of the league’s most exciting All-UFL Team players on their roster with return specialist Chris Rowland and running back Jashaun Corbin.
Rowland, the former D.C. Defenders elite kick returner, finished the 2024 UFL season returner, with 45 returns for 1,226 yards. He added another 262 yards on 20 receptions with three touchdowns. As the former San Antonio Brahmas running back, Corbin led the league in rushing last year with 514 yards and four touchdowns.
The game will be televised on ESPN at 8:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Week 3: Louisville Kings v. Orlando Storm
One week later, these two teams meet again. This time, it will be on the Kings’ turf. Having had the opportunity to size each other up, fans should expect to see a highly competitive battle.
Armed with two games under their belt, Redman’s offense and defense should be developing a familiarity and comfort level. Playing their second game at home in front of a friendly Louisville crowd should also give them an added advantage.
The game will be televised on Friday, April 10th, at 8:00 pm on FOX.
Week 4: Louisville Kings at Houston Gamblers
In Week 4, the Kings take on the renamed Houston Roughnecks. In addition to a new name, the Gamblers have a new head coach in Kevin Sumlin. A well-respected collegiate football coach who guided the Houston Cougars and Texas A&M Aggies to championship seasons, Sumlin is a welcome presence for Gamblers fans.
Returning to the Gamblers’ roster is talented wide receiver Justin Hall. Houston gains another solid receiving option with former San Antonio Brahmas wide receiver and return specialist Jontre Kirklin.
The game will be available on the ESPN App on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 8:00 pm.
Week 5: Louisville Kings at Dallas Renegades
For the second week in a row and the second game in Texas, the Kings will take on a renamed UFL team. The Arlington Renegades have been renamed the Dallas Renegades. Taking over as the new head coach is former UCLA Rose Bowl MVP and NFL quarterback, Rick Neuheisel. A veteran collegiate coach who also coached in the NFL, Neuheisel will take over a talented roster headed by spring football star quarterback Luis Perez. Joining Perez are his two top receivers, Deontay Burnett and All-UFL Team wide receiver Tyler Vaughns.
The game will be televised on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3:00 pm on ABC.
Week 6: Louisville Kings v. St. Louis Battlehawks
Week 6 opens with Louisville hosting a premier annual event to kick off Derby week, with a special Thursday night game. This year, the Kings welcome the Battlehawks and new head coach, NFL legend Ricky Proehl, to Lynn Family Stadium. During his legendary NFL career, Proehl appeared in four Super Bowls, earning a ring with the St. Louis Rams and the Indianapolis Colts. Following his playing career, he earned a fifth Super Bowl appearance in 2015 as the wide receivers coach of the Carolina Panthers. In addition to his St. Louis connection with the Rams, Proehl previously served as the Battlehawks’ wide receivers coach under Becht in 2023. Now, he returns as their head coach.
Catch the action Thursday, April 30, at 8:00 p.m. on FS1.
Week 7: Louisville Kings at D.C. Defenders
One of the more experienced teams entering the 2026 season is the defending UFL Champion D.C. Defenders. In addition to the return of quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, coachShannon Harris is returning. Taking over as a first-time head coach following Reggie Barlow’s departure, Harris led the team to a national title in 2025. Playing at Audi Field against the Defenders and Harris could prove to be the Kings’ biggest test this season.
The game will be televised on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 1:30 pm on FOX.
Week 8: Louisville Kings v. D.C. Defenders
One week later, these two teams will meet again at Lynn Family Stadium. With the return 2025 All-UFL team cornerback DeAndre Baker and EDGE Derick Roberson, along with former Houston safety Leon O’Neal, D.C. has one of the more talented defenses in the league. Redman will have quite a challenge on his hands facing this team in consecutive weeks. Abram Smith and Deon Jackson pose a threat as all-purpose running backs, receivers, and kickoff specialists.
The game will be televised on Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 noon on ABC.
Week 9: Louisville Kings v. Dallas Renegades
Week 9 offers a rematch against the Renegades. It will be the final home game for the Kings’ 2026 season.
The game will be televised on Sunday, May 24, at 4:00 pm on FOX.
Week 10: Louisville Kings at Columbus Aviators
Louisville will close out the regular season with a trip to Ohio to take on the Columbus Aviators. Coached by Ohio State and NFL great Ted Ginn, Jr., the Aviators are one of three new expansion teams. An Ohio legend, Ginn, Jr., is certain to excite fans with his passion for football and love of the Buckeye state. As a first-time coach, he lacks the experience of Becht, Neuheisel, Proehl, and Sumlin. However, his experience as a wide receiver and return specialist should lead to an exciting offense for the Aviators.
Quarterback Jalan McClendon was a key reason for Houston’s turnaround in season two. McClendon has a talented wide receiver room to work with, featuring former Houston WR Keke Chism and Birmingham’s Amari Rodgers.
Running back Toa Taua quickly became a fan favorite for the Michigan Panthers with his improbable success story. A mid-season replacement who became a breakout star, Taua worked at a local golf course to pay for a gym membership to stay in shape to pursue his dream of a professional football career.
The game will be televised on Sunday, May 31, at 6:00 pm on FOX.
Final Thoughts:
The Kings’ schedule presents an interesting mix of fun-filled, challenging games. Furthermore, the UFL and the team will become part of the city’s most important event, the historic Kentucky Derby. However, the league stumbled in choosing to televise the game only on FS1.
This would have been a perfect opportunity to introduce UFL teams to a nationwide TV audience with increased TV ratings. Instead, the league opted to show this game on a network that historically draws the lowest ratings. Perhaps this is because of previous Thursday night scheduling commitments on the other networks. However, if this game is to become a high-profile annual event for the UFL, this needs to change.
1 Comment
by Frank Dux
Any team going into a season with a Head Coach who was only hired due to his ties with the market should be concerned.