The new co-owner of the UFL, Mike Repole, has already confirmed that the United Football League (UFL) will undergo significant restructuring for its 2026 UFL season. It will kick off on Friday, March 27, 2026, with Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers, Houston Roughnecks, and Memphis Showboats likely to relocate to new markets. Some punters believe the relocation could somewhat affect the specific team’s performances and betting lines.
And just like in the previous seasons, some games carry more intrigue for many reasons. This includes clashes of top teams, playoff positioning tension, and upset potential, which usually make some games have better wagering value than others. Below, we have outlined and discussed the top four matches punters can watch for betting action next season.
Memphis Showboats vs Houston Gamblers
The Houston Roughnecks narrowly defeated the Memphis Showboats 21-20 in the recently concluded 2025 season. The Houston Roughnecks have rebranded to Houston Gamblers for the 2026 season and are among the teams that will be playing in a new stadium.
In their Week 6 matchup of the 2025 UFL season, the Houston Roughnecks defeated the Memphis Showboats by a final score of 21-20. The Roughnecks secured the win by capitalising on a key defensive play, a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and then running out the clock. That was the second one-point victory for Houston over Memphis during the season.
No team has been as bad as the Showboats in the two years of the league. In two seasons of the UFL, the Memphis Showboats have gone a dismal 4-16.
But as things stand, both teams are evenly matched, making upsets possible. As such, punters and fans can expect a potentially low-scoring and tightly contested matchup between the two teams next season. For fans, such a game is very attractive for over/under bets, which makes it a suitable opportunity for predicting tight point spreads.
Birmingham Stallions vs Columbus Aviators
The Michigan Panthers upset the Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium in the USFL Conference Championship Game on Sunday afternoon, 44-29, ending the Stallions’ bid for a fourth consecutive title. Odds across leading betting sites such as Roletto heavily leaned toward the Birmingham Stallions, but the Michigan Panthers shocked people with an unexpected upset, ending Birmingham’s 4-peat bid.
Going into 2026, several new teams will be joining the Birmingham Stallions, including the Columbus Aviators, who are part of the new expansion team set to debut. Fans expect the Stallions, who have been the dominant force in the league, to return in 2026, determined to redeem themselves following an end to their 4-peat bid.
Birmingham will likely enter as clear favourites, with the Aviators as underdogs. Many believe that the Aviators will experience “growing pains” as the team gels. For punters, a simple money line bet on the Stallions will likely offer very low returns. In that case, they can wager on the combined score of both teams, placing an Over or an Under based on their analysis that season.
DC Defenders vs St Louis Battlehawks
The DC Defenders torched the Battlehawks on their home turf, as poor quarterback play held them back from reaching the Championship. DC won 36-18, holding the St Louis Battlehawks back from reaching the Championship for a second straight season.
In 2026, this will be a highly anticipated matchup for its recently refuelled rivalry. The 2026 season will feature a single eight-team league format, which means Battlehawks and Defenders will compete directly for top playoff spots rather than a specific conference title.
So far, the DC Defenders have been holding a slight edge in recent seasons, but the Battlehawks will be very motivated to finally reach the UFL Championship game. Since the Defenders are recent champions and the Battlehawks are seemingly the most aggressive contenders against them, punters and fans can expect a high-intensity game, particularly due to the matchup’s playoff implications. Such games are great for live betting or prop bets on player performance, and that’s because odds change frequently, sometimes even quickly, before the game starts.
San Antonio Brahmas vs Arlington Renegades
Against the San Antonio Brahmas in week one, the Arlington Renegades won in dominant fashion, 33-9 at home. The recent game between the two teams was on June 1, 2025, where the Renegades beat the Brahmas 23-6.
Both teams have had streaky seasons, which means anyone could win on a given week. And that’s the kind of unpredictability that can create intrigue. Still, punters will need to be careful when wagering on such a game by monitoring offseason news, including roster signings. Such matchups are particularly ideal for value bets where careful analysis of team form has a better chance of paying off.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 UFL season will kick off on Friday, March 27, 2026, with a 10-week regular season schedule expected. And given that the 2026 UFL season will not feature separate conference championships, next season promises a slate of matchups that could offer tremendous value for wagering. Every team competes against every other team for the same top four playoff spots.
But as discussed above, punters should know that certain types of bets are more suitable when applied to specific matchups – whether it’s spread betting, totals, props, or live wagering.