The decision to merge the XFL with the USFL seems to have started off strong.
The United Football League’s first regular season drew a ratings average of 816,000 for its 40 regular-season games on ABC, Fox, ESPN, and ESPN2, according to Sports Business Journal. In 2023, the USFL averaged just over 600,000 viewers, while the XFL had a slightly stronger showing with an average of 622,000, showing promise that there’s a healthy appetite for a spring football league during the NFL offseason.
With their forces combined, the newest iteration of the spring football league has been able to have a stronger presence on broadcast television with six games generating over 1 million viewers.
The eight-team league has found success in non-NFL markets based in the Midwest and South such as St. Louis, the former home of the Los Angeles Rams; Birmingham; and San Antonio; all of which made the playoffs, which start this weekend. The Michigan Panthers are the other playoff team and have developed a strong following despite playing in Detroit, where the Lions have a ravenous fan base.
The UFL championship game will be June 16 in St. Louis.
