Tuesday, June 30, 2026

UFL Year 2 Plan Includes Friday Night Football, Sustaining Fox Experiment

 Between ESPN and Fox networks, the retooled spring football league will have nearly three-quarters of its games shown on broadcast television this season.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“Friday Night Lights” isn’t just for Texas high school football, or even some college football, as the United Football League is the latest in the sport to jump on the bandwagon. 

The spring football league released its 2025 schedule, and, as expected since the end of last season, the slate is led in part by the establishment of a dedicated Friday primetime slot on Fox throughout the 10-week regular season. The new Fox UFL Friday is aimed at giving the league a heightened focus, but it also helps the network as it begins IndyCar Series race coverage this year. 

The network’s strategy for the UFL is not unlike what it started in 2024 for college football, drawing solid early results

More broadly, Fox and ESPN will again share UFL coverage across their various platforms including linear and cable networks, streaming, and Spanish-language networks—combining to air all 43 of the league’s games. Between the two, 74% of those UFL games will be on broadcast TV, up slightly from a year ago. The season begins March 28 and will conclude June 14 with the championship game, airing on ABC—also in prime time. 

The eight-team UFL is also looking at expansion, though without a defined timetable or a set number of expected new teams.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rob Stone speaks during the Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff NCAA football pregame show, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa.

A Bandwagoner’s Guide to the USMNT World Cup Run

Rob Stone breaks down the Americans’ outlook ahead of Wednesday.

Comcast’s NBCUniversal Split Could Give the NFL More Leverage

The forthcoming split will reverberate throughout the entire media business.

After NFL and CFL Say No, UFL May Be Sorsby’s Best Option

The UFL appeared to confirm Sorsby would be eligible.
Jun 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie (8) in the first half against Turkey during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fox Predicts a USMNT World Cup Final Would Rival NFL Ratings

Fox’s Mike Mulvihill predicted a potential audience of 50 million.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Mia Hamm on the World Cup, NWSL Growth, Angel City Ownership, and Women’s Sports Narratives

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Clippers Set to Trade Kawhi to Raptors as Aspiration Ruling Looms

Adam Silver has indicated that a ruling is coming soon.
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner in action during his first round match against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic
June 30, 2026

Slippery Grass Surface Once Again Takes Spotlight at Wimbledon

Maja Chwalińska was injured after slipping on the grass.
Apr 2, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) acknowledges the fans after the game against the Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena.
June 30, 2026

Free Agents Set to Reap Rewards of NHL Record Salary Cap

Attention will be focused on Sergei Bobrovsky and John Carlson, among others.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
June 30, 2026

Josh Childress: Women’s Sports Attracting ‘New Pool of Capital’

The former NBA player also weighed in on expansion and Stanford athletics.
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
June 29, 2026

Dusty May Believes NIL Era Experience Will Aid NBA Transition

May is the first college coach to make the jump since 2019.
Jun 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (17) congratulates infielder Jackson Holliday (7) at home plate after Holliday hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
June 29, 2026

Underperforming Teams Make for Uncertain MLB Trade Market

Many clubs don’t yet know whether they will be buyers or sellers.
June 29, 2026

NBA Set for Summer of Chaos: LeBron, Kawhi, Gambling

Kawhi Leonard is the latest star on the trade block.