UFL RULES 2026

-- Kelvin Kately, Senior Editor

Since its inception in 2023, The United Football League (UFL) has carried a standard of advancing the sport of football. With the league set to kick off next month, today they dropped some updated rules to further cement the fact that they are a league of innovation. The following rules have been announced for the 2026 season:

Four Point Field Goal

Any successful kick from 60 yards or further will be worth four points.

One Foot In Bounds

The UFL will require only one foot in bounds for a legal catch, adopting NCAA rules to increase passing and scoring. The rule is also aimed at enhancing player safety.

Red Zone Penalties

The UFL will reinstitute the rule to half the distance to the goal for penalties committed in the red zone, reverting back to the current NFL rules.

Elimination of Tush Push

The league has eliminated the Tush Push, a play in which the QB takes the snap and drives forward, assisted by players behind him who physically push him forward to the surging offensive line.

No Punting Inside the 50-Yard Line

No punts will be allowed from anywhere inside the opponents 50-yard line (+49 Yard and In) unless there are less than two minutes left in the half or the end of the game. Once the ball is made ready for play inside the 50-yard line, a team cannot pun even if a subsequent penalty or loss of yardage moves the ball behind the 50. If the ball is on the 50-yard line, a team may punt the ball.

Overtime: Three Attempts Per Team

Teams will alternate attempts from the five-yard line. If, after three attempts per team, the tie remains, the teams will alternate attempts until a winner is determined. The home team will have first choice to go on offense or defense first. A coin toss will be implemented in place of the home team’s choice.

Points After Touchdown (PAT)

1 Point Conversion- Kick from the 33-yard line

2 Point Conversion- Ball placed at the 2-yard line

3 Point Conversion- Ball placed at the 8-yard line

Kickoff Rules

Kickoff Line- Ball will be kicked from the 30-yard line

Kickoff Team- The ten remaining players on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team’s 45-yard line

Receiving Team Zone- The receiving team’s set up zone will stretch from its 40-yard line to the 35-yard line and must have at least nine players in that zone.

Landing Zone- The landing zone will be from the receiving team’s 20-yard line to the goal line. The ball must reach the landing zone, or it will be spotted at the 40-yard line.

Out of Bounds- If the ball travels out of bounds, it will be spotted at the 40-yard line.

Touchback Spots- There will be two touchback spots. The 40-yard line for balls kicked into the end zone, and the 20-yard line for balls that hit in the landing zone and then enter the ends zone.

The 2026 season is set to kick off on Friday, March 27. With brand new teams and brand-new rules, this could be the most interesting season of spring football that we have ever seen. What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?