Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 29, 2022. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Over 40 former members of the Pittsburgh Steelers will take part in the United Football League for the 2026 season, which begins next week. The UFL, founded in 2024 as a merger of the USFL and XFL is entering its third season, and the first under new owner Mike Repole.
This season, three teams moved to new cities, with the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers and San Antonio Brahmas all folding and becoming the Louisville Kings, Columbus Aviators, and Orlando Storm, respectively.
All three new teams will play in current or former soccer Venus, with the Aviators playing at Historic Crew Field, the former home of the Columbus Crew, the Kings sharing Lynn Family Stadium with Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville FC and the Storm sharing Inter&Co Stadium with Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride.
The moves to smaller venues hopes to create better atmospheres at home games and increase ticket sales, instead of focus on a television audience. The league will have new experimental rules in 2026, including a ban on punts from across midfield, four-point field goals of 60 yards or longer and 50-yard extra points.
The 2026 UFL season will start on Friday, March 27, when the Kings host the Birmingham Stallions. That game will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX. Every game of the season will be broadcast on either FOX/FS1, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 or NFL Network.
The eight-team league will feature one division, with the top four teams making the playoffs, and the championship game will be held on June 13.
The DC Defenders are the reigning champions after defeating the Panthers in the 2025 UFL championship.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2026 UFL PLAYERS & COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Birmingham Stallions
RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
WR Deon Cain
DT T.J. Carter
LB Tae Crowder
LB Kyahva Tezino
S Tre Norwood
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roc Taylor in a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Columbus Aviators
RB John Lovett
WR Roc Taylor
TE Alize Mack
DE Kenny Willekes
S Henry Black
~ Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Tyler Vaughns in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 13, 2022. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Dallas Renegades
WR Denzel Mims
WR Tyler Vaughns
DT Domenique Davis
DE Taco Charlton
CB Chris Steele
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cornell Powell at practice on Nov. 26, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
DC Defenders
RB Xazavian Valladay
WR Cornell Powell
G Tykeem Doss
K Matthew McCrane
Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Kellen Diesch at practice on Jan. 3, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Houston Gamblers
OT Kellen Diesch
G Gareth Warren (IR)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kenny Robinson during Friday Night Lights practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 4, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Louisville Kings
RB Benny Snell
WR Tarik Black
G Nate Gilliam
SS Kenny Robinson
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Joey Fisher during a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Orlando Storm
WR Aron Cruickshank
T Joey Fisher
DT Isaiah Buggs
DE Isaiah Mack
CB Mark Gilbert
S Nate Meadors
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hakeem Butler at training camp on July 27, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
St. Louis Battlehawks
WR Hakeem Butler
DT Carlos Davis
DE Travis Feeney
LB Tariq Carpenter
CB Luq Barcoo
CB Nevelle Clarke
S Kam Kelly
~ DL Coach Jeff Zgonina
Mentioned In This Article: Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers UFL