The Louisville Kings are the reigning UFL champions after beating the DC Defenders 27-20 in the United Bowl at Audi Field in Washington on June 13, 2026. The league has not published its 2027 schedule, and this page names no price on the 2027 title.
Louisville closed as a 1.5-point favorite at DraftKings with the total at 49.5, so the Kings covered and the game went under by 2.5 points. The next season will look different: the league is replacing its Birmingham and Houston teams with new ones in Rhode Island and Colorado.
Check Out The Best
Handicapping Membership
For More UFL Picks!
How the 2026 United Bowl went
DC led 16-7 at halftime. Louisville scored 20 points in the second half (6 in the third quarter, 14 in the fourth) and held the Defenders to 4 after the break.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Defenders | 3 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 20 |
| Louisville Kings | 0 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 27 |
The game was played in DC’s stadium with Louisville listed as the home team. Louisville went into it 6-4 in the regular season and DC 5-5. On the way there, Louisville won 29-20 at the St. Louis Battlehawks in the semifinals and DC won 28-22 against the Orlando Storm at Daytona Stadium.
The United Bowl odds and how they settled
| Market | Closing price (DraftKings) | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Louisville -1.5 (-110), DC +1.5 (-110) | Louisville covered by 5.5 |
| Moneyline | Louisville -125, DC +105 | Louisville won |
| Total | 49.5 (over -115, under -105) | 47 points, under |
DC was the favorite when the market opened and Louisville was the favorite at the close. A -125 moneyline implies 55.6%, and +105 implies 48.8%. The 4.4 points over 100% is the book’s margin.
UFL champions
| Season | Champion | Title game |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Louisville Kings | Beat DC Defenders 27-20 (United Bowl) |
| 2025 | DC Defenders | Beat Michigan Panthers 58-34 |
| 2024 | Birmingham Stallions | Beat San Antonio Brahmas 25-0 |
Three seasons have produced three different champions. Louisville won it in its first season in the league, one of three new markets (with Orlando and Columbus) the UFL added for 2026, according to ESPN.
What changes for the 2027 UFL season
ESPN reported on September 23, 2026, that the UFL is moving two of its eight teams for 2027. The Birmingham and Houston markets are replaced by Rhode Island, playing at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket (10,500 seats), and Colorado, at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs (8,000 seats).
Expansion comes a year later. Oklahoma City and Utah join for 2028, which takes the league to 10 teams, with Utah at America First Stadium in Salt Lake City. The official UFL site lists Colorado and Rhode Island under 2027 and the two expansion teams under 2028.
How to bet the UFL championship
A title price is a chance. When the 2027 board is posted, +400 implies 20.0% and +800 implies 11.1%, and with eight teams those chances add up to well over 100% because of the book’s margin. A futures bet is worth making only when you rate the team’s chance higher than the price does.
Our betting guides cover spreads, totals and futures. To compare the books that price the UFL, see our sportsbook reviews.