Week 1 of the 2026 UFL season has arrived and one of the top matchups of the weekend is an in-state rivalry between the Houston Gamblers and the Dallas Renegades.
The Gamblers' brand is back for the first time since 2023 when they were in the USFL as they have spent the last two years as the Houston Roughnecks. They are led by head coach Kevin Sumlin, who is also back in spring football after leading the Gamblers in the 2022 season. Last season, the Roughnecks started 1-3 before going 4-2 to end the season at 5-5.
Dallas is in a similar boat that they are coming off a 5-5 season as they started 3-1, but a four-game losing streak after that knocked them out of playoff contention. The Renegades, after being led by Bob Stoops since he was hired in 2019, is now led by Rick Neuheisel as head coach.
Houston Gamblers vs. Dallas Renegades Week 1 Game Preview
Gameday Info
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Kickoff Time: 4:00 pm EST
Location: Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
Network: FOX
Game Betting Odds (via DraftKings)
Spread: Renegades -5.5
O/U Total: 39.5
Moneyline: Gamblers +210, Renegades -258
Gamblers-Renegades Depth Chart
What to Watch for: Houston Gamblers
Nolan Henderson gets the nod as the starting quarterback after having a nice short stretch as the starter last season with the Roughnecks. Henderson's ability to run and pass makes him a threat on offense, forcing the Renegades' defense to spy on him the whole game.
The wide receiver room has two key weapons to watch out for with Justin Hall and Jontre Kirklin. Hall has been established as one of the top five pass catchers in the UFL over the years and as long as Kirklin can fix his drops issue, he should be in line to be one of the best as well.
Defensively, Malik Fisher is a nightmare for Dallas' offense after having six sacks just two seasons ago. Anthony Hines III is one of the best tackling linebackers in the UFL and should pick up from where he left off with the DC Defenders last season. Markel Roby is a turnover machine and will be able to make some plays.
What to Watch for: Dallas Renegades
Neuheisel caused quite a stir this week when he named Austin Reed as the starting quarterback over Luis Perez, but both are expected to play in the game. Reed has all the tools to be a starting quarterback in this league, but it's his first career start, so the question is how long is he in the game before Perez comes into the contest.
Reed will have plenty of weapons to throw it to as the wide receiver room is deep with Deontay Burnett, Tyler Vaughns, Drake Stoops, Greg Ward, Denzel Mims, and Emmanuel Butler. There are no excuses for this passing game to not be one of the best in the league.
This edge rusher group for the Renegades is scary with Willie Taylor III and Taco Charlton back for another season of rushing the passer. Ajene Harris was one of the top shutdown corners in the league last season and should be back shadowing Hall. Watch for the linebacker position as Donald Payne is not starting with Andrew Dowell starting in his place.
Gamblers-Renegades Prediction
With Reed starting, it certainly throws a wrench in what people think is going to happen in this game, but despite the Renegades being the favorites, this is about as evenly of a match as it could be. It will come down to who has more playmakers who can step up in the big moments. Dallas seems to have a slight advantage with that.
Dallas Renegades 27, Houston Gamblers 22