The DC Defenders host the Louisville Kings in the 2026 United Bowl with a chance to win back-to-back titles on their home field.
Game Details
Matchup: Louisville Kings at DC Defenders
When: Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET
Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN App (also Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV — services that carry ABC)
Odds
Spread: DC Defenders -1.5
Moneyline: DC Defenders -115, Louisville Kings -105
Over/Under: 49.5
The line sits near a field goal's margin in either direction. DC is the slight home favorite. Louisville swept the regular-season series, so the market prices this close to a coin flip. Odds from DraftKings; lines move before kickoff.
Overview
DC reached the title game by beating the top-seeded Orlando Storm 28-22 in the semifinals. The win snapped a four-game losing streak and avenged two regular-season losses to Orlando. The Defenders ran for 172 yards and converted 10 of 16 third downs. The defense held Orlando to 273 total yards and contained MVP finalist Jack Plummer.
Jason Bean starts at quarterback for DC. Bean passed for 233 yards and ran for 40 in the semifinal. He played through a shoulder injury in the second half. Bean started the season with Louisville, then DC acquired him in a Week 4 trade for backup Mike DiLiello. He gets the start because Jordan Ta'amu suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.
Louisville comes in on a run. The Kings started 0-3, then won seven of their final eight games, including the playoffs. They beat St. Louis 29-20 on the road in the semifinal. Kicker Tanner Brown made field goals of 60 and 63 yards in that game. Louisville beat DC twice in the regular season, 30-13 on May 9 and 33-30 on May 16.
The quarterback matchup carries a storyline. Bean and Kings starter Chandler Rogers both attended Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas. Louisville chose Rogers as its starter, then traded Bean to DC. The two now meet for a championship.
Both teams run the ball well and force turnovers. DC running backs Deon Jackson and Abram Smith power the ground game. Louisville counters with James Robinson and Ian Wheeler, who both scored on long runs in the semifinal. Check the current UFL standings and league leaders for the full picture.
Key Players
Jason Bean (DC Defenders, QB) — Passed for 233 yards and ran for 40 in the semifinal win over Orlando. Faces the team that traded him in Week 4.
Deon Jackson (DC Defenders, RB) — Led the UFL in rushing touchdowns (7) and finished the regular season with 449 rushing yards on 91 carries. Scored in the semifinal.
Cornell Powell (DC Defenders, WR) — DC's leading receiver with 34 catches for 491 yards in the regular season.
Derick Roberson (DC Defenders, DE) — Recorded 7 sacks during the regular season and a fourth-down sack in the semifinal against Orlando.
Chandler Rogers (Louisville Kings, QB) — Took over Louisville's offense and sparked the turnaround. Threw for 1,119 yards with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in the regular season.
Cam Gill (Louisville Kings, OLB) — 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year. Led the league with 11 sacks.
Tanner Brown (Louisville Kings, PK) — Led the UFL with 25 field goals and 7 makes from 50-plus yards. Hit from 60 and 63 yards in the semifinal.
Corey Mayfield Jr. (Louisville Kings, CB) — Tied for the league lead with 4 interceptions.
Keys to the Game
DC must protect Jason Bean against Cam Gill and a Louisville pass rush that led the league in sacks. If Gill gets home, the Defenders offense stalls.
DC needs to run the ball the way it did against Orlando. The 172-yard ground game controlled that semifinal and kept the Kings offense off the field.
DC has to clean up turnovers. The defense gave up pick-sixes in each of the last two games before the semifinal. Louisville's secondary leads the league in interceptions.
Injury Report (DC Defenders Inactives)
Player | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
Deontay Anderson (S) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
Brian Abraham (LB) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
Macklin Ayers (LB) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
Ferrod Gardner (ILB) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
Ben Bresnahan (TE) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
Mason Fairchild (TE) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
Isaiah Johnson (CB) | DC Defenders | Inactive |
DC's inactive list runs heavy at linebacker, with Abraham, Ayers, and Gardner all down. That puts more on Brandon Smith and Curtis Jacobs in the front seven. The Defenders are also without two tight ends in Bresnahan and Fairchild, leaving Briley Moore as the top option at the position. Jason Bean is active and starts despite the shoulder injury he played through in the semifinal.
Depth Chart
DC Defenders projected starters by position for the United Bowl, with Louisville Kings projected starters:
Position | DC Defenders | Louisville Kings |
|---|---|---|
QB | Jason Bean (12) | Chandler Rogers (4) |
RB | Deon Jackson (25) | James Robinson (30) |
WR | Ty Scott (19), Braylon Sanders (3), Cornell Powell (14) | Lucky Jackson (0), Isaiah Winstead (11), Tarik Black (17) |
TE | Briley Moore (88) | Tre' McKitty (87) |
LT | Trey Wedig (75) | John Campbell Jr. (68) |
LG | Tykeem Doss (79) | James Tunstall (71) |
C | Michael Maietti (51) | Dohnovan West (63) |
RG | Steven Losoya III (68) | Jaylon Thomas (75) |
RT | Jaelyn Duncan (71) | Juwann Bushell-Beatty (72) |
DE | Derick Roberson (50), Boogie Basham (90) | Cam Gill (46), Jaylon Allen (22) |
DT | Joe Wallace (7), Devonnsha Maxwell (95) | Josiah Bronson (91), Travis Bell (98) |
LB | Brandon Smith (40), Curtis Jacobs (23) | Nick Kubitz (36), Jaheim Thomas (18) |
CB | Gareon Conley (0), Bryce Thompson (1), Deandre Baker (2) | Corey Mayfield Jr. (12), Eric Garror (7), Cameron Dantzler (3) |
S | Sam Kidd (26), Kai Gray (17) | Keaton Ellis (2), Mekhi Garner (8) |
K/P | Matt McCrane (16) / Paxton Brooks (47) | Tanner Brown (49) / Mac Brown (19) |
Score Prediction
DC Defenders 27 – Louisville Kings 24. The number sits near a one-point game, and home field plus the run-game edge tilts it slightly to DC. Bean and the ground attack control the clock the way they did against Orlando, and the Defenders defense forces one more stop late. Louisville keeps it close behind Rogers and a long-range kicking game, but DC defends its title at Audi Field.
UFL Standings | Full Schedule | League Leaders
Who takes the United Bowl? Drop your prediction in the comments.