The UFL returned for its second season this weekend. The league aimed to draw more fans out the gate in 2025. However, they encountered not only hurdles in competing against NCAA’s March Madness and Major League Baseball in specific markets but also uncertainty due to a highly publicized negotiation standstill between the UFL and its players, which cast doubt on not only games commencing but also the league’s long-term viability.
Therefore, all these challenges, coupled with the UFL’s opening weekend games occurring at three of the league’s lowest drawing venues last season, made the goal of coming out stronger at the box office even more daunting.
In 2024, the UFL saw growth in almost every metric from its predecessors, the USFL and XFL. However, the one area that hasn’t seen progression is the league’s attendance. This ongoing dilemma has carried over into this season.
UFL 2025 Week 1 Attendance Figures
The UFL’s opener this past Friday night, in its return to TDECU Stadium, saw the St. Louis Battlehawks soaring past the Houston Roughnecks 31-9. The attendance figure for the game was 7,321. In 2024, a 1-9 Houston Rougnnecks attendance average was 7,056 at Rice Stadium.
Saturday afternoon’s Arlington Renegades 33-9 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas at Choctaw Stadium had an attendance figure of 10,117. A year ago, the Renegades averaged 9,887 fans at home.
Sunday’s week one game between the Michigan Panthers and Memphis Showboats at Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium averaged 4,373. In 2024, the Showboats had the UFL’s lowest attendance average of 6,893.
The Week 1 finale, featuring the defending spring league champion Birmingham Stallions versus the D.C. Defenders at Audi Field, had an attendance figure of 12,254. In 2024, the Defenders were second in the UFL in average attendance at 14,143.
Last season, the UFL’s 43 games, which occurred from late March through mid-June, averaged 13,512 fans. Surpassing those numbers are the desired result of league owners, FOX, RedBird Capital, Disney, Dwayne Johnson, and Dany Garcia. Still, as evidenced by week one’s 2025 figures, the struggle is far from over.
The UFL’s leaders are negotiating with cities for potential team expansion in 2026. Still, the tepid results of returning markets may have them rethinking strategies, not only in where the league expands to but in what existing cities they move forward with. As a result, there could be more than two new cities in next year’s UFL.
Week 2 UFL 2025 Regular Season Schedule
Friday, April 4th, 8 pm ET, Birmingham Stallions @ Michigan Panthers, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Saturday, April 5th, 8 pm ET, Memphis Showboats @ D.C. Defenders, Audi Field, Washington, DC
Sunday, April 6, Houston Roughnecks @ Arlington Renegades, noon ET, Chocataw Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Sunday, April 6, 6:30 pm ET, San Antonio Brahmas @ St. Louis Battlehawks, The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Missouri
4 Comments
by Court
There’s no possible way there was 12,000 at Audi today. That. Inner is wrong. The stands were empty.
by 4th&long
Certainly the threat of a strike has impacted interest in attending games. And I still don’t have a clear understanding of what they want. Year Round Hcare? Really? But whatever it is at best it is a distraction, at worst its hurting interest in the league.
But that may not be the biggest issue. Despite talk of family value, the ticket costs in many markets are simply ridiculous for minor spring FB league. Houston has mid field tix at $100 & $75, and beyond midfield $60. That’s not priced to sell. Its similar or worse in many markets.
Either the goal is high attendance or high prices. And at some point Russ B needs to take responsibility.
Memphis has its own issues. A small market with low income. I never liked the move away from TB. But give them a pass with Whisenhunt debacle in week one.
by Dano
Why not just play all games in St. Louis? KawKaw!!!
by Timbe
The stats are a little deceiving as the St. Louis team dwarfed all other teams and some weeks drew as many fans as the other 3 games combined. In week 1, St. Louis was on the road.