The XFL brand continues to thrive within the United Football League structure, with four former XFL teams maintaining their identities and fan bases two years after the merger. The St. Louis Battlehawks lead the XFL Conference with a 7-2 record, while fan loyalty remains strong despite attendance challenges across the league.
XFL Conference Performance Shows Mixed Results
The St. Louis Battlehawks and DC Defenders are set to compete in the XFL Championship Game, demonstrating the competitive strength of former XFL franchises. These two powerhouses will clash in Washington, D.C., to determine who finishes atop the conference standings. The sustained competitiveness of these franchises has maintained fan interest and created compelling storylines for sports enthusiasts, with platforms like nyttcasino.com offering comprehensive entertainment options for fans following the exciting playoff races.
The Arlington Renegades, led by former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, feature quarterback Luis Perez, who finished the 2024 UFL campaign leading the league in passing, averaging 230 yards per game, with a total of 2309 yards for the season, surpassing all UFL quarterbacks by over 400 yards. The San Antonio Brahmas, coached by Wade Phillips, reached the UFL title game in 2024 but face rebuilding challenges this season.
Attendance Figures Paint Complex Picture
The St. Louis Battlehawks, playing in a city that unexpectedly saw NFL football taken from them in 2015, comfortably lead the pack with 29,867 fans per game. This figure demonstrates the sustained loyalty of XFL fans who embraced the team during its original 2020 season.
The DC Defenders, one of the UFL’s strongest teams, rank second with just over 13,000 in attendance. However, other XFL markets face significant challenges. The season average in attendance is 12,827. The UFL’s progress is incremental, at 0.6% ahead of last season’s midway point.
Arlington’s attendance has remained steady at approximately 10,000 per game, while San Antonio’s numbers dropped significantly after early-season struggles. San Antonio had a solid debut in week five, with over 14,000 tickets sold – but after a brutal 27-3 loss, it’s tough to say how that market will react as their Brahmas stare down the barrel of another 3-7 season.
Financial Pressures Mount for UFL
Later reports suggested that the 2025 season would be the league’s last one if it did not achieve tremendous commercial success. This pressure affects all teams, including the former XFL franchises that built strong local followings.
As it stands right now, the UFL is averaging 612,000 viewers per broadcast, which is a 25% decrease from the 2024 regular season average. Despite television struggles, XFL teams maintain competitive rosters and coaching staffs.
Player Development Success Stories
The XFL Conference continues producing NFL-caliber talent. More than 250 of last season’s 400 UFL players (60%) were called to the NFL for workouts after Year 1, with 78 individuals signing contracts to attend 30 NFL team training camps and 21 stars landing on NFL rosters.
Most of the starting quarterbacks are believed to be making between $100,000 and $250,000 per year, with minimum pay raised to $6,200 per game (up from the $5,500 per game under the previous agreement) under the new collective bargaining agreement.
Looking Ahead: Expansion vs. Survival
The league’s continued attendance woes have cast doubt on potential expansion for 2026, with relocation of its current eight teams a seemingly more realistic and sensible option. The XFL markets face different challenges – St. Louis thrives while others struggle to maintain momentum.
In Week 7, the UFL had its lowest weekend attendance totals in the last two years, averaging 7,201 per game. These numbers force difficult decisions about market viability.
The former XFL teams entered the UFL with established fan bases and recognizable brands. St. Louis proves that XFL loyalty translates effectively within the merged structure, while other markets face ongoing challenges that could reshape the league’s geography.
The XFL legacy remains alive through competitive teams, dedicated coaching staffs, and passionate fan bases in select markets. Whether that legacy survives potential league restructuring depends largely on 2025 performance both on the field and in attendance figures.
