UFL TAKES TALENT SEARCH TO TEN CITIES

The United Football League will take its search for overlooked talent to ten cities during the second half of 2026, beginning with a pair of showcases in Washington, D.C. and St. Louis next week.

The nationwide programme, announced by the league on Tuesday, will run from August until December and give prospective players an opportunity to work out in front of UFL coaches and scouts. Further events will be staged in Houston, Columbus, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Louisville, Los Angeles and Arlington.

Although the combine-style sessions represent only the first step towards earning a UFL contract, the numbers from last season suggest they offer more than a speculative tryout. According to the league’s announcement, 48 previous showcase participants were invited to training camp in 2026 and 39 subsequently appeared on active rosters. Every UFL team carried at least two players who had entered the league through the process.

Among them was Louisville Kings Chandler Rogers, whose route from a Dallas showcase culminated in victory over the D.C. Defenders in the inaugural United Bowl, the quarterback playing his part in a 27-20 win that completed Louisville’s remarkable recovery from an 0-3 start.

St. Louis Battlehawks receiver Steven McBride was discovered at the same showcase before emerging as one of the UFL’s most productive offensive players. Columbus Aviators quarterback Jalen Morton and Louisville defensive lineman Travis Bell also progressed from open evaluations to important roles during the 2026 season.

“The UFL Showcase reflects one of the strengths of the UFL — our ability to identify talent, develop players and give them an opportunity to compete,” league president and CEO Russ Brandon said. “Every year, we see players with something to prove, earn their opportunity, develop into key contributors, and ultimately help elevate the level of competition across the league. It’s rewarding to watch that journey unfold, and we’re excited to see who emerges from the next group of athletes.”

The tour reinforces the UFL’s position between the fringes of the NFL and the wider pool of players seeking another way into professional football. Twenty-six members of the 2026 UFL class signed NFL contracts during the opening week of the league’s offseason — more than double the corresponding total from 2025 — while 57 former UFL players entered NFL training camps this summer.

The new search begins at George Mason University on Friday, August 7th, followed by a St. Louis event at Lindbergh High School two days later. Houston hosts the next showcase on September 27th, with Columbus and Atlanta following on October 4th and 11th respectively. Phoenix completes the October schedule before visits to Orlando, Louisville and Los Angeles during November. The final evaluation will be held at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington on December 5th.

Registration and eligibility details are available through the UFL showcase website.