The 2026 UFL season kicks off later this month, and odds are available for the 2026 UFL Championship. There have been a lot of changes, including new teams and new coaches, as well as new rules. The UFL enters its third season under the UFL name after the XFL and USFL joined together. Let’s take a look at some of the odds for the 2026 UFL Championship Futures and some of my favorite picks and best bets.
2026 UFL Futures: UFL Championship Picks And Best Bets
The Teams I’m Avoiding
The favorite to win the UFL Championship when looking at the futures market right now is the Birmingham Stallions. This feels like a lot of recency bias to me. Sure, they have Matt Corrall, who looked like one of the better quarterbacks in the league last year when he wasn’t injured. They also have one of the better running backs in Anthony McFarland.
However, they’ll be under the tutelage of first-time head coach AJ McCarron (Yes, that AJ McCarron from the Battlehawks). They’ll also have first-time offensive coordinator Tyler Siskey and first-time defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer. That’s too many first times for me to buy into them. At +340, this is one of the UFL Futures I’m avoiding.
I’m also not buying into the Gamblers as the longshot +1400. They’re priced the lowest for a reason. Kevin Sumlin will likely roll out Donovan Smith as his quarterback, though no decisions have been finalized. The other quarterbacks on the roster are Nolan Henderson and Hunter Dekkers. As much as Colby Dant may not want to admit it, the quarterback position is extremely important, especially in a league like this. Now, let’s look at a couple of other teams I am buying into.
DC Defenders (+375)
It’s hard not to automatically place one of your UFL Futures picks for the Championship on the DC Defenders. They return the same coaching staff that is coming off winning the UFL Championship last year. They are also returning quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and running backs Deon Jackson and Abram Smith.
Ta’amu won’t have all of his normal receiving targets this year. However, he does have former NFL wide receiver, Keke Coutee. He also has Ty Scott and Cornell Powell, both of whom he already has chemistry with. The Defenders are currently loaded up with five tight ends, which tells me they’re ready for their smash-mouth brand of football that will open up the passing game.
Last year, the Defenders lost their head coach and defensive coordinator during the season. They still managed to win it all. Could they become the next dynasty in the UFL, taking the Stallions’ spot? Everything looks promising on paper. As long as they can put that on the field as well, they should be in for another run.
Orlando Storm (+550)
Head coach Anthony Becht continued to make the playoffs while coaching the St. Louis Battlehawks, but couldn’t bring home the championship. Perhaps a move outside the Battle Dome, and down to Florida, is just what he needs. He brings in the help of defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham and offensive coordinator Marc Colombo. Colombo, a former NFL lineman, will have that offensive line playing top-notch. Given that I feel football is won in the trenches, the Storm are among my UFL Futures picks for the Championship.
Becht and the Storm will likely rely on former NFL quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead their team. He has a similar skillset to Manny Wilkins, who was performing very well for the Battlehawks under Becht last year, prior to his season-ending injury. DTR will have plenty of help in receivers Chris Rowland, Marquez Stevenson, KJ Hamler, and Dee Anderson. All four of these guys have shown they can provide big plays at the professional level.
Their running back room is a little puzzling, only containing two running backs. However, Anthony Becht did the smart thing and got himself a tight end from The Tight End U, Iowa, in Steven Stilianos. He’ll help block for whichever running back, Elijah Dotson or Tre Stewart, grabs the lead job.
The defense also has some playmakers, including cornerback Lamar Jackson, defensive tackle Jacob Sykes, defensive tackle Willie Yarbury, and outside linebacker Delontae Scott. I’m not sure if Coach Becht decided to take the Florida job or was voluntold. However, you have to think he’s coaching with a chip on his shoulder. St. Louis players seemed to love playing for him, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has this team fired up and in the mix for the playoffs at the end of the season.
Louisville Kings (+1200)
I can’t give out my UFL Futures without at least taking a stab at a long-shot for the Championship. The Kings seem to fit the best, despite an unproven coaching staff. Jason Bean will lead them at quarterback and is a dual-threat guy who can make a lot of really good throws. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him play at a competitive level, and that is likely one of the reasons their price is so low.
The Kings are loaded at running back, especially after adding former NFL running back James Robinson. They already had a former NFL guy in Ian Wheeler, who can run hard. Robinson will provide excellent lightning to his thunder. The Kings also have some proven receivers in Jonathan Adams, Lucky Jackson, and Javonta Payton. All three of these guys have succeeded in spring football and should be able to help Bean out.
Look, I think Bean is a bit of a bust coming out of Kansas with 2,130 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 280 yards on the ground that year and three rushing touchdowns. However, my bet is based on the talent they’ve built around him and the thought that I ain’t always right. Time for Bean to show up and prove himself. He’s still a really young player, and this could be a springboard to much more football success.
Don’t forget to check out the UFL Gambling Podcast as we’ll have you covered every week for picks, DFS, and best bets.
