The UFL has a new champion. The D.C. Defenders defeated the Michigan Panthers in St. Louis on Saturday night, 58-34. It was the most points scored by any team in two seasons of UFL action. The game was back and forth at first, with the Panthers leading 6-0 and 13-6 in the first half. By intermission, D.C. built a 37-19 lead.

Seven of the UFL's eight home markets had their average attendance drop in 2025, with the Michigan Panthers' 30.4% increase in attendance serving as the outlier. Four markets – Arlington, Birmingham, Houston and Memphis – averaged fewer than 10,000 fans per game.

The UFL experienced declines in attendance and viewership in 2025, but the league still sees a path to long-term sustainability, discussing possible expansion.

UFL players aren't paid as handsomely as their NFL counterparts, but they secured a salary raise for the 2025 season.