Week 4 of the 2026 United Football League delivered high drama, with two winless teams finally breaking through, an undefeated squad getting humbled, a defensive masterclass, and a classic rivalry thriller. The parity in spring football was on full display as the league heads into the middle stretch of the regular season.
Thursday: Louisville Kings 24, Houston Gamblers 22 (OT)
The week opened in Houston with a back-and-forth battle that went to overtime. The Louisville Kings (1-3) earned their first victory of the season in dramatic fashion, outlasting the Houston Gamblers (1-3) at Shell Energy Stadium.
It was perhaps sweet justice for the Kings. Just one week earlier in Week 3, Louisville had suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss under the league’s old sudden-death rules—where two defensive penalties automatically gave the offense 2 points. That format had drawn criticism for lacking fairness. But the UFL’s revised overtime rules implemented this season changed everything for the better: no longer will a game be decided on penalties. The new system took away the possibility of referees directly deciding the outcome of the game. Instead, it gave the power back to where it belongs, on the players. This new rule benefited the Kings perfectly on Thursday night.
Louisville built a 16-6 halftime lead with timely field goals and a touchdown drive. Houston roared back in the third quarter with a 68-yard rushing score and took a brief lead. The Kings responded with two fourth-quarter field goals to tie it at 22-22. A missed Gamblers field goal as time expired sent the game to OT, where the revised rules shone. The Kings converted a crucial two-point attempt in the shootout phase while Houston could not, walking away with the 24-22 victory and their first win of the year.
Friday: Columbus Aviators 28, Dallas Renegades 14
One of the biggest upsets of the young season came in Columbus. The Columbus Aviators (1-3) stunned the previously undefeated Dallas Renegades (now 3-1) at Historic Crew Stadium, handing Dallas its first loss.
The Aviators’ defense stepped up big, and their offense capitalized on opportunities against a Renegades squad that had looked dominant early in the year. This win breathed life into Columbus’s season while serving as a wake-up call for Dallas heading into tougher conference play.
Saturday: DC Defenders 28, St. Louis Battlehawks 22
Reigning champions DC Defenders (3-1) survived a gritty road test against the St. Louis Battlehawks (2-2) in a down-to-the-wire contest at Audi Field.
DC pulled ahead late, including a key safety, but St. Louis kept it close throughout. The Defenders improved to 3-1 and maintained their strong position in the standings, while the Battlehawks dropped to .500 after a competitive showing.
Saturday: Orlando Storm 16, Birmingham Stallions 0
The undefeated Orlando Storm (4-0) continued their hot start with a dominant defensive performance, blanking the Birmingham Stallions (1-3) at Protective Stadium.
Orlando’s defense completely shut down Birmingham’s attack in a low-scoring affair. Notably, former Stallions head coach Skip Holtz—a multi-time spring football champion—was in attendance. The Storm remain the only unbeaten team and look like early frontrunners.
Standings After Week 4
| Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA | Streak |
| Orlando Storm | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | 87 | 52 | W4 |
| DC Defenders | 3 | 1 | .750 | 127 | 71 | W3 |
| Dallas Renegades | 3 | 1 | .750 | 109 | 83 | L1 |
| St. Louis Battlehawks | 2 | 2 | .500 | 87 | 99 | L1 |
| Louisville Kings | 1 | 3 | .250 | 73 | 85 | W1 |
| Houston Gamblers | 1 | 3 | .250 | 68 | 125 | L2 |
| Columbus Aviators | 1 | 3 | .250 | 93 | 109 | W1 |
| Birmingham Stallions | 1 | 3 | .250 | 65 | 85 | L3 |
Takeaways from Week 4
- Depth and Parity: With multiple close games and first wins for Louisville and Columbus, the UFL continues to show competitive balance. No team is running away with it yet.
- Orlando’s Dominance: The Storm’s shutout victory underscores their defensive strength and consistency. They lead the league in wins and point differential.
- Defensive Battles: Low-scoring affairs and strong individual defensive performances (sacks by Gill and Allen, for example) highlighted the physicality of UFL play.
- Momentum Shifts: Dallas’s loss and DC’s narrow escape suggest the top of the standings could remain fluid.
Week 5 promises more intrigue as teams like the Kings travel to face the Renegades, and the Gamblers host the Aviators. The UFL season is heating up—spring football fans are in for a treat as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
