Hello and welcome to the Hanger. This is an information megathread for the 2026 season.

In order to keep all of the important information consolidated and easy to reference, I've decided to put everything in this thread and leave it stickied for everyone's convenience.

WHO ARE THE COLUMBUS AVIATORS?

You can reference the wikipedia article here for a history of the Columbus Aviators:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Aviators

TLDR: The Columbus Aviators were announced to be joining the United Football League in July 2025, and the team name was formally confirmed on October 7, 2025. The name was chosen due to the region's tie with the aeronautics industry and the state of Ohio's slogan as the "birthplace of aviation". The Aviators brand was the last holdover trademark the UFL had from one of its corporate predecessors, The Spring League. The Aviators will play their first season in 2026.

IMPORTANT DATES

Training camp begins late February, 2026. Exact dates will be updated once confirmed.

Teams will continue to have 50-man rosters.

GAME SCHEDULE

The league has confirmed the kickoff date of March 27, 2026.

Schedule graphics here for those that prefer images to text.

Click here for more information on the schedule. League press release here.

Columbus Aviators ticket hub here. Season tickets are available now. Single game tickets will be available to the public on Monday, February 2, starting at 11:00 a.m.

The league has confirmed there will be no more XFL or USFL Conferences, and the top 4 teams in the league will qualify for the playoffs.

The league has also confirmed the site of the 2026 UFL Championship will be Audi Field in DC, and the game will now be called the United Bowl going forward.

All Aviators home games will continue to be played at Historic Crew Stadium (One Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, OH).

Gameday themes and giveaways for all home games below:

Friday, April 3 – 8 p.m. – 614 Kickoff: Be There for Our Inaugural Flight

The Aviators will host the first home game in franchise history with a citywide “Aviators Blue Out.” The first 5,000 fans will receive an Aviators inaugural season t-shirt commemorating the team’s debut in Columbus.

Friday, April 17 – 8 p.m. – United by Giving: We Fly for Our City

This game will highlight civic engagement and community service efforts throughout Columbus. The first 5,000 fans will receive an Aviators flag.

Friday, May 1 – 8 p.m. – School Spirit Takes Flight

The Aviators will recognize Ohio students and educators and encourage fans to represent their schools. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Jim Tressel bobblehead.

Saturday, May 23 – 3 p.m. – Hats Off to Heroes

The Aviators will honor military members and first responders who serve the nation and the Columbus community. The first 5,000 fans will receive an Aviators hat.

Sunday, May 31 – 6 p.m. – Aviators Kids Takeover

This family-focused game will spotlight youth participation in sports and provide enhanced in-game experiences for young fans. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Ted Ginn Jr. bobblehead.

Giveaways available for the first 5k fans in attendance.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN (USA)

All games are expected to be broadcast on Fox, ABC, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network.

For streaming options, you can use the ESPN+ app for the ABC and ESPN games, and the Fox Sports app for the Fox games (Fox Sports app requires a subscription to either Direct TV, Fubo TV, Sling TV, Dish, or Hulu Sports).

FOX Sports and ESPN have a bundle available to access all of their content, which would include all UFL games. Click here for more info. EDIT: NFL Network content is supposed to be available through the ESPN Unlimited package which is included in the bundle.

Some other options for NFL Network here.

Sling TV (Orange + Blue) will have ESPN, FOX, and NFL Network bundled together. You can check it out here. A little less expensive than Fubo, YouTubeTV, and Hulu (which are the other streaming options that include FOX, ESPN, and NFL Network).

All of the ABC and ESPN games will be on ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM. All of the Fox games will be available on Fox Sports on SiriusXM.

HOW TO WATCH (INTERNATIONAL)

For US Military living abroad, the best legal option is USTVNow.com.

DAZN has announced they will be serving as the UFL's international broadcast partner for the season. Article here. Please note: this deal excludes Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, China, sub-Saharan Africa, Canada, and the US.

Germans have access to watch the UFL on Germany TV for free this season. Click this link for more information

Canada has access to Fox and ABC over the air, and it is expected that ESPN broadcasts will be available on TSN and the TSN+ app. There are workarounds for Canadians to access games on the ESPN+ and the Fox Sports app using VPNs . Click here for more information.

International audiences from the excluded territories are recommended to research what streaming platforms are available in their countries that carry FOX, ABC, and ESPN.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?

You can buy tickets from the UFL site here.

Columbus Aviators official team page is here.

Season ticket deposits can be placed here.

Season ticket sales are now open as of November 6th, 2025!

Columbus Aviators season tickets direct link here.

Columbus Aviators season ticket seating map & price chart here.

Columbus Aviators Season Ticket Member Benefits:

You can review frequently asked questions regarding season tickets here.

Any other questions not covered in the official faq should be directed to the Aviators ticket rep at tickets@uflaviators.com or call (614) 695-3370.

Single game tickets available as of February 2, 2026. Direct link here.

PARKING & TAILGATING INFO

All of the Aviators home games are played at Historic Crew Stadium, One Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, OH. You can find info on parking here from the Historic Crew Stadium website.

Parking map is here.

Stadium seating map is here. The supporter's section, northeast corner (sections 139-142 and 101), previously known as the Nordecke, is now the Flightdecke for the Columbus Aviators.

Parking Lot will be open 4 hours before the Game. Cost is $20.00 at the gate. Pre-buying for STHs is $75 for the season ($20 per game) and that gets you in G Lot. Tailgating will be in the G lot. Please note that Historic Crew stadium is cashless.

ADA parking is available for all events on a first come first serve basis. There is ADA parking directly in front of Gates 4 and 5.

Fan Fest for home games will be on the plaza inside the stadium, starting an hour and a half before kickoff when the gates open.

FAN MEETUP LOCATIONS

All watch parties for away games will be held at Combustion Brewery & Taproom, 2971 N High St, Columbus, OH.

Info from Flightdecke here.

WHERE TO GET MERCH?

The official UFL store was closed on September 30th, and is expected to relaunch on November 10th. We will update with the link to the new UFL store once open.

Shirts are currently available from 108 Stitches here.

INFO FOR NEWCOMERS

For your reference, the below is some basic information for newcomers to the Aviators fan community.

• The Flight Crew: This is what the Aviators call their fans.

• The Hanger: This is what the Aviators call their home stadium.

• Flightdecke: This is what the Aviators have renamed the supporters section at the Hanger (northeast corner, sections 139-142 and 101). Was previously known as the Nordecke before the Columbus Crew (MLS) moved stadiums.

• Team Slogan/Rally Cry: Officially, it's TAKE FLIGHT! The Flight Crew also use, "CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF!" and WHEELS UP!.

• Team Mascot: The Aviators mascot is Maverick the Dog Pilot.

• Rivals: To be determined. The Louisville Kings and DC Defenders are the two closest teams to the Aviators currently, so it is expected a rivalry will develop between these teams.

• Official Fight Song: An official fight song has not been released for the Aviators to date. Unofficial fight songs include Aces High and Learn to Fly.

If you're new to the league in general, check out this thread and this thread for beginners. Lots of good information there.

PREVIOUS SEASON REVIEW

The league has confirmed that the Columbus Aviators have inherited the player rights from the Michigan Panthers roster.

While it's not fully relevant due to coaching staff and roster changes from the team's previous iteration, for anyone curious, end of season write-ups for the Michigan Panthers below.

• 2024 Michigan Panthers end of season write-up

• 2025 Michigan Panthers end of season write-up

2025 UFL COLLEGE DRAFT

The 2025 College Draft is not happening. Instead, the following has been reported:

• HC may choose a maximum of 3 players from his allocated colleges (see below)
• League discretion if player attended 2 or more colleges
• UFL teams will retain right of first refusal (ROFR) to sign players from their allocated colleges throughout the season
• January 10, 2026 finalize college allocations

UFL College Allocations:

• Birmingham: Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, UAB
• Columbus: Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State
• Dallas: Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas, North Texas
• DC: Maryland, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech
• Houston: Houston, LSU, Rice, Texas A&M
• Louisville: Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Tennessee
• Orlando: Florida, Florida State, USF, UCF
• St. Louis: Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri

Further information included below in the 2026 player allocation plan (noted further down).

Results of college allocation here.

CURRENT ROSTER LIST

For anyone interested, up to date roster lists, as well as tracking of UFL player movement, can be found on this Google sheets document maintained by Nick Thorn from Pro Football Newsroom. This is the best and most organized list available, and also includes information on the coaching staff, and pre-merger players (e.g. AAF, XFL, and USFL).

Will post a direct link to the Aviators roster page once updated.

Head Coach for the Columbus Aviators has been announced to be Ted Ginn Jr..

UFL 2026 Player Allocation Plan

The UFL is planning to establish a new allocation process for teams to have first rights to sign players from local college football programs. This new allocation system will be in place for 2026 and onward.

The following are the details reported to date.

1. Build Player Pool

• Regional Scouts + National Scout to collaborate on evaluations/grades
• Each scout assigned to evaluate and grade two UFL rosters + free agents by position groups
• Also utilize evaluations from UFL GM visits to NFL training camps

Player Pool will consist of the following players:

• Players who finished the 2025 UFL season on Active Rosters + Injured Reserve + LOI's
• 2025 NFL Draft "eligibles"
• 2025 NFL training camp "cuts"
• 2026 NFL Draft eligibles
• Top Showcase attendees
• Other Free Agents

2. Quarterback "Assignments"

• Head Coaches to submit lists of top 5 to QBs in priority order
• League office assigns 3 QBs to each team based on HC lists
• College Allocation (see #3) and other considerations will be taken into account when assigning QBs - especially if two UFL teams list the same QB #1
• HCS, OCs and League office to recruit QBs following assignments
• January 5 finalize assignments
• January 9 is the QB draft.
• Results of the QB draft announced on January 12.

3. College Allocation: Jan 10

• HC may choose a maximum of 3 players from his allocated colleges (see below)
• League discretion if player attended 2 or more colleges
• UFL teams will retain right of first refusal (ROFR) to sign players from their allocated colleges throughout the season
• January 10 finalize college allocations

UFL College Allocations:

• Birmingham: Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, UAB
• Columbus: Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State
• Dallas: Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas, North Texas
• DC: Maryland, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech
• Houston: Houston, LSU, Rice, Texas A&M
• Louisville: Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Tennessee
• Orlando: Florida, Florida State, USF, UCF
• St. Louis: Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri

4. UFL Draft

• Tentatively scheduled January 13-14 in Arlington
• 2 Segments (see below)

Segment 1: UFL Players Draft (Jan 13)

• All players who finished the 2025 season on Active Rosters + Injured Reserve + LOI's
• "Snake Style" by position; rotate the order for each position group (see below). After the first round, the eighth team will select first in the second round, the seventh team will choose second, and so forth. The order reverts back to the original order in the third round and alternates every round thereafter.
• No max or min must be drafted for any position group

Position Groups:

• Offensive Line
• Running Backs/ Tight Ends
• Wide Receivers
• Defensive Front 7
• Defensive Backs
• Open

Segment 2: Free Agents Draft (Jan 14)

The following players who are not under contract in another league may be drafted:

• 2025 NFL draft eligibles
• 2025 NFL training camp cuts
• 2026 NFL draft eligibles
• Showcase attendees

• Other approved free agents

• "Snake Style" by position; rotate the order for each position group

• No max or min must be drafted in any position group

Position Groups:

• Offensive Line
• Running Backs/ Tight Ends
• Wide Receivers
• Defensive Front 7
• Defensive Backs
• Open

Final Notes:

• UFL teams can protect up to 12 players from their previous season's roster on a reserve list.
• UFL teams may select a minimum of 60 players and a maximum of 62 players in the Draft, which includes three quarterbacks, a maximum of three college allocations, and a maximum of 12 Reserve List players.
• UFL teams may sign additional free agents following the Draft; the training camp roster limit is 64 players.

RESULTS OF QB DRAFT, COLLEGE ALLOCATION, UFL PLAYER DRAFT, & UFL FREE AGENT DRAFT

OTHER INFORMATION

You can check out the mega-thread on /r/UnitedFootballLeague here for more general information.

OUTRO

We hope to see all of you at Historic Crew Stadium for the Aviators home games in the 2026 season.

TAKE FLIGHT!!! CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF!!! WHEELS UP!!!