The 2026 UFL playoffs have reached their conclusion for the opening round, with the DC Defenders and the Louisville Kings emerging as the two teams set to face off in the United Bowl. Following a competitive slate of Sunday matchups, these two organizations secured their respective spots in the championship game, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Defenders Overcome Storm in Playoff Rematch
In a high-stakes encounter, the DC Defenders defeated the Orlando Storm with a final score of 28-22. This game marked the third meeting between the two teams in just three weeks. While the Storm had claimed victory in both of their regular-season matchups, the Defenders managed to shift the momentum when it mattered most. The Defenders established an early 10-point lead following rushing touchdowns from Deon Jackson and Abram Smith, both from three yards out.
The Storm attempted to rally after Kana’i Mauga intercepted a pass from backup quarterback Spencer Sanders and returned it for a touchdown. However, the Defenders responded when Jason Bean connected with Briley Moore for a 33-yard touchdown, extending their advantage to 24-13. Matt McCrane further cushioned the lead for DC with a 61-yard field goal. Although the Storm narrowed the gap with a 40-yard touchdown reception by Chris Rowland with 3:10 remaining in the game, they were unable to regain possession to complete a comeback.
Key statistical contributions for the Defenders included quarterback Jason Bean, who finished 18-of-33 for 233 yards and one touchdown, and running back Abram Smith, who recorded 57 rushing yards and a score. For the Storm, Jack Plummer threw for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Chris Rowland led the receiving effort with six catches for 82 yards.
Kings Advance After Topping Battlehawks
In the second playoff game of the night, the Louisville Kings earned a 29-20 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks. The win allows the Kings to progress to the United Bowl after a season that saw them overcome a 0-3 start. The Kings maintained pressure throughout the contest, highlighted by Tanner Brown’s 60-yard, four-point field goal that gave his team an eight-point lead.
The Battlehawks fought back when Luis Perez found Blake Jackson for a 12-yard touchdown, but a 51-yard rushing touchdown from Ian Wheeler pushed the Kings ahead by four points. Brown later added another four-point field goal to finalize the cushion. Chandler Rogers steered the Kings’ offense, completing 12-of-20 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. Ian Wheeler contributed significantly on the ground with 89 rushing yards and a score, while linebacker Cam Gill anchored the defense with six tackles and one sack.
St. Louis quarterback Luis Perez concluded the game 27-of-45 for 249 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Wide receiver Steven McBride was a primary target for the Battlehawks, recording six catches on 10 targets for 84 receiving yards.
United Bowl Championship Details
The championship matchup between the DC Defenders and the Louisville Kings is confirmed for Saturday, June 13, 2026. This final game will determine which team claims the UFL trophy for the 2026 season. Fans looking for additional information regarding team statistics or further updates on the league can visit the official UFL league website. We invite readers to share their thoughts on these playoff results and their predictions for the upcoming United Bowl in the comments section below.