ST. LOUIS — The newly formed United Football League will kick off this spring and will feature both XFL and USFL rules for the 2024 season.
The XFL and USFL announced late last year their intentions to merge to bring springtime football to fans. The merger was completed and officially announced before the new year, creating the UFL.
The league will be split into two conferences, the USFL and XFL. The XFL will feature the St. Louis Battlehawks, DC Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas and reigning champions Arlington Renegades The USFL will have 2023 champions Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats and Michigan Panthers.
As kickoff approaches, the UFL announced Tuesday the rules for its season, including some from both the previous leagues.
Here are the rules for the 2024 season:
Alternate possession option
Onside kicks are allowed at any time during the game. Teams will have the option to retain possession in the fourth quarter as well.
If a team is tied or behind in the fourth quarter, it may choose to retain possession after a score with a 4th-and-12 from its own 28-yard line.
Coaches challenges
Each coach may challenge any ruling one time during the game, provided the team has a timeout remaining.
If successful, it will not result in a loss of a timeout. If unsuccessful, the timeout is lost.
Kickoffs
Kickoffs will look more like traditional college/NFL kickoffs but will take place from the 20-yard line of the kicking team.
A kickoff out of bounds will start the receiving team 30 yards from the spot of the kickoff or where the ball went out of bounds.
A kickoff that is untouched by the receiving team may only be recovered by the kicking team up to 20 yards from the spot of the kick.
Other kicking/touchback rules
All touchbacks on punts or kickoffs will be placed at the receiving team's 25-yard line. If the punt foes out of bounds inside the receiving team's 25-yard line, it will be considered a touchback and placed at the 25-yard line.
Non-kicking touchbacks will also be placed at that yard line.
Overtime
Overtime will consist of alternating attempts from the opponent's 5-yard line. Each team will have three attempts (two points per score) or until a winner is decided.
Points after touchdown
Teams will have three scrimmage play options following a touchdown:
- 1 point: Run a play from the 2-yard line.
- 2 points: Run a play from the 5-yard line.
- 3 points: Run a play from the 10-yard line.
Two forward passes
Teams are allowed to throw two forward passes on one play. The ball cannot cross the line of scrimmage at any time before the second forward pass is being thrown.
This rule was in both the XFL and USFL last season.
The 10-week schedule was announced in early February with a start date of March 30. The Battlehawks first home game will be on April 6.
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