UFL unveils sweeping rule changes ahead of new season, including 4-point field goals

UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon discusses the 'evolution' of the league and the 51 players who've gone on to the NFL.

United Football League games will look noticeably different once the 2026 season kicks off. 

The spring football league announced several rule revisions for its upcoming season, including a new twist on field goals. Any team that makes a field goal of at least 60 yards will receive four points instead of the traditional three.

"We want to create an exciting game. We want good flow. We want big plays. We want to promote scoring," UFL head of officiating Dean Blandino told USA Today Sports.

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A Columbus Aviators UFL football before an introductory press conference at Historic Crew Stadium Oct. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/UFL/Getty Images)

Other notable changes center around punting restrictions. Teams will be barred from punting "anywhere inside the 50-yard line," the UFL said, except after the two-minute warning in either half.

The past couple of seasons in the NFL saw an uptick in field goal tries from beyond the 60-yard mark. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who played spring football in the USFL from 2022-23, connected on a 64-yard field goal last season.

The UFL logo on an end zone pylon during the second half of the UFL game between the DC Defenders and the San Antonio Brahmas at Audi Field April 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  (Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)

"Kicking a 65-yard field goal is a lot harder than one from 35," Blandino added, according to ESPN. "Why should they count the same? So, it promotes excitement. Those are really, really exciting plays, whether it's an end to half or end of game, and it's also going to change