The Rock Announces Start Date for 2025 UFL Schedule in Hype Video

Doric SamSeptember 18, 2024

David Becker/WireImage

After a successful first season earlier this year, the United Football League will be back for another campaign.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is a part owner of the UFL, announced in a hype video on Wednesday that the league will begin its second season on March 28, 2025:

Dwayne Johnson @TheRockNew season.
New opportunities.
03.28.25 @TheUFL #BallOut pic.twitter.com/B9UflGYW2v

The UFL was established following a merger between the XFL and the USFL in late 2023. It began its inaugural season on March 30 and concluded with its championship game between the Birmingham Stallions and San Antonio Brahmas on June 16. Birmingham earned a 25-0 win to become the league’s first champion.

Following the season, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks touted the success of the UFL and declared that the league has already exceeded expectations.

“When games matter, [viewership] pops,” Shanks told Mollie Cahillane and Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal in June, referencing conference championship numbers that jumped nearly 60 percent over the 2023 USFL playoffs. “This is a prime example of broadcast television and being strategic with your scheduling, and that’s going to get better as time goes on.”

The 2025 season will feature a new wrinkle, as the UFL will be adding Friday night football to its spring schedule.

“Adding Friday nights to our spring football schedule speaks to how strong our league has become,” President and CEO Russ Brandon said in a release. “Our teams have been working diligently this offseason to prepare for 2025, and look forward to bringing that work to life and sharing it with our fans in season two.”

The 2025 campaign will have a 10-week regular-season schedule and conclude with the UFL championship game on June 14. ESPN, ABC and Fox will remain the broadcast partners for the league in its second year, with the Friday night games broadcasted on Fox.