Jake Leonard 
ARLINGTON, Tex. — The United Football League (UFL) announced its rules changes Tuesday for the upcoming 2026 season, which kicks off on Friday, March 27.
Continuously striving to deliver a more exciting, fast-paced game on the field, the UFL will revolutionize the game by introducing the four-point field goal for attempts made from 60 yards and beyond and banning the tush push.
In addition, the UFL will feature one foot inbounds and no punts within the opponent’s 50-yard line rules, as well as revolutionary overtime guidelines.
“The UFL exists to innovate. If we’re not making the game more exciting and fan-focused, we’re not doing our job,” said UFL co-owner Mike Repole. “These rule changes make football faster, more dynamic, and more exciting for the fans.”
The UFL is making changes in the following areas:
Standard UFL game rule changes
4-point field goal: The league will introduce a four-point field goal. Per the rule, any successful field goal from 60 yards or further will be worth four points.
Inbounds rule: The latest change will only require one foot inbounds to be considered a legal catch. The change adopts NCAA rules to increase passing and scoring. The integration of NCAA rules also has the intention to potentially enhance player safety.
Red Zone penalties: The UFL is reverting back to NFL rules for Red Zone penalties. Red zone penalties in the Red Zone will result in a penalty of half the distance to the goal.
UFL waves goodbye to the tush push
The UFL is eliminating the tush push. The tush push is a play in which, after the quarterback takes the snap, he immediately drives forward as the offensive line surges. The quarterback receives assistance from additional players behind him who physically push him forward into the surging offensive line.
However, it was not determined if attempted tush pushes would receive a penalty.
Punting and field position
No punting behind midfield: No punts will be allowed from anywhere behind the 50-yard line.
Once the ball is made ready for play inside the 50-yard line, a team cannot punt even if a subsequent penalty or loss of yardage moves the ball behind the 50. If the ball is on the 50-yard line, a team may punt the ball.
The rule no longer becomes effective after the two-minute warning in each half.
Overtime rules
Teams will alternate attempts to score from the five-yard line.
Each team will have three attempts to score. However, if after three attempts, there is no tiebreaker, overtime will continue. The overtime period will continue in alternating attempts until there is a winner.
The home team will have the choice to go on offense or defense first. However, in lieu of home team choice, the decision can be made via a coin toss.
PAT options
Teams will have three scrimmage play options to choose from for their point-after-touchdown (PAT) attempt, including a new one-point kick option.
For the traditional 1-point PAT, the attempt will be from 33 yards out.
A 2-point conversion PAT will have the ball placed on the two-yard line.
For a 3-point conversion PAT, the ball will be at the eight-yard line.
Coin toss at the start of the game and in overtime
The league will use a standard coin toss before the start of the game and prior to overtime.
However, the visiting team will have the opportunity to call heads or tails. The winning team, based on the outcome, will then get the first choice.
In previous seasons, the home team made the decision.
UFL kickoff rules
Kickoff line: The ball kickoff will be from the 30-yard line.
Kickoff team: The 10 remaining players on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team’s 45-yard line (Previously, the kickoff team lined up at the 40-yard line).
Receiving team zone: The receiving team’s setup zone will stretch from its 40-yard line to the 35-yard line and must have at least nine players in that zone. (Previously, it was the 35-yard line to the 30-yard line.)
Landing zone: The landing zone will be from the receiving team’s 20-yard line to the goal line. The ball must reach the landing zone or it will be spotted at the 40-yard line.
Out of bounds: If the ball travels out of bounds, it will be spotted at the 40-yard line.
Touchback spots: There will be two touchback spots – the 40-yard line for balls kicked into the end zone, and the 20-yard line for balls that hit in the landing zone and then enter the endzone. (Previously, it was the 35-yard line for balls kicked into the end zone).
