The 2026 season was the Louisville Kings’ first in the United Football League (UFL). They were led by first-year head coach Chris Redman and played their home games at Lynn Family Stadium. The Kings finished the regular season with a 6–4 record, securing the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. They went on to win the 2026 United Bowl, defeating the DC Defenders 27–20. The Kings became the first team in league history to win a title in its inaugural season.
The Kings began the season 0–3 before defeating the Houston Gamblers 24–22 in overtime to earn their first win. Following the victory, Louisville traded starting quarterback Jason Bean, released starting running back Benny Snell, and made significant changes along the offensive line. Quarterback Chandler Rogers then led the Kings to a 6–4 finish, with the team's only loss during that stretch coming against the St. Louis Battlehawks. The 5–1 stretch included two victories over the defending UFL champions DC Defenders. Under Rogers, Louisville scored at least 30 points in all of its wins, including two games with 42 or more points. The 2026 season saw Louisville continue its rise, clinching a playoff spot on May 30 after the Birmingham Stallions lost to the Gamblers in Week 10, becoming the first team in UFL history to reach the playoffs after an 0–3 start. After defeating the Columbus Aviators in the regular season finale, the Kings also became the first team in league history to finish with a winning record following that start. Louisville then defeated St. Louis 29–20 in the playoffs before going on to win the 2026 United Bowl 27–20 over DC.
Individually, Cam Gill was named UFL Defensive Player of the Year and set a league record with 10 sacks. Kicker Tanner Brown was named UFL Special Teams Player of the Year and set a league record with 25 field goals, converting 89.3% of his attempts.
Offseason Coaching changes On December 30, 2025, Chris Redman was named the team's inaugural head coach. On February 23, 2026, the Kings announced their full 2026 coaching staff.
On March 31, 2026, following the team's inaugural game, offensive line coach Breno Giacomini was fired. On April 3, 2026, his replacement, Charlie Eger, was announced.
Draft
Teams were allowed to protect up to 12 players from their 2025 rosters. Following this process, the Louisville Kings were allocated players from the roster of the defunct Memphis Showboats.
Staff Louisville Kings staffHead coach Head coach – Chris Redman
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Steve Logan Wide receivers – Tony Banks Tight ends – Jeff Jagodzinski Offensive line – Charlie Eger Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Jamie Sharper Linebackers – Brad Jackson Defensive backs – Chris McAlister Sources:
Final roster
Schedule
WeekDayDateKickoffTVOpponentResultsLocationAttendanceScoreRecord1FridayMarch 278:00 p.m.FoxBirmingham Stallions L 13–15 0–1Lynn Family Stadium 14,0342SaturdayApril 48:00 p.m.ESPNat Orlando Storm L 9–19 0–2Inter&Co Stadium 8,5853FridayApril 108:00 p.m.FoxOrlando Storm L 27–29 0–3Lynn Family Stadium 11,0824ThursdayApril 168:00 p.m.NFL Networkat Houston Gamblers W 24–22 1–3Shell Energy Stadium 4,8805SundayApril 263:00 p.m.ABCat Dallas Renegades W 47–25 2–3Toyota Stadium 7,1236ThursdayApril 308:00 p.m.FS1St. Louis Battlehawks L 3–16 2–4Lynn Family Stadium 10,4567SaturdayMay 91:30 p.m.Foxat DC Defenders W 30–13 3–4Audi Field 7,9508SaturdayMay 1612:00 p.m.ABCDC Defenders W 33–30 4–4Lynn Family Stadium 10,0259SundayMay 244:00 p.m.FoxDallas Renegades W 37–23 5–4Lynn Family Stadium 10,37810SundayMay 316:00 p.m.Foxat Columbus Aviators W 42–27 6–4Historic Crew Stadium 10,705
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Birmingham Stallions
The Louisville Kings’ inaugural drive began with a dropped pass that was deflected and intercepted by the Stallions’ Dyontae Johnson. The Stallions capitalized on the turnover, scoring on their ensuing possession with a five-yard run by Snoop Conner, though the extra point attempt was unsuccessful. Louisville responded on its next drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jason Bean to Lucky Jackson. The Stallions then had a field goal attempt blocked on their next possession, but later converted a 31-yard field goal by kicker Jonathan Garibay following a Kings punt. With under a minute remaining in the first half, Kings running back Ian Wheeler fumbled at the goal line, and the Stallions maintained a 9–7 lead at halftime. Singer Russell Dickerson performed during the halftime show.
To start the second half, following a Stallions failed fourth-down conversion, Kings kicker Tanner Brown made a 37-yard field goal. Louisville then stopped Birmingham on a fourth-down attempt at the 38-yard line. Brown added a 21-yard field goal to extend the Kings’ lead to 13–9 with 8:42 remaining. On the Stallions’ next drive, Matt Corral threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Justyn Ross, but Garibay missed the extra point, giving the Stallions a 15–13 lead with under two minutes remaining. Jaden Shirden returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield, but Bean was ultimately intercepted by Hudson Clark. The Stallions were forced to punt with under a minute remaining, but their defense held Louisville, securing the victory.
Week 2: at Orlando Storm
After both teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter, Kings quarterback Jason Bean was replaced by backup quarterback Chandler Rogers, who led the team to two additional field goals by Tanner Brown, giving the Kings a 9–6 lead. Late in the first half, Storm starting quarterback Jack Plummer left the game due to injury. His replacement, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, made his UFL debut and completed two of three passes for 19 yards before Plummer returned on a third-and-19 play, connecting with wide receiver K. J. Hamler for a 41-yard touchdown reception with under a minute remaining. The extra point was missed, and Orlando led 12–9 at halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Plummer found wide receiver Elijhah Badger for a 39-yard touchdown pass. Following a near interception return touchdown by Mishael Powell off Rogers, Kings cornerback Deantre Prince intercepted Plummer in the end zone, giving the Kings one final opportunity. Bean re-entered the game at quarterback, but the offense was unable to score and was shut out in the second half. The Kings ultimately lost 19–9, finishing with just 27 rushing yards on 13 carries and 216 yards of total offense.
Week 3: vs. Orlando Storm
In a rematch from the previous week, the Storm took a 10–6 lead into halftime, highlighted by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jack Plummer to Chris Rowland. Kings quarterback Jason Bean made his third consecutive start after being benched the prior week and played most of the first half, briefly exiting for a few plays due to injury.
To open the second half, Bean connected with Zach Davidson on a 23-yard touchdown pass, marking the Kings’ first touchdown since the first quarter of their season opener and ending a scoring drought of over 100 minutes of game time. Orlando responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Plummer to Jashaun Corbin. Plummer later added another second-half touchdown pass to K. J. Hamler. Bean answered with three second-half touchdown passes of his own, including one to Lucky Jackson and a second to Davidson in the final two minutes to tie the game at 27–27.
After neither team scored in the best-of-three shootout, the Kings were stopped on their fourth sudden-death attempt. Orlando then secured the victory after Louisville committed two consecutive defensive penalties, resulting in an awarded two-point conversion. The overtime format drew significant scrutiny from fans and media following the game. League owner Mike Repole commented on X, stating, “Fans don't like the rule. I don't like the rule either. I hear you guys... We owe our fans better.”
Week 4: at Houston Gamblers
Prior to Week 4, the UFL revised the rule to prevent games from being decided on defensive penalties in overtime; instead, such penalties would only move the ball closer to the goal line. The Kings also re-signed former NFL running back James Robinson, who had previously been released during training camp.
The first quarter featured 50-plus-yard field goals from both teams, as Tanner Brown and John Hoyland each connected from long distance. On a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, Robinson scored on a one-yard run—marking the Kings’ first rushing touchdown of the season—and the touchdown was upheld after replay review. The remaining scoring in the half came via field goals, including a 59-yard kick from Hoyland and two from Brown, one of which was a 58-yarder just before halftime, giving the Kings a 16–6 lead.
Gamblers quarterback Nolan Henderson was replaced to start the second half by Taulia Tagovailoa. On the first play of the half, Houston running back Marcus Yarns scored on a 68-yard run, though Hoyland missed the extra point. Houston took the lead on its next possession when Tagovailoa scored on a six-yard run. Hoyland added his third field goal of 50 yards or more to cap the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Brown made two additional field goals, finishing 5-of-6 on the game, with three from 50 yards or longer. Hoyland went 3-of-4 but missed a 38-yard attempt in the final minute of regulation.
In overtime, the Kings converted on their second attempt when quarterback Jason Bean completed a two-point conversion pass to Tre' McKitty, giving Louisville the lead. The Kings' defense then stopped Houston on all three of its conversion attempts to secure the victory.
Week 5: at Dallas Renegades
Prior to the matchup, the Louisville Kings made a series of significant roster moves. The team traded starting quarterback Jason Bean to the DC Defenders in exchange for quarterback Mike DiLiello. They also released running back Benny Snell, who had started all four games and recorded 31 carries for 72 yards. Following Bean's departure, head coach Chris Redman named Chandler Rogers as the new starting quarterback. In addition, the Kings signed center Dohnovan West and offensive tackle Kellen Diesch, while releasing guard Nash Jensen and offensive tackle Leroy Watson.
Louisville secured its second consecutive victory of the season as quarterback Chandler Rogers made his first professional start. Dallas quarterback Austin Reed, who entered the game leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns, was intercepted four times—twice by Corey Mayfield Jr. and once each by Bryce Hall and Antonio Grier, with Hall and Grier each returning their interceptions for touchdowns. The Kings never trailed and rushed for 147 yards on 29 carries, led by running backs James Robinson and Ian Wheeler, with Wheeler scoring four rushing touchdowns. Kicker Tanner Brown converted both field goal attempts and leads the league with 14 made field goals through five games. Rogers was efficient in his debut, completing 13 of 18 passes for 150 yards without committing a turnover. For Dallas, running back Ellis Merriweather scored two rushing touchdowns. On the final play of the game, wide receiver Greg Ward—a former standout quarterback at Houston—threw a consolation touchdown in his lone series at quarterback as Louisville won 47–25.
Week 6: vs. St. Louis Battlehawks