STWF Sports| ARLINGTON, Texas| October 15, 2026 — The United Football League is turning its 2027 Draft into a major fan event, announcing that all eight head coaches will gather at Ballpark Village in St. Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, for a public draft experience featuring live television coverage and unprecedented access to the league’s decision-making process.
The first two rounds of the 2027 UFL Draft will air live on NFL Network beginning at 8 p.m. ET and will also be available through the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers. The event will be free and open to the public. Pasted markdown
UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon said bringing the draft to St. Louis is a way to recognize the city’s strong spring football support while giving fans a closer look at how teams are built.
“As we look ahead to the 2027 season, bringing our Draft to St. Louis is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognize the city and its passionate Battlehawks faithful,” Brandon said. He added that the goal is to give fans a more direct connection to the league’s coaches and their draft decisions. Pasted markdown
Draft Process Moves Into the Spotlight
For the first time, the UFL plans to bring the strategy behind the draft directly to the audience.
During the first two rounds, coaches will provide real-time insight into the reasoning behind their selections. The two-hour public event will feature team pods and a main stage placed within the fan environment at Ballpark Village, creating a more interactive draft atmosphere. Pasted markdown
ESPN commentator Joe Tessitore will host the draft, while Michelle Smallmon will report from the floor. Smallmon brings a direct St. Louis connection as a native of the city and former Battlehawks in-stadium host. Pasted markdown
Additional draft content will also be distributed through UFL team and league social media and website channels. Pasted markdown
Dallas Renegades Hold Fourth Pick
The 2027 UFL Draft will consist of 15 total rounds, with the first two rounds featuring 16 televised selections.
The Columbus Aviators hold the No. 1 overall pick, while Colorado, Rhode Island and Dallas will rotate positions because the three clubs finished with the same record in 2026. The selection order was otherwise determined by reverse order of the previous season’s standings. Pasted markdown
The Dallas Renegades will select fourth in the opening round and third in Round 2. St. Louis will pick fifth in both rounds, followed by Orlando, DC and Louisville. Pasted markdown
Teams will have three minutes to make each televised selection.
Expanded Player Pool
The draft pool will include players eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft, whether or not they are selected or signed by an NFL team. Players from the 2023 through 2026 NFL Draft classes who have appeared on an NFL roster since the June 13, 2026 United Bowl Championship Game will also be eligible. Pasted markdown
The UFL has set a 64-player camp roster limit, though drafted players and UFL alumni currently in the NFL will not count against that number until they sign contracts. Pasted markdown
The league will also continue using its Showcase program as another pathway into professional football. Additional showcases are scheduled in Orlando, Louisville, Los Angeles and Arlington before and after the draft. Pasted markdown
Continuing Spring Football’s Development Path
The UFL is positioning the 2027 Draft as the latest chapter in spring football’s role as a bridge to higher-level opportunities.
Previous XFL, USFL and UFL drafts have produced players who later earned NFL opportunities, including Daniel Whelan, Hakeem Butler, Gottlieb Ayedze, Tay Martin and Ameer Speed. Pasted markdown
For the UFL, the November event is about more than selecting talent.
It is also another step in making the league more accessible to fans while building momentum toward the 2027 season.
