UFL announces rule changes for 2026

The UFL has implemented a series of rule changes for the 2026 season meant to enhance the excitement of its game. UFL’s head of officiating Dean Blandino announced the rule changes that will go into effect this season.

Punts inside the 50-yard line and “Tush Push” banned

The biggest changes involve punts and the much debated “Tush Push” play that the Philadelphia Eagles have made a staple of their offense.

An interesting rule is that when the offensive drive crosses midfield, the team can no longer punt, even if a sack or penalty takes them back behind the 50-yard line. Inside the final two minutes of each half, they lift this ban and allow all traditional punts. This ban covers all types of punts, including quick-kicks.

Also banned is the “Tush Push”, or any play where the quarterback is over center and pushed/aided by a teammate. The penalty for this is 10 yards. Piggybacked on this ban is a point of emphasis focusing on forward progress and rugby-style “piles”. Officials are instructed to blow the play dead immediately once a ball carrier’s forward progress is stopped and discounting any surge that organically occurs rather than applying a penalty.

Other changes also focus on increased offense

Another change includes the adoption of the NFL defensive pass interference penalty as a spot foul and eliminates the 15-yard maximum penalty. While many have advocated having the NFL adopt the NCAA rule, the UFL has decided to move away from it to promote the passing game.

They also introduced a 4-point field goal for kicks made from 60 yards or further, much to the chagrin of football purists and K-ball opponents. The line of scrimmage must be the 42 for the bonus point, and it cannot be gamed by placing the hold deeper than 8 yards.

After touchdowns, the 1-point kick is being reintroduced. The snap for the 1-point kick is from the 15, just as in the NFL; the 2-point conversion is from the 2-yard line, and the 3-point conversion from the 8-yard line. Once a point value is selected, the scoring team can take a timeout to change their mind.

A defensive return of a conversion attempt will score the number of points that the offense was attempting. (In the NFL, all returns for a score are 2 points.) This provides an opening for a team to only score 1 point in a game.

The kickoff alignment was changed by moving teams 5 yards further apart in an effort to improve spacing and encourage bigger returns. The kicking team will now set up between the 40 and 45-yard lines and the return team between the 35 and 40-yard lines.

Touchbacks are also now being severely “penalized” if they go into the end zone untouched. Kicks that do this, in addition to kicks that fall short of the 20-yard landing zone, will be placed at the 40-yard line. This matches a similar change the NFL made to their dynamic kickoff before the 2025 season.

A few other tweaks and reminders

The teams also received communication about a few other changes and reminders. First, coaches now only get one challenge per game and these are limited to live-ball action/fouls. Teams can no longer challenge pre-snap or dead-ball fouls. The Command Center is still responsible for reviewing all scoring plays, turnovers, line-to-gain plays, and any player safety issues. This will head off attempts to nullify touchdowns by quickly scanning the offensive line for a slight movement.

Half the distance penalty enforcement returns. Previously, penalties were enforced at full distance up to the 2-yard line. This change realigns the UFL with all other levels of football.

The UFL also adopted the NCAA rule for a completed catch, where only one foot in-bounds is needed. The feeling is that this is easier to officiate and also improves player safety.

UFL players reported to training camp in Arlington, Texas, this past weekend, with the league’s 10-week season set to begin on March 27th.