ESPN Brings Heavy Hitters to the Sidelines for the 2026 UFL Season

ESPN has announced its signature commentator lineup for the 2026 UFL season.

What’s Happening:

• Sideline analyst duos will secure immediate post-play interviews with players and coaches.
• In-helmet audio integration will allow fans to hear pre-snap adjustments and sideline dialogues. Each team deploys 16 players equipped with in-helmet receivers.
• Point-of-view cameras worn by officials and coaches brings an immersive vantage point of the gridiron action.
• The UFL Command Center features unfiltered broadcast of the live dialogue between the referee and the command center during all replay reviews.
• Tyler Fulghum and Pamela Maldonado will provide integrated prognostications and betting analytics as the live action evolves.
• The 22-game slate, including the UFL Championship, will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and the ESPN App, with select games in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

The Voices Calling the Action

• ESPN deploys all 13 returning voices alongside new sideline additions across multiple broadcast teams:
  • Joe Tessitore | Jordan Rodgers | Tom Luginbill | Sam Acho: The Emmy-winning duo of Tessitore and Rodgers returns following their 2025 debut, flanked by 2001 XFL Champion coach Luginbill and NFL veteran Acho.
  • Mark Jones | Roy Philpott | Roddy Jones | Cole Cubelic | Harry Douglas: Jones and Philpott anchor play-by-play, Roddy Jones analyzes from the booth, while Cubelic and Douglas patrol the sidelines.
  • Lowell Galindo | Kirk Morrison | Eric Mac Lain | Aaron Murray: Galindo and Morrison return for their fourth and third seasons respectively, joined by collegiate standouts Mac Lain and Murray.
  • New Additions: Brock Osweiler and Max Browne make their UFL debuts, appearing as sideline analysts for select matchups throughout the season.

2026 UFL on ESPN commentator schedule – Weeks 1-5

About the UFL

• The United Football League (UFL) came from the strategic merger of the XFL and the USFL.
• The UFL optimized gameplay through rule modifications designed to increase pace and parity.
• Key analytical differentiators include a tiered Point-After-Touchdown (PAT) system, which offers run/pass options from the 2, 5, or 10-yard lines for 1, 2, or 3 points while entirely eliminating the traditional kick, and a modified kickoff designed to reduce high-speed collisions.
• The league's centralized officiating command center, speeds up replay reviews and ensures a higher standard of objectivity in comparison to typical referee configurations.

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