After Super Bowl 57, football fans will likely turn their attention to the XFL, which kicks off its inaugural season a week after the NFL ends. However, a few weeks later, another spring league is set to return for its second year. When exactly does the USFL season start? Here are some key dates, times, and schedules to keep in mind as we look forward to another season of the USFL.
When Does the USFL Start?
The second season of the USFL begins on Saturday, April 15, 2023. That afternoon, we will get the first of 40 regular-season games that will eventually culminate with a USFL championship on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Below, you can find the entire first week of USFL action.
USFL Week 1 Schedule
Saturday, April 15
Philadelphia at Memphis | 4:30 p.m. ET
New Jersey at Birmingham | 7:30 p.m. ET
MORE: Complete 2023 USFL Schedule
Sunday, April 16
Michigan at Houston | Noon ET
Pittsburgh at New Orleans | 6:30 p.m. ET
USFL Teams
This year, we have eight USFL teams competing in the league.
North Division
- Michigan Panthers
- New Jersey Generals
- Philadelphia Stars
- Pittsburgh Maulers
South Division
- Birmingham Stallions
- Houston Gamblers
- Memphis Showboats
- New Orleans Breakers
There might be a bit of a surprise when looking at the list of South Division USFL teams. That is because the Tampa Bay Bandits, one of the teams from the first season of the league, have decided to take a hiatus this year. In their absence, the Memphis Showboats have joined the league.
USFL Head Coaches
With a new year comes some new names at the head coach position. Jeff Fisher has resigned as the head coach of the Michigan Panthers, creating space for a new face in the USFL. Here are all the head coaches for the 2023 USFL season.
Birmingham Stallions | Skip Holtz
Houston Gamblers | Kevin Sumlin
Memphis Showboats | Todd Haley
Michigan Panthers | Mike Nolan
New Jersey Generals | Mike Riley
New Orleans Breakers | John DeFilippo
Philadelphia Stars | Bart Andrus
Pittsburgh Maulers | Ray Horton
Who Are the USFL Quarterbacks?
Obviously, when it comes to newer leagues, the quality of the game falls on the shoulders of whoever is throwing the ball. With quarterback talent hard to come by, the question of who will be in the most important position for each USFL team becomes all that much more interesting.
Here are some of the names we expect to see when the season starts on April 15. There will likely still be some changes to rosters as the next few months progress, but these are the players that are currently slotted to lead their USFL franchises.
Birmingham Stallions | Alex McGough
Houston Gamblers | Montell Cozart
Memphis Showboats | Cole Kelley
Michigan Panthers | Eric Barriere
New Jersey Generals | De’Andre Johnson
New Orleans Breakers | Davis Cheek
Philadelphia Stars | Case Cookus
Pittsburgh Maulers | Chase Fourcade