The United States Football League (USFL) kicked off its second season on April 15, 2023. Every game will air nationally on the networks and digital platforms of FOX Sports and NBC Sports, with 43 matchups taking place between April and July.
Spectrum is the best TV provider for watching the 2023 USFL season. Its primary base plan comes with every USFL channel and includes a free 12-month subscription to Peacock Premium Monthly.
Of course, a cable TV plan isn’t for everyone—especially for watching a four-month-long sports league. Keep scrolling to discover more viewing options, including ways to watch the USFL for free.
What channels show USFL games?
Football fans looking to watch the USFL’s second season will benefit from the league’s straightforward broadcast plan. FOX and NBC will televise several games, with other matchups airing on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and USA Network. Every game on NBC and USA Network will also stream live on Peacock.
Here’s a list of every USFL channel and the number of live games each network is showing:
- FOX (18)
- FS1 (7)
- NBC/Peacock (11)
- USA Network/Peacock (7)
USFL schedule: key events and channels
The USFL’s 43-game schedule includes regular-season and postseason games. All eight teams will play 10 games, with the top two teams from each division competing in a semifinal match. The divisional winners will face off in the USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in early July.
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV providers for USFL games
- Editor’s choice: Spectrum ($69.99–$74.99/mo.)
- Best value: Sling TV ($40.00–$55.00/mo.)
- Live NBC Sports coverage: Peacock ($5.99–$11.99/mo. or $59.99–$119.99/yr.)
- Cheapest: OTA antenna ($20.00–$60.00 one-time purchase)
Editor’s choice: Spectrum
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Every USFL channel
- 12 mos. of Peacock Premium included
- Many channel add-on options
Cons
- Limited nationwide availability
- Smaller channel counts compared to other cable or satellite providers
Through Spectrum’s TV Select Signature plan, you’ll get every channel needed to watch the USFL. You’ll also receive 12 months of Peacock Premium for free. That ensures you’ll have the most well-rounded USFL coverage in a single monthly subscription, something only Xfinity can similarly offer.
With the TV Select Signature plan, you’ll get over 150 channels with premium add-ons like Max™ and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® available at competitive rates. That’s a lot of entertainment options for when games aren’t taking place. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any TV contracts that are common from cable and satellite providers.
To save the most money with Spectrum, you’ll also want to check out its TV and internet bundles. After all, you’ll need a reliable internet connection to take advantage of that free Peacock subscription.
Best value: Sling TV
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Low pricing
- No contracts
- Multiple add-on options
Cons
- Poor local channel coverage
- Weak DVR storage options
If you don’t mind cutting the cord, Sling TV offers the best value when streaming USFL games. Its Sling Blue plan ($40 a month) will give you 40 channels, including FS1 and USA Network.
The biggest flaw with Sling TV is that local channels like FOX and NBC are only available in select markets. Because of this, we recommend pairing the streaming service with a digital antenna to receive the most local coverage. Fortunately, there’s a Sling TV deal where you can get a free antenna when prepaying for three months of service.
By signing up for Sling Blue and getting an antenna to catch FOX and NBC over the air, you’ll have every USFL game at your fingertips. That’s a cord-cutting touchdown if we’ve ever seen one.
Live NBC Sports coverage: Peacock
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Due to streaming rights, a small amount of programming will still contain ads (Peacock channels, events, and a few shows and movies).
Pros
- Every live USFL broadcast from NBC and USA Network
- Inexpensive pricing
Cons
- Limited original content
- Confusing interface
Peacock offers the best way to watch NBC Sports’ USFL coverage. During the 2023 season, Peacock will stream every USFL matchup that airs on NBC and USA Network—giving you 18 live games for as low as $5.99 a month. You’ll also get tons of other original content and live sports to keep you busy on non-USFL game days.
Apart from USFL coverage, Peacock streams live Premier League, WWE, and IndyCar events. You’ll also be able to watch every Sunday Night Football game once the NFL returns in the fall.
If you already have access to your local NBC network, Peacock is still handy for those USA Network games. But Sling TV with a digital antenna might be the better route for cord-cutters who also want FS1.
Looking to stream more football coverage? Check out our Best Streaming Services for Sports guide to find the best ways to watch your favorite sports leagues.
Cheapest: Over-the-air (OTA) antenna
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Low, one-time price
- Local TV coverage
Cons
- No DVR included
- No out-of-market coverage
You’ll notice that we regularly recommend a digital antenna as a cheap option for watching sports year-round. It’s a one-time purchase that grants you access to several major league sports, including USFL, XFL, NFL, and college football games.
A high-quality antenna usually costs $20–$60 and easily connects to your smart TV for complete local coverage. What this coverage entails is based entirely on your location, so we recommend entering your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map to see what channels are in range for you.
The Mohu Leaf 50 is one of our favorite antennas because it has a 60-mile range. That should allow most users to pick up their local FOX and NBC stations for USFL coverage. Plus, the Mohu Leaf 50 is 4K ready and includes amplified technology to give you the highest quality image and reception.
How to watch the USFL for free
Because the USFL airs on both local networks and basic cable channels, there aren’t any options for watching every live USFL game for free. You’ll need a TV subscription to access the games that FS1 and USA Network televise.
Fortunately, you can still catch many USFL games for free through your local FOX and NBC networks. To do this, though, you’ll need to connect a digital antenna to your smart TV. Sure, an antenna is not free. But once you make the one-time purchase, you’ll also have NFL, MLB, and NBA games at your fingertips.
We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 antenna because its 60-mile range is strong enough to pick up most local channels. It even has 4K capabilities, which is important as many leagues begin to broadcast in higher resolutions.
Pro tip: You can stream free replays of the USFL games that air on FOX Sports channels through Tubi. The in-season docuseries United by Football: A Season in the USFL is also available to stream on demand via the free, ad-supported streaming service.
How to watch the USFL FAQ
Where can I stream USFL games for free?
You won’t be able to stream any live USFL games for free, but Tubi provides free on-demand access to FOX Sports’ USFL broadcasts. Games usually appear on the service within 24 hours of their end time.
Who will play in the 2023 USFL?
The 2023 USFL season features eight teams broken up into two divisions. The North Division consists of the Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers, while the South Division includes the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, Memphis Showboats, and New Orleans Breakers.
Following the 2022 season, the Showboats joined the league—replacing the Tampa Bay Bandits, who went on hiatus.
Is the USFL Draft televised?
No, the 2023 USFL College Draft didn’t air on TV when it took place in late February. Instead, the league’s social media channels provided real-time draft coverage.
Is the USFL the same as the XFL?
No, the USFL and the XFL are separate professional American football leagues. The Spring League CEO Brian Woods started the 2022 version of the USFL, while the XFL resumed in 2023 under the new ownership of Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale.
Methodology
Our football experts researched the best ways to watch the USFL by comparing the plans, prices, and USFL coverage of 10 of the best TV providers. We examined channel lineups, service availability, and additional features—like special deals and DVR capabilities—to determine our recommendations.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Spectrum TV Select Signature: Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV Select Signature promotion price is $64.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees, and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $23.20/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service and location. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
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