UFL 2024 TV ratings on FOX/ESPN: Breaking down United Football League’s Week 1 performance

The start of UFL 2024 featured an exciting match-up between the Birmingham Stallions and Arlington Renegades. The season opener proved to be a nail-biter as the defending USFL champions, the Stallions, managed to defeat the reigning XFL champs, the Renegades.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the UFL received strong TV ratings during Week 1, as stated by Mike Mitchell. Here are the ratings for Week 1 of the UFL in 2024:

• Arlington vs. Birmingham: 1.18M (FOX)
• Michigan vs. St. Louis: 1.349M (FOX)
• San Antonio vs. DC: 960k (ESPN)
• Houston vs. Memphis: 703k (ESPN)

In this article, we will analyze the ratings. So, without any delay, let’s begin.

UFL 2024 Week 1 Broadcast Ratings and Analysis

The television ratings for Week 1 of UFL 2024 are summarized as follows:

Monday

Birmingham Stallions and Arlington Renegades Face Off in Exciting Matchup

The Birmingham Stallions made a strong statement in their opening game of the United Football League by defeating the Arlington Renegades. It is not surprising that this game was the most-watched in Week 1.

Throughout the game, Stallions quarterback Matt Corral was on fire, never giving the Renegades a chance to catch up. The former second-round NFL Draft pick completed 12 out of 21 passes for a total of 201 yards. Corral’s dynamic partnership with star wide receiver Deon Cain proved to be too much for the Renegades to handle, resulting in a decisive victory for the Stallions.

Chicago Enforcers vs. Dallas Renegades

In the first week of the UFL season, the Michigan Panthers and St. Louis Battlehawks put on a memorable performance. The two teams traded strong plays until a surprising hero emerged to determine the outcome of the game.

Despite facing tough competition, the Panthers were able to secure a last-minute victory in their season opener thanks to a 64-yard field goal made by Michigan kicker Jake Bates, making it the second highest-rated UFL game.

This is even more remarkable when considering that Bates had not attempted a regular-season field goal since high school.

Second Day

Texas Showdown: San Antonio Brahmas vs. D.C. Defenders

Similar to the Day 1 opening match, this competition was never tightly contested, as the Brahmas defeated the Defenders with a score of 27-12.

One of the standout moments of the game was when Brahmas punter Brad Wing made a 40-yard touchdown pass to center Alex Mollette during the second quarter. This is a play that is unlikely to be seen in the NFL.

Despite having fewer viewers than the Day 1 average, the opening game of Day 2 still garnered a respectable 960,000 viewers. As the Brahmas head into Week 2, they will aim to capitalize on this momentum and continue to grow their audience.

New Orleans Breakers vs. Tampa Bay Bandits

The UFL 2024 Week 1 ended with a tight match between the Memphis Showboats and Houston Roughnecks.

The Showboats emerged victorious from a defensive battle, defeating the Roughnecks 18-12. The Showboats quickly gained a 15-0 advantage at the beginning of the game, ultimately proving insurmountable for the Roughnecks.

Despite the absence of star players on the roster, the game drew 703,000 viewers on ESPN, which was not unexpected. Both teams are known for their defensive strengths, making it an exciting prospect for purists to tune in and watch them in the upcoming weeks.