The XFL 🏈
We’re pumped about the big announcements we have coming up.
I’m a passionate dude and I’ll tell you guys, this is one passionate organization.
Everyone buying into the dream.
Very cool (and motivating) to feel the energy & mana.
~dj
@DanyGarciaCo
@XFL2023 twitter.com/xfl2023/status…
The Super Bowl may just be over but there is exciting news for football fans as the Xtreme Football League (XFL) makes a comeback in 2023. The XFL is a minor football league where 8 teams will compete throughout 43 games, including playoffs and a finale. The XFL 2023 is scheduled to start on February 18 and the final championship game will take place on May 13.
The XFL was originally started in 2020 but got canceled midway due to the pandemic and thereafter the XFL parent company also declared bankruptcy. The XFL got revamped for a return in 2023 after Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia assumed ownership of the league.
The XFL has a 10 week regular season which will be followed by two playoff games and one Championship game. The 8 teams are divided into two divisions of four (the South Division and the North Division). After almost two and a half years in development the XFL plans to be a regular football league which will deliver pro football games in the NFL offseason. The league will help develop players and take American football towards a new direction along with the NFL.
The XFL currently consists of 8 teams. The teams are divided into two divisions. Each team has to play ten games in the regular season with no bye weeks. The teams for XFL 2023 include:
| Club | City | Stadium | Surface | Head coach |
| South Division | ||||
| Arlington Renegades | Arlington, Texas | Choctaw Stadium | Grass | Bob Stoops |
| Houston Roughnecks | Houston, Texas | TDECU Stadium | Turf | Wade Phillips |
| Orlando Guardians | Orlando, Florida | Camping World Stadium | Turf | Terrell Buckley |
| San Antonio Brahmas | San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome | Turf | Hines Ward |
| North Division | ||||
| DC Defenders | Washington, D.C. | Audi Field | Grass | Reggie Barlow |
| Seattle Sea Dragons | Seattle, Washington | Lumen Field | Turf | Jim Haslett |
| St. Louis BattleHawks | St. Louis, Missouri | The Dome at America's Center | Turf | Anthony Becht |
| Vegas Vipers | Las Vegas, Nevada | Cashman Field | Grass | Rod Woodson |
There will be a total of 43 games in the XFL where each team will play a total of 10 regular season games. There will be two playoff games followed by a final between two division winners.
Here is the schedule for XFL 2023:
Vegas Vipers vs. Arlington Renegades
Orlando Guardians vs. Houston Roughnecks
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. DC Defenders
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
DC Defenders vs. Vegas Vipers
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Orlando Guardians
Arlington Renegades vs. Houston Roughnecks
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. Vegas Vipers
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders
Orlando Guardians vs. Arlington Renegades
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Houston Roughnecks
Houston Roughnecks vs. Orlando Guardians
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Arlington Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Vegas Vipers vs. DC Defenders
Houston Roughnecks vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
DC Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Orlando Guardians vs. Vegas Vipers
Arlington Renegades vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. Orlando Guardians
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Vegas Vipers
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Arlington Renegades
Houston Roughnecks vs. DC Defenders
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. Arlington Renegades
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Vegas Vipers
DC Defenders vs. Orlando Guardians
Vegas Vipers vs.St. Louis Battlehawks
Arlington Renegades vs. Orlando Guardians
Houston Roughnecks vs. San Antonio Brahmas
DC Defenders vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Vegas Vipers vs. Houston Roughnecks
Orlando Guardians vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Arlington Renegades vs. DC Defenders
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Orlando Guardians vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
DC Defenders vs, San Antonio Brahmas
Houston Roughnecks vs. Arlington Renegades
Vegas Vipers vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Scroll down for the complete SFL 2023 TV Schedule
The XFL roster has been finalized as a 51 man squad roster. The training camp for the XFL started with 80 players on each squad which then reduced gradually, finally standing at 51 players.
There were two sets of drafts for XFL 2023. The Draft included players from the NFL season’s practice squads and college players who could not make it to the NFL too. The XFL includes a mix of players from the NFL and also players who aim to make it to the NFL. The XFL can be a league which helps launch players into the NFL and also provide a platform for NFL players who are on the verge of retirement but still want to play professional football.
Some of the most notable former NFL players in XFL 2023 include:
Geronimo Allison (Vegas) - WR
Vic Beasley (Vegas) - LB
Martavis Bryant (Vegas) - WR
Ben DiNucci (Seattle) - QB
Matt Elam (Orlando) - DB
Josh Gordon (Seattle) - WR
Will Hill (Arlington) - DB
Marquette King (Arlington) - P
Paxton Lynch (Orlando) - QB
A.J. McCarron (St. Louis) - QB
Caraun Reid (D.C.) - DL
Eli Rogers (Orlando) - WR
Kyle Sloter (Arlington) - QB
Brad Wing (San Antonio) - P
The rules for XFL are different from what NFL fans are accustomed to. There are a few unique rules which make the XFL exciting and different from NFL or even the USFL. The XFL rules makes the game faster paced and very action oriented.
Here are some of the most important rules of the XFL 2023:
The XFL will operate with a 35-second play clock, which begins following the previous play
Clock will start following incomplete passes and out of bounds plays prior to two-minute warning of either half
Clock will stop following first downs after a two-minute warning of either half.
The first and second half will be split by a 10-minute halftime
Three timeouts per team per half
Teams begin play five yards apart - kicking team at opponent’s 35-yard line and return team at own 30-yard line
Teams will have two options to keep the ball after scoring:
Traditional onside kick (any time during game)
4th and 15 conversion from own 25-yard line (4th quarter only)
If a team completes a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, that team may throw a second forward pass, as long as the ball has not crossed the line of scrimmage
Once the ball has passed the line of scrimmage, no forward passes are permitted
The first pass may fall incomplete rather than becoming a fumbled lateral.
Teams will have three run/pass only options for extra points following a touchdown
2-yard line = one point; 5-yard line = two points; 10-yard line = three points
Defense awarded same number of points for a touchdown
A minimum of three plays from an opponent’s 5-yard line.
Consists of alternating attempts from opponent’s 5-yard line
Three attempts per team (two points per score) or until winner is decided
Coaches in the XFL are provided with one challenge per game called the ‘golden challenge’. This presents the coach the opportunity to review penalties or any plays.
Centralized replay with all plays subject to review from a Replay Official
Replay may correct errors on non-reviewable plays, player safety at any point during the game, and any issue in the last five minutes of regulation plus overtime
Final rulings will be made by designated members of the officiating department in a central location
Read more about the unique rules of the XFL 2023 by clicking here
All jerseys in the XFL are provided by the league itself as the XFL is in partnership with Under Armour. As official uniform partners of the XFL, Under Armour unveiled the jerseys for each team in December 2022 itself. Under Armour is not only providing jerseys for each team but also provide base layer, sideline and even training apparel.
Each team identity is portrayed in the unique team jerseys. However, each jersey features a “Blood, Sweat, Respect” quote, which is a mantra/message from the XFL owners to each team member.
The XFL jerseys are based on Under Armour’s Armour Grid 2 football jersey. The textile is made to be durable, well ventilated and well fitting. There are no unnecessary areas of stretchy fabric which makes the jerseys more comfortable for play.
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| February 18 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Vegas Vipers | Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium | ABC |
| 8:30 p.m. ET | Orlando Guardians | Houston Roughnecks | TDECU Stadium | ESPN and FX | |
| February 19 | 3:00 p.m. ET | St. Louis Battlehawks | San Antonio Brahmas | Alamodome | ABC |
| 8:00 p.m. ET | Seattle Sea Dragons | DC Defenders | Audi Field | ESPN |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| February 23 | 9:00 p.m. ET | St. Louis Battlehawks | Seattle Sea Dragons | Lumen Field | FX |
| February 25 | 7:00 p.m. ET | DC Defenders | Vegas Vipers | Cashman Field | |
| February 26 | 4:00 p.m. ET | San Antonio Brahmas | Orlando Guardians | Camping World Stadium | ESPN |
| 7:00 p.m. ET | Arlington Renegades | Houston Roughnecks | TDECU Stadium | ESPN2 |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| March 4 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Seattle Sea Dragons | Vegas Vipers | Cashman Field | FX |
| March 5 | 1:00 p.m. ET | St. Louis Battlehawks | DC Defenders | Audi Field | |
| 4:00 p.m. ET | Orlando Guardians | Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium | ||
| 8:00 p.m. ET | San Antonio Brahmas | Houston Roughnecks | TDECU Stadium | ESPN2 |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| March 11 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Houston Roughnecks | Orlando Guardians | Camping World Stadium | FX |
| 10:00 p.m. ET | San Antonio Brahmas | Seattle Sea Dragons | Lumen Field | ||
| March 12 | 4:00 p.m. ET | Arlington Renegades | St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America's Center | ESPN2 |
| 7:00 p.m. ET | Vegas Vipers | DC Defenders | Audi Field |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| March 16 | 9:00 p.m. ET | Houston Roughnecks | Seattle Sea Dragons | Lumen Field | FX |
| March 18 | 7:00 p.m. ET | DC Defenders | St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America's Center | |
| 10:00 p.m. ET | Orlando Guardians | Vegas Vipers | Cashman Field | ||
| March 19 | 10:00 p.m. ET | Arlington Renegades | San Antonio Brahmas | Alamodome | ESPN2 |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| March 25 | 1:30 p.m. ET | Seattle Sea Dragons | Orlando Guardians | Camping World Stadium | ESPN |
| 7:00 p.m. ET | St. Louis Battlehawks | Vegas Vipers | Cashman Field | FX | |
| March 26 | 3:00 p.m. ET | San Antonio Brahmas | Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium | ABC |
| March 27 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Houston Roughnecks | DC Defenders | Audi Field | FX |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| March 31 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Seattle Sea Dragons | Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium | FX |
| April 1 | 3:00 p.m. ET | St. Louis Battlehawks | Houston Roughnecks | TDECU Stadium | ESPN2 |
| 6:00 p.m. ET | San Antonio Brahmas | Vegas Vipers | Cashman Field | ESPN | |
| April 2 | 7:00 p.m. ET | DC Defenders | Orlando Guardians | Camping World Stadium | FX |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| April 8 | 1:00 p.m. ET | Vegas Vipers | St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America's Center | ESPN |
| 4:00 p.m. ET | Arlington Renegades | Orlando Guardians | Camping World Stadium | ||
| April 9 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Houston Roughnecks | San Antonio Brahmas | Alamodome | ABC |
| 7:00 p.m. ET | DC Defenders | Seattle Sea Dragons | Lumen Field | ESPN2 |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| April 15 | 12:30 p.m. ET | Vegas Vipers | Houston Roughnecks | TDECU Stadium | ABC |
| 7:00 p.m. ET | Orlando Guardians | San Antonio Brahmas | Alamodome | ESPN2 | |
| April 16 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Arlington Renegades | DC Defenders | Audi Field | ESPN |
| 3:00 p.m. ET | Seattle Sea Dragons | St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America's Center |
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| April 22 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Orlando Guardians | St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America's Center | ESPN |
| 3:00 p.m. ET | DC Defenders | San Antonio Brahmas | Alamodome | ABC | |
| April 23 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Houston Roughnecks | Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium | ESPN |
| 9:00 p.m. ET | Vegas Vipers | Seattle Sea Dragons | Lumen Field | ESPN2 |
| Semifinals | |||||
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| April 29 | 7:00 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD | TBD | ESPN2 |
| April 30 | 3:00 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD | TBD | ESPN |
| Championship | |||||
| Date | Time | Away team | Home team | Stadium | Broadcast |
| May 13 | 3:00 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD | TBD | ABC |
There will be a total of 43 games played in XFL 2023. This includes 40 regular season games and 3 playoff games (2 semi-final games and 1 final game).
All XFL games will be officially televised on either the ESPN family of networks or FX. The network and the number of games they will air during the 2023 XFL season are listed below. FX: 15 ESPN: 12 ESPN2: 10 ABC: 7
XFL stands for Xtreme Football League which was started in 2020 by WWE owner Vince McMahon. The XFL is currently owned by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia.
The lower age limit for XFL players is 18, and no player below the age of 18 is eligible to play in the XFL. There is no upper age limit in the XFL.
The XFL have arranged deals with agents where participants would receive $5,000 weekly plus a $1,000 incentive for each victory. The typical player would be expected to make around $60,000 from training camp till the end of the season, including additional potential bonuses. The XFL is also paying for lodging and two meals a day throughout the season, and it estimated the value of its benefits package at an extra $20,000 per player.
