XFL schedule Week 1: What football games are on today? TV channels, times, scores
soccer is back Yes, the NFL season is over, but the XFL will begin regular season play this weekend after being restarted by an ownership group led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The football leagues have struggled to hold their own this spring but there is optimism regarding the league’s recent relaunch, first started by Vince McMahon.
Eight teams will compete, with former NFL players and standout college players on each roster. All eight teams will be in action for the first weekend of the season, giving football fans looking to fill the void left by the NFL plenty to see.
MORE: Watch XFL Games Live With fuboTV (Free Trial)
Below is a full rundown of the XFL Week 1 schedule.
XFL Schedule Week 1: What games are on today?
Here’s the full schedule for the first week of the USFL season, including final scores and how to watch each game live.
Saturday February 18th
| Match | Kick off time (ET) | TV channel |
| Vegas Vipers vs. Arlington Renegades | 3 pm | ABC |
| Orlando Guardians vs. Houston Roughnecks | 8:30 p.m | ESPN, FX |
Sunday February 19th
| Match | Kick off time (ET) | TV channel |
| St. Louis Battlehawks vs. San Antonio Brahmas | 3 pm | ABC |
| Seattle Sea Dragons vs. DC Defenders | 8 p.m | ESPN |
Saturday XFL Games TV Channel, Live Streams
Vipers vs. Renegades
The Vipers may be the XFL’s best looking team visually, but they also have tons of talent.
With former Packers backup Brett Hundley and AAF star Luis Perez in the quarterback room, as well as formidable former NFL receivers Martavis Bryant and Geronimo Allison, Vegas will have an offense to watch. On the defensive side, having Rod Woodson as Hall of Fame head coach doesn’t hurt.
MORE: XFL 2023 roster: Full draft results, team-by-team picks for new football league
The Renegades, led by longtime Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, don’t have that many recognizable names. Former NFL preseason favorite Kyle Sloter could be Arlington’s quarterback, and they’ll be counting on Stoops’ coaching keenness to overcome a potential talent disadvantage.
Former Ravens safety Will Hill and former Raiders punter Marquette King are among the Renegades’ notable names.
Guard against ruffians
The Guardians have one of the most interesting quarterback situations in the league with 2016 Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch and former Florida State standout Deondre Francois. Orlando also has an NFL wide receiver in Cody Latimer, and his punter is the brother of the Chiefs’ Tommy Townsend. Will the defense have enough to win games?
MORE: XFL Team Names 2023: Logos, Cities, More Info on Football League Relaunch
The Roughnecks are on the low end of most XFL predictions, especially given their uncertain quarterback position. Cole McDonald and Brandon Silvers lead a group that isn’t the most inspiring, despite Silvers having plenty of spring football experience.
Still, with Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as head coach in Houston, the Roughnecks could be a better watch than the Texans.
Battlehawks versus Brahmas
The Battlehawks have some of the best chances of winning the XFL with a lot of faith being placed in QB AJ McCarron. After a great career in Alabama, he spent time in the NFL; He started and nearly won a playoff game for the Bengals. He will be the veteran leader of this St. Louis team, which has an inexperienced coach in former NFL tight end Anthony Becht but NFL veterans Bruce Gradkowski and Ricky Proehl on the team.
MORE: XFL roster 2023: The former NFL players you’ll recognize, from AJ McCarron to Martavis Bryant
It should be fun to watch the Brahmas. San Antonio is a fun football market, and former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward reigns supreme.
There are a few notable names on the list, including former Wisconsin and Notre Dame QB Jack Coan and former NFL running back Kalen Ballage, although the defense doesn’t enjoy as much notoriety as other teams.
Sea Dragons vs. Defenders
Former Saints head coach Jim Haslett brings his Sea Dragons to the district to complete the Week 1 schedule. Former Cowboys QB Ben DiNucci could make Seattle an interesting team, and the Sea Dragons have one of the best talents in the league in wide receiver Josh Gordon. There are NFL roots up and down the roster as well as the coaching staff.
The Defenders may not be the XFL’s best team, but they may have one of the most exciting quarterback rooms in the league.
D’Eriq King and Eric Dungey both stood out in the ACC as dual threats and can breathe life into any offense, while Jordan Ta’amu has already played well in the spring leagues and spent some time behind Patrick Mahomes deep in the Chiefs chart. We’ll see if the Defenders can overtake the Commanders as DC’s most functional football team.