The United Football League announced on Thursday that the first two rounds of the 2027 UFL Draft will air live on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, on NFL Network from the Ballpark Village in St. Louis, Missouri. This is the first time in league history that the draft will air live on television. The UFL Draft will also be available on the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers.
“As we look ahead to the 2027 season, bringing our Draft to St. Louis is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognize the city and its passionate Battlehawks faithful who have helped make this league what it is today,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon. “We wanted to create an experience that thanks fans for their support while bringing them closer to the game than ever before. By opening the doors to our Draft and putting our coaches and their decision-making on full display, we’re giving fans a chance to be part of an important moment for the league as we build on our momentum toward next season.”
The draft will be hosted by ESPN commentator Joe Tessitore, with ESPN’s Michelle Smallmon reporting from the Draft floor. Tessitore has been the play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s UFL coverage for the last two seasons. The UFL Supplemental draft will be available on the UFL’s social and website channels.
The 2027 UFL Draft will be 15 rounds, featuring 16 marquee selections televised during the one-hour live special airing on NFL Network at 8 p.m. The Columbus Aviators will hold the first overall pick, with the selection order determined by the reverse of the 2026 UFL standings.
The UFL Draft pool will consist of players eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft, regardless of whether they were picked or signed an NFL contract. Also, players from the 2023-2026 NFL Draft classes are also eligible for the draft. Teams can select players at any position, pass on a single-round selection, or opt out of the draft at any point.
Trades are only allowed for current UFL players or picks in this year’s draft. Future picks cannot be traded. UFL teams have a 64-man camp roster limit. Players selected in this draft or alumni currently in the NFL do not count against the roster limit until they sign a contract.
2027 UFL Draft Order
| Pick | Round 1 | Round 2 |
| 1. | Columbus Aviators | Columbus Aviators |
| 2. | Colorado | Rhode Island |
| 3. | Rhode Island | Dallas Renegades |
| 4. | Dallas Renegades | Colorado |
| 5. | St. Louis Battlehawks | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 6. | Orlando Storm | Orlando Storm |
| 7. | D.C. Defenders | D.C. Defenders |
| 8. | Louisville Kings | Louisville Kings |
