April 16, 2026
By Ryan Baker

It's still a few weeks out, but during Week 7 (June 5-6) the league will be presenting "Rivalry Weekend" to showcase some of the best head-to-head matchups the UFA has to offer. Whether it’s two rising contenders, or longtime feuding franchises, the first weekend of June promises some of the year’s most intense games.

New York Empire at Boston Glory
All-Time Record: Empire 8-3
Last Matchup: July 19, 2025 – Empire Win 22-21

“I always love playing Boston,” said Empire Head Coach Anthony Nuñez. “The rivalry has grown into one of those matchups that both teams genuinely circle on the calendar.”

If I could watch one game in the 2026 UFA season, it would be Boston versus New York: 2025 MVP Tobe Decraene faces MVP runner-up Daan De Marrée in a Belgian showdown, Orion Cable and Ben Jagt duel in the air, Jeff Babbitt plays his former team after winning a trophy with their division rival, and new two-way star Alex Atkins joins New York. There’s no shortage of narratives in this matchup.

“There's a lot of great storylines when we meet them,” said Boston’s Head Coach Sam Rosenthal.

The Empire looks ready to return to the top, but first, they must dethrone the defending champions, the Glory.

“These types of games usually come with playoff-like intensity,” said Nuñez. “Players feel it, coaches feel it, and the environment reflects that. These are the kinds of games that remind you why you love being part of this league.”

Carolina Flyers at DC Breeze
All-Time Record: Breeze 6-3
Last Matchup: May 10, 2025 – Breeze Win 20-18

DC and Carolina arguably have the UFA’s top interdivisional rivalry. Both are fighting for playoff spots, and this game will impact the standings. 

“Carolina is always a good team, so it’s fun to have them on our schedule,” said DC’s Head Coach Xavier Maxstadt. “They’re a team that tends to have a pretty similar construction to ours, so it’s fun to see how our players match up. I played for the Flyers and with some of their players in college, so it’s always good to see and reconnect with them.”

“DC is always a unique challenge for us,” said Carolina’s Head Coach Mike Avila. “Their style of play has challenged us in a way that other teams don’t.”

Madison Radicals at Chicago Union
All-Time Record: Radicals 22-11
Last Matchup: July 20, 2025 – Union Win 24-18

The first of three battles in one of the league’s longest-standing rivalries unfolds on Rivalry Weekend between the Union and the Radicals.

“We’re fortunate to play in a division full of storied franchises,” said Chicago’s Head Coach Charlie Furse.

Many players have played for both teams. Victor Luo returns to the Radicals after a year in Chicago, and Jake Rubin-Miller has anchored the Union’s defense for the last two seasons after starting in Madison.

“We had a great playoff game with Chicago in 2024, and with their team looking similar to that roster, it’s safe to say a lot of that roster will have a score to settle with us,” said Madison’s Head Coach Jacob Spiro.

“In the post-2022 version of the Union, it is a huge rivalry,” said Rubin-Miller. “They ended our season in 2024 in that double OT game, and that has stuck with a lot of us. Our games always get a bit chippy, but it’s never personal.”

Colorado Apex at Salt Lake Shred
All-Time Record: Shred 5-4
Last Matchup: July 11, 2025 – Shred Win 21-18

“The Colorado game is always circled on our calendar when the schedule is released,” said Salt Lake’s Head Coach Bryce Merrill. “Those games always bring extra juice.”

The Apex won the first three games of this rivalry, which motivated the Shred. After those losses, Salt Lake studied film, adopted Colorado’s defensive schemes, retooled its endzone offense, and changed its marking—all to beat the Apex.

“It’s a sign of respect for our rivals, but it’s also to make sure we don’t ever give up three in a row against those guys ever again,” said Merrill.

“Colorado big-brothered us a few times early on in our franchise,” said Shred’s Tony Mounga. “Recently, the roles have reversed, and I think we got them this year.”

“Them beating us in our first divisional championship back in 2022 is what makes it really feel like a rivalry to me,” said Shred’s Jordan Kerr. “It’s always easy to get fired up for our games against Colorado. Even if the series has been in our favor the past few years, every game is still so intense.”

Quinn Finer, one of Colorado’s best, has excelled against the Shred, tallying 31 scores in seven matchups. He must sustain this production if the Apex wants to even the series.

“They’ve beaten us pretty handily the last few years,” said Colorado’s Quinn Finer. “Our goal this year is to change that.”

Austin Sol at San Diego Growlers
All-Time Record: Growlers 3-2
Last Matchup: July 26, 2025 – Growlers Win 25-19

“The players will be hungry for that game after being knocked out of the playoffs by San Diego last year,” said Austin’s Co-Head Coach Joe Iannacone.

If I had to name a divisional matchup poised to become a top rivalry, it would be the Growlers and the Sol.

“We are pretty similar and match up very well with each other, which makes games close,” said Growlers’ Head Coach Kevin Stuart. “Add in that we were playing for playoff position, the regular season games mean so much.”

“We know that San Diego is always going to field a great team, and we know that getting a win against them is going to demand a great game from us, from top to bottom,” said Iannacone.

Both teams are perennial playoff contenders and have added or returned talent for 2026.

“It feels great to be back. I missed the Sol and especially the people it consists of,” said Sol’s Evan Swiatek. “I’m thrilled to be stepping back into a division that's more competitive than it was in '24. The brighter lights are what I look forward to most at this point.”

“Austin always brings a great battle,” said San Diego’s Matt Miller. “After a challenging May, it will be huge for our team to come away with a win against Austin. It is so fun being able to put up a high-scoring game against a high-powered offense. It will really come down to which offense cracks first.”

“I think the games will be close like they were last year,” said Stuart. It’ll come down to execution.”

Indianapolis AlleyCats at Minnesota Wind Chill
All-Time Record: Wind Chill 22-9
Last Matchup: June 21, 2025 – Wind Chill Win 31-14

“I think it’s a perfect story,” said Wind Chill’s Cameron Lacy. “James [Pollard] heading to Indy along with all the other talent they signed, should make for division championship contenders.”

If Indianapolis keeps its star additions, this divisional matchup could quickly develop into a great rivalry. But history favors Minnesota, which hasn’t lost to the AlleyCats since 2019.

“The matchup was fairly even through 2019,” said Indy’s Cameron Brock. “We have to establish that we can beat Minnesota before we can call it any sort of rivalry.”

Brock’s comment aligns with Indy’s Head Coach Nathan Bussberg’s mentality all season: that Indy has not earned anything. They are still the team that won just four games last season. Everything they want, they need to work for.

“Minnesota is in a class of its own,” said Bussberg. “I can see the piqued interest, but in all reality, they’ve had our number for the last seven years. Even with some of the outside pieces coming in, we’re a massive underdog in this game.”

Regardless, this year’s Indy-Minnesota games will be defensive showcases. Both teams feature multiple All-Defense honorees, promising some of the season's most physical play.

“Both teams have a lot to prove this year,” said Lacy. “Our D-Line is nasty this year. Teams have seen us play good defense, but it’s even more intense this year. We’re ready to challenge every decision Indy makes on the field.”

“There’s an added level of excitement surrounding the matchup with Indy this year based on the number of additions they made in the offseason,” said Minnesota’s Head Coach Ben Feldman.

Boston Glory at Philadelphia Phoenix
All-Time Record: Glory 8-2
Last Matchup: July 11, 2025 – Glory Win 15-14

One of the less storied divisional matchups takes place as Boston faces the Phoenix on the tail end of their doubleheader. While Boston has dominated, Philly nearly upset them in their last encounter.

“It would feel good to knock them off. We are the only team in the league that has three chances to do it,” said Philly’s Brandon Pastor.

“Both teams are entrenched in their respective cities’ sports culture,” said Philly’s Assistant Coach Adam Callaghan. “That usually leads to heated games when the two of us meet on the field. There’s an extra level of familiarity between these teams, which leads to added fire from both sides. There’s no reason this team can’t execute and give the defending champs a good game.”

Colorado Apex at Oakland Spiders
All-Time Record: Apex 4-3
Last Matchup: Spiders Win 23-14

“Colorado, that's a big one,” said Spiders’ Head Coach Liam Kreiss. “We want that one badly. It’s definitely a team that we pay a lot of attention to.”

Tides may be turning in this divisional rivalry, as the Spiders have taken the last three of four games against Colorado, including a dismantling in the playoffs last year. Even with that huge win, Kreiss knows that Colorado is going to come out swinging in this matchup.

“I'm not worried that Colorado is not going to be bringing their best against us,” said Kreiss. “Every team in the West could win on any given day, and we don't want to be complacent at all.”