April 21, 2026
By Ryan Baker
The 2026 UFA season has finally arrived, and players will aim to make an immediate impact and build momentum for their teams. With major player moves and highly touted talent landing in new cities, these changes are expected to influence team performance early. Here are seven players to watch for in the opening weekend of the UFA:
Allan Laviolette, Carolina Flyers
With back-to-back First Team All-UFA selections, Allan Laviolette is primed to be an MVP frontrunner in 2026. Starting off this year’s campaign strong for Laviolette against the San Diego Growlers, after this same matchup last season decided Carolina’s fate, will be pivotal. In last year’s double OT matchup, Laviolette posted nine assists and two goals, which kept the Flyers within striking distance. A similar performance will be necessary for them to get their revenge, especially with some of their talent out for Week 1.
Travis Dunn, San Diego Growlers
Similar to Laviolette, Travis Dunn is a back-to-back Second Team All-UFA selection, who also carried his team in the matchup between San Diego and Carolina last year. His seven assists, one goal, and one block performance was the catalyst of that matchup, and had Carolina struggling to keep up with him. Dunn has one of the highest frisbee IQs in the league, and will want to kick off his 2026 campaign with a win, but also give him a push towards breaking that First-Team All-UFA barrier.
Tobe Decraene, Boston Glory
How does last year’s MVP kick off his 2026 campaign? Coming off of one of the best collective performances at Championship Weekend that propelled the Glory to take home the trophy, Tobe Decraene is going to have hefty expectations in Week 1 against the DC Breeze. Decraene saw success last year against DC, scoring 17 times in four games, and will look to start his 2026 season right where he left off. The most interesting facet of Decraene in this matchup is where he will be utilized most. With success both handling the disc and in the downfield space, Head Coach Sam Rosenthal might have Decraene in various spots throughout the game, so the Breeze can’t get comfortable.
Rowan McDonnell, Boston Glory
After months of speculation, the answer is here. Rowan McDonnell, the 2018 MVP and UFA legend, will play in 2026. He joins defending champion Boston Glory in Week 1 against his former team, the DC Breeze, while sharing the field with fellow MVPs Tobe Decraene and Jeff Babbitt, McDonnell is DC's leader in nearly every statistic, making this reunion with Decraene and their matchup against DC a central story as the season opens. His late entrance poses lineup questions, but we could see three former MVPs together.
Wiebe van den Brink, DC Breeze
One of the most anticipated rookies, Wiebe van den Brink, debuts against the Glory. At various points, he will likely match up with Jeff Babbitt, Tobe Decraene, and Rowan McDonnell—a monstrous task for anyone, especially a rookie. Originally from the Netherlands and the Utregse Frisbee Organisatie (UFO), observe how his athleticism and speed translate to the larger UFA field.
Walker Frankenburg, Oakland Spiders (Pictured)
Last year, Walker Frankeburg came close to a 40-40 season, finishing just one assist and two goals short, and earned First Team All-UFA honors. This year, he gets sophomore seasons from Leo Gordon and Adam Rees, who were both instrumental to Oakland’s success in 2025, and welcomes back Dexter Clyburn, the 2025 Callahan winner, who returns to the Spiders after a two-year break. Frankeburg starts the season against the Oregon Steel, setting up an early opportunity to showcase his potential MVP candidacy for 2026. His two-way skills make him one of the most threatening players in the league, and he remains the cornerstone of Oakland’s rising team.
Evan Swiatek, Austin Sol
Evan Swiatek, the second-leading scorer in Austin Sol history, returns to the UFA field after a one-year hiatus. Since joining the Sol in 2021, Evan Swiatek has scored 38 goals in each of his four seasons, maxing out at 45 in 2022. He rejoins Duncan Fitzgerald and Matt Armour, key teammates who contributed to Austin’s Championship Weekend appearance in 2023. Together, their performances set the stage as the Sol open the season with their hardest matchup against the Atlanta Hustle, a test for Swiatek as he adjusts after his hiatus and for the reunited trio looking to replicate their past successes. Swiatek is familiar with success against the Hustle, posting 40 scores in six career matchups.
