The United Football League holds its draft on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, in St. Louis. The league calls it the 2027 UFL Draft because it fills rosters for next season. The Columbus Aviators pick first. Here is how the draft works, who is eligible, and how to watch it.
Key takeaways
- The draft is Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, at Ballpark Village in St. Louis, and the league says the event is free and open to the public.
- It has 15 rounds. Rounds 1 and 2 (16 picks) air live on NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET.
- Draft order is the reverse of the 2026 standings, and the Columbus Aviators hold the No. 1 pick.
- Teams can pick any position, pass on a round or opt out at any point.
- Diego Pavia has said he plans to play in the UFL, but we have not seen an official statement on how he would enter.
When and where is the UFL draft?
The league says all eight head coaches will gather to conduct the draft on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Ballpark Village in St. Louis, next to Busch Stadium. Fans can attend the two-hour event free of charge. The league also scheduled two showcases before the draft, in Orlando on November 8 and Louisville on November 15, according to its announcement of October 15.
How does the UFL draft work?
| Detail | How it works |
|---|---|
| Rounds | 15 rounds in total, with Rounds 1 and 2 on the first night |
| Time per pick | Three minutes during the televised portion |
| Positions | Teams can pick any position, pass on a round, or opt out at any point |
| Explaining picks | For the first time, coaches explain their selections in real time as they make them |
| Trades | Limited to current UFL players or picks in this year’s draft, so future picks cannot be traded |
| Roster size | Camp roster limit is 64 players |
Who picks first in the UFL draft?
The Columbus Aviators hold the first overall pick. The league says the selection order is the reverse of the 2026 standings, and Colorado, Dallas and Rhode Island rotate their positions based on tie-breakers because they finished with the same record. We could not find an explanation of exactly how Columbus ended up with No. 1 beyond the standings rule, so we are not describing it as a lottery.
Who is eligible to be drafted?
The pool includes recent NFL draft rookies and certain players from recent NFL draft classes who have been on an NFL roster since June 13, 2026, the date of the United Bowl, according to the league’s announcement. The league’s Draft Central page and its announcement word the class years slightly differently, so check theufl.com for the exact eligibility list. This is separate from the league’s earlier process: for the 2026 season, the UFL held a three-part process in January that included a quarterback draft, regional college allocation and a main draft.
How can you watch the UFL draft?
Rounds 1 and 2 air live on NFL Network starting at 8 p.m. ET as a one-hour special. They are also available on the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers. Joe Tessitore hosts and Michelle Smallmon reports from the draft floor, per the announcement. The remaining rounds are listed on the league’s Draft Central page.
What about Diego Pavia?
Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback, said on October 21 that he plans to join the UFL and that his agent and the league were negotiating. Pro Football Talk noted that the story does not say whether he will enter the draft or sign another way. Read our full report on Diego Pavia and the UFL, and for how NFL roster moves work in the meantime, see how NFL waivers and practice squads work.
FAQ
When is the UFL draft? Wednesday, November 18, 2026, in St. Louis.
Who has the first pick? The Columbus Aviators.
How many rounds are there? Fifteen.
What channel is the UFL draft on? NFL Network carries Rounds 1 and 2 live at 8 p.m. ET, and they are also on the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers.
For more, visit our Sports section.
Details are from the UFL’s Draft Central page, its October 15 announcement, and its January 2026 selection-process announcement. The Pavia details are from Pro Football Talk. Check the league for final times and rules.
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