March 5, 2026
By Sam Weiger
The 13 UFA "Game Of The Week" feature the league’s best in a series of must-watch matchups. These marquee events will be broadcast by WatchUFA as primetime games, ensuring every storyline is captured with in-depth insight.
Week 1: DC Breeze at Boston Glory | Saturday, April 25
One Big Thing to Watch: The beginning of the Xavier Maxstadt era
The DC coaching carousel continues as Xavier Maxstadt steps in as the Breeze’s third head coach since 2023.
Unlike his predecessors, Maxstadt brings five years of UFA playing experience to the sideline—including two seasons in DC. We’ve witnessed a successful league trend where former players like Ben Feldman and Steven Naji have leveraged their on-field perspective to excel in tactical, in-game adjustments.
Having alternated between O-line and D-line during his playing career, Maxstadt should be ready for anything. While the Breeze saw frequent line changes under previous leadership, those moves often felt reactive; With his playing experience, Maxstadt’s approach could be more intentional.
This season opener also marks the high-profile debut of Sean Mott in a Breeze uniform. While Mott is expected to be a lock for the O-line, his specific role within Maxstadt’s new system remains a wildcard.
Week 2: Salt Lake Shred at Oakland Spiders | Saturday, May 2
One Big Thing to Watch: Oakland’s O-line being patient in crunch time
History shows that when the Shred and Spiders meet, the offenses decide the outcome—in all four previous matchups, at least one team hit the 25-goal mark. Oakland has never defeated Salt Lake, but they’re getting closer, having lost two one-goal heartbreakers to Salt Lake last year. Late-game nerves and impatience have kept them out of the win column.
This is arguably Oakland’s best chance to topple the Shred. With home-field advantage and no doubleheader fatigue, the Spiders could turn this game into a shootout. However, to win a close one, they must avoid the panicked hucks and forced passes that have plagued them.
Are the young and aggressive Spiders willing to adopt a patient, "East Division" style of possession? I’ll be watching Leo Gordon, who looked composed and unafraid against Salt Lake last year.
Week 3: Atlanta Hustle at San Diego Growlers | Saturday, May 9
One Big Thing to Watch: The Growlers want revenge
After dropping three contests to Atlanta last season—including a defeat in the South Division title game and a heartbreaking one-point regular-season loss—San Diego enters this matchup with plenty of motivation.
This game marks the first time since that narrow one-goal loss that the two teams will face off at Mission Bay High School. On top of that, this is the only scheduled regular-season meeting between them. Unless they cross paths in the playoffs, this is San Diego’s lone shot to get revenge.
Could Khalif El-Salaam be a game-changer? El-Salaam, who just committed to the Growlers for 2026, is still seeking his first win over his former Hustle team. He posted nearly 300 receiving yards and five goals in San Diego’s one-goal loss to Atlanta last year.
Week 4: Colorado Apex at New York Empire | Saturday, May 16
One Big Thing to Watch: Colorado might need to overcome key absences
The biggest hurdle for the Apex remains their early-season roster depth. Just like last year, Colorado’s top collegiate talent could be unavailable until the school year ends. So they could be without offensive engines Nanda Min-Fink and Zeke Thoreson.
Alex Atkins—now in an Empire jersey—will surely have New York fired up for this matchup. Since the Apex offense could be greatly shorthanded, the D-line might have to step up in a big way for Colorado to pull off an upset against New York and their talented offense.
I’ll have an eye on Hunter May; he’s one of my picks for a 2026 breakout, and this is exactly the kind of big-game environment where he could make his mark.
Week 5: New York Empire at DC Breeze | Saturday, May 23
One Big Thing to Watch: New-look rivals face off for the final time in regular season
This Week 5 clash marks the final regular-season meeting between these two East Division giants. With no more head-to-head opportunities until the playoffs, the stakes for divisional seeding couldn't be higher.
By Week 5, the "new arrival" growing pains should be a thing of the past. Atkins will have four games of experience with New York, and Mott will have three with DC—including a face-off between the two players just two weeks prior.
My eyes will be on the Breeze in this matchup. By late May, the team should be decently acclimated to Maxstadt’s coaching style. If DC drops the first game in New York, this will feel like a must-win. And a Week 3 loss in New York wouldn’t surprise me; the Breeze have only one road victory against the Empire since 2017.
Week 6: San Diego Growlers at Oakland Spiders | Saturday, May 30
One Big Thing to Watch: This game crowns the King of California
Now that the LA Aviators have suspended operations, only two California teams remain. San Diego and Oakland meet twice this season, and this game is likely the final chapter of the rivalry in 2026.
Both rosters are reaching new heights right now. While the Spiders have dominated the head-to-head lately with three straight wins, the Growlers look much more dangerous this year. Thanks to some new signings like Jonathan Lyle, San Diego should be capable of snapping Oakland’s winning streak and preventing a second consecutive season sweep.
Lyle’s impact on this matchup is going to be interesting. He became a star in LA almost instantly. Can his underrated playmaking tip the scales against Oakland?
Week 7: Indianapolis AlleyCats at Minnesota Wind Chill | Saturday, June 6
One Big Thing to Watch: James Pollard’s return to Sea Foam Stadium
There is nothing quite like the drama of a revenge game, especially when a player returns to the stadium they recently called home. This week, James Pollard heads back to Sea Foam with a prime opportunity to play the villain against his former teammates.
With the AlleyCats’ identity rooted in a powerhouse defense this season, Pollard could be an X-factor. If he’s utilized on the D-line, he has the raw athleticism and extra motivation to disrupt Minnesota's offensive rhythm in what could be a low-scoring, defensive slugfest.
Week 8: Boston Glory at New York Empire | Friday, June 12
One Big Thing to Watch: Jeff Babbitt’s return to New York
Speaking of ultimate revenge narratives, look no further than Jeff Babbitt’s return to New York. While Boston visited the Empire last season, an injury kept Babbitt sidelined. You can bet he has this game circled in his calendar.
In his lone appearance against New York last year, Babbitt was unstoppable, racking up seven goals and nearly 300 receiving yards. Can anyone keep him from having another field day in Week 8?
Last season, Ben Simmons spent the most time on Babbitt, with others like Tristan Yarter and Oliver Chartock also taking turns in the rotation.
But after giving up seven scores to a single player, I’d expect Coach Anthony Nuñez to adjust his strategy to disrupt Babbitt’s dominance.
Perhaps we see a highly-anticipated Atkins vs. Babbitt matchup, or guys like Marques Brownlee and Oliver Fay get their chance to neutralize him.
Week 9: Toronto Rush at Seattle Cascades | Saturday, June 20
One Big Thing to Watch: This could be a make-or-break matchup for Seattle
After a fairy-tale run to Championship Weekend in 2024, Seattle suffered a reality check last season, finishing 4-8 and missing the postseason. However, the tides in the West Division are shifting. With Colorado appearing vulnerable after some major offseason losses, a playoff door might’ve opened for the Cascades.
Heading into Week 9, Seattle could be sitting at a middling 2-4 or 3-3. This would make their interdivisional clash with Toronto—a winnable but dangerous trap game—the absolute pivot point for their season.
If Seattle defeats the Rush, they set up a favorable five-game playoff push. That final stretch includes three games against Oregon, a winnable showdown with the Apex, and just one game against Salt Lake.
Week 10: Oakland Spiders at Salt Lake Shred | Saturday, June 27
One Big Thing to Watch: Oakland’s test of endurance
The mouthwatering matchup between Oakland and Salt Lake is the only one to earn "Game of the Week" honors twice this season—and the hype is justified. While their Week 2 clash set the stage, this rematch introduces a new variable: the mountain doubleheader.
After spending Friday night facing Quinn Finer and company, they must immediately pivot to take on Salt Lake’s powerhouse trio of Jordan Kerr, Chad Yorgason, and Will Selfridge.
And Spiders aren't just dealing with difficult opponents; they’re fighting exhaustion and elevation change. This game marks the tail end of Oakland's first major endurance test of the season.
Week 11: Seattle Cascades at Salt Lake Shred | Saturday, July 4
One Big Thing to Watch: High stakes on the Fourth of July
As the regular season winds down, this holiday showdown is shaping up to be a potential high-stakes game. With only two weeks remaining, I expect one of these teams will have something big on the line.
Salt Lake may be locked in a heated race with Oakland for the top seed in the West, while Seattle could be battling Colorado for the final playoff spot.
History and roster changes aren't on Seattle's side. They hold a 1-7 lifetime record against the Shred, and the squad looks significantly different than the one that pulled off an upset in 2024. Stars like El-Salaam and Lukas Ambrose are now playing elsewhere.
For Seattle to pull off the road win, they will likely need the supporting cast, like up-and-comers Conor Belfield and Langley Fitzpatrick, to step up in a big way against a Shred team that will be pumped to satisfy their fans on the Fourth.
Week 12: Boston Glory at Minnesota Wind Chill | Saturday, July 11
One Big Thing to Watch: Boston’s O-line
Minnesota will likely field the stingiest D-line Boston encounters all season. The Wind Chill spent the offseason building what might be the most aggressive defense in league history. The looming question for the Glory: Will Boston’s O-line finally meet its match?
As I’ve noted previously, this matchup should be a mind-bending chess match. The game could hinge on how Feldman chooses to neutralize Tobe Decraene. However, that strategy might stay under wraps depending on how the Glory O-line holds up in the early frames.
The big mystery remains Coach Sam Rosenthal’s offensive playbook: Will Boston rely on the heavy-Decraene diet that fueled their Championship run, or was that high-volume usage saved specifically for Championship Weekend?
If Minnesota’s D-line successfully hijacks the tempo and gets the Glory O-line out of sync, I think there’s a chance Rosenthal “breaks glass in case of emergency" and puts the game in the hands of his reigning MVP.
Week 13: DC Breeze at Atlanta Hustle | Saturday, July 18
One Big Thing to Watch: Two strangers in the heavyweight ranks square off
Despite both being UFA staples for over a decade, Atlanta and DC are surprisingly unfamiliar opponents. Their Week 13 meeting marks only their third in history—and their first since 2021.
This matchup features two of the most disciplined rosters in the league, where every possession carries the weight of a playoff game. The stats back up the hype:
Last season, Atlanta led the league in fewest turnovers, while DC followed closely in fourth. They were two of only three teams to maintain a completion rate above 95 percent.
Because these teams rarely see one another, expect a tactical "feeling out" period. Combine that with their disciplined styles, and you get plenty of long, methodical points where mistakes are rare and break chances come at a premium.
I’m most excited for a premier showcase between two of the most accurate handlers in the league, Austin Taylor and Andrew Roy.
