It’s official: Battlehawks to be part of new United Football League (UFL)

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Battlehawks will be part of the United Football League (UFL), which will start play in March, it was announced Monday.

The UFL is the result of a merger between the XFL and the USFL. Eight teams are part of the combined league, which is divided into two conferences:

XFL CONFERENCE

Arlington Renegades

D.C. Defenders

San Antonio Brahmas

St. Louis Battlehawks

USFL CONFERENCE

Birmingham Stallions

Houston Roughnecks

Memphis Showboats

Michigan Panthers

Several teams from both the XFL and USFL did not survive the merger.

Battlehawks are keeping head coach Anthony Becht, who led the squad in 2023. The season is slated to start March 30.

Attendance at Battlehawks games was overwhelming in 2023 in St. Louis, setting XFL attendance records throughout the season. On average, around 35,000 fans filled the dome for home games, more than twice that of any other team.

One fan, who insisted on being referred to as “The Kawkfather” for this story, said he felt that the local for the team would continue.

“They were doing 5, 6, 7 times the attendance of anyone else in the XFL. It seemed like a no-brainer,” he said.

Local businesses were glad to see the turnout for games, too. Workers at the Over/Under bar on Washington said the gameday environment downtown was similar to Rams-era matches. Joey Garcia, a bartender, said the enthusiasm for the team was contagious, especially the fan-originated “Kakaw!” call.

“When they’re here, it’s wild,” Garcia said. “Everyone’s out here having fun and trying to enjoy some football. Because St. Louis misses football.”

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