Team Logo for the XFL D.C. Defenders (2023)
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Watch DC Defenders UFL Season Online: Best Channels & Streaming Plans in 2024

The UFL Conference Championships are this weekend featuring Birmingham Stallions vs Michigan Panthers on ABC and San Antonio Brahmas vs St Louis Battlehawks on Fox. Watch them both on Fubo!

I’m ready to watch the DC Defenders continue their dominance in the new UFL, just like they did during their time in the XFL.

In a hurry? If you want to watch the 2024 DC Defenders season, along with the other UFL games, we have the streaming services that you need:

  • Fubo: The best streaming service for international sports also provides 150+ well-selected channels. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
  • DIRECTV STREAM: Get a great channel lineup with the best selection of RSNs in the industry. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
  • Sling TV: This low-cost service allows you to select just the channel lineup you want. Save 50% on Sling TV now.

If you can’t watch your favorite sports because of your location, get ExpressVPN to access the content you deserve.

Why You Need a VPN Today

However, first you need a VPN to unblock US streaming services from . Our favourite is ExpressVPN. It’s definitely not the cheapest option at $4.99/month, but it just works – and across all your devices.

They have servers in 25+ US cities/states and 105 countries, which unblock access to premium streaming platforms available only in the US, as well as free “on demand” TV services worldwide.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, meaning you can watch BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Sign Up for ExpressVPN

Hotdog users get three months free at ExpressVPN, so it’s a “no-brainer” for us. Decide for yourself with their 30 day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN

IMPORTANT: Once you’ve installed your VPN and connected to a US server, you’ll still need to subscribe separately to access premium streaming services.

Channels to Watch DC Defenders Games Live

The UFL games will air across several different channels this season. The Defenders will be on the following channels:

  • Fox (4 games)
  • ESPN (4 games)
  • ABC (2 games)
  • ESPN2 (0 games)
  • FS1 (0 games)

Note that the 6 games (on Fox and ABC) can be watched for free over-the-air with a digital antenna — depending on your exact location.

How to Watch The DC Defenders Online Without Cable

Streaming is a lot like regular cable, but for most people the cost is the biggest benefit. After you subscribe, you just need to set up a compatible streaming device and then you can watch all your favorite sports, shows, and news programs.

Most services work across multiple streaming devices like your computer, smartphone or tablet, many smart TVs, or devices like Roku or Amazon Fire. We encourage you to learn about your options.

Watch DC Defenders on Fubo

fubotv logo

Fubo (formerly FuboTV) has the best section of sports channels for fans. More than a third of the channels are dedicated to sports. The Pro plan is $79.99/month. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial. Also, it has:

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

  • 130+ channels
  • Has local channels ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox
  • Channels include ESPN, ESPN2, and FX
  • unlimited cloud DVR
  • Streaming on 10 devices at once.

You can find out more in our Fubo Review here.

Sling TV For Watching DC Defenders

Sling TV Logo

Sling TV’s Orange and Blue plans costs $40.00/month each. Its channel lineup does not include ABC but you can watch the games aired on ABC on ESPN3.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

  • $40.00/month (Orange or Blue) $55.00/month (Orange & Blue)
  • ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 are in the Sling Orange package
  • FX is in the Sling Blue package
  • 30+ channels (Sling Orange) and 40+ channels (Sling Blue)
  • 1 streaming device (Sling Orange) and 3 streaming devices (Sling Blue)
  • 50 hours of cloud DVR

Our Sling TV review has more details.

See DC Defenders on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM

Another recommendation to watch DC Defenders online, along with the other UFL teams, is DIRECTV STREAM. It has live local networks and plenty of other options for sports and entertainment. The details:

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

  • $86.99/month for 75+ channels
  • ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and FX are available
  • Unlimited cloud DVR
  • Streaming on unlimited devices at the same time

Get a 5-day free trial when you sign up today. See our DIRECTV STREAM review.

Hulu + Live TV For Streaming DC Defenders

hulu logo

You can watch the DC Defenders live streaming on all four networks showing their games with Hulu Live. You also get Disney+ and ESPN+. Here are the details:

Get Hulu + Live TV Free

  • $82.99/month
  • 85+ live channels
  • Huge on-demand library
  • Unlimited cloud DVR (with storage for 9 months)
  • All the UFL channels: ABC, Fox, ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1

You can also read more about it in our Hulu + Live TV review.

Other Ways to Watch DC Defenders

Fubo, Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Hulu + Live TV are at the top of our list, but they’re not the only options to watch UFL and stream DC Defenders games this season.

  • Digital Antenna: With a digital antenna, you can watch local channels in your area for free. This includes ABC. Therefore you can watch all the games aired on ABC for free.
  • YouTube TV: The base package is $82.99/month and it has ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and FX. Our YouTube TV review has more information.

Streaming Devices to Watch the DC Defenders Games

These streaming services are compatible with most devices at home. All the services offer the following:

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Android Mobile
  • Android TV smart TVs
  • Apple TV
  • Chromecast
  • iOS (iPhone, iPad)
  • Roku
  • Web Browsers.

Additionally:

  • Fubo: Hisense, LG, Samsung, Vizio smart TVs and Xbox gaming consoles
  • Sling TV: LG, Samsung, Vizio smart TVs, Oculus VR, Xbox, and more
  • Hulu + Live TV: Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation gaming consoles
  • DIRECTV STREAM: Samsung TV smart TVs and proprietary device
  • YouTube TV: Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles

See our individual reviews for more details on the streaming devices.

DC Defenders Overview

The DC Defenders are now in the XFL Conference of the new UFL.

In the truncated 2020 XFL season, the Defenders finished at the top of their conference and set a league record for the most lopsided win with a 27-0 shutout over the New York Guardians. Will the Defenders be able to stay at the top of their division in 2023?

Reggie Barlow as head coach and manager led the DC Defenders a 9-1 regular season record in 2023 but ultimately feel to the Renegades in the championship game.

The professional development of the Defenders’ front office has succeeded in retaining Audi Field in Washington, DC — and its pristine natural grass — for home games.

The DC Defenders roster is strong and features a lot of talent from the NFL, USFL, Canadian Football League, and elsewhere.

DC Defenders Offense

In the quarterback department of the Defenders, the three spots are filled by Deondre Francois Jalan McClendon, and Jordan Ta’amu. Although none of them were selected in the NFL draft, Ta’amu had an impressive season last year.

They will be combined with wide receivers Keke Coutee, Jazz Ferguson, Kelvin Harmon, Chris Rowland, Ty Scott, Brandon Smith, and Vyncint Smith. The team also features running backs Darius Hagans, Cam’Ron Harris, Abram Smith, and Pooka Williams. And the tight end position will be held Alex Ellis, Briley Moore, and Kaden Smith.

Also notable on the offensive line are center Lamont Gaillard and guard Sadarius Hutcherson.Fred Kaiss returns as offensive coordinator.

DC Defenders Defense

The solid defense shown by the team in 2023 will likely be strengthened by former NFL head coach Gregg Williams, who is in his second year as defensive coordinator.

The Defenders have a deep defensive roster. The line includes TJ Barnes, Derick Roberson, Niles Scott, and Time Ward.

The linebacker squad is led by the colorful Reggie Northrup of the CFL and most recently USFL, who also happens to be into mixed martial arts. Additionally, there is Davin Bellamy, Francis Bernard, Jordan Evans, Ferrod Gardner, Trent Harris, Anthony Hines, Andre Mintze, Reggie Northrup, and MoMo Sanogo.

The defensive backs include safeties Deontay Anderson, Kentrell Brice, Montae Nicholson, and DJ Swearinger and cornerbacks Deandre Baker, Gareon Conley, Isaiah Johnson, Michael Joseph, Anthoula Kelly, Santos Ramirez, and Nydair Rouse.

All in all, the Defenders have managed to assemble a player roster that appears to be as deep as the 2023 season.

UFL Era

At the end of 2023, the XFL and USFL merged to create a new super Spring league, the UFL. The DC Defenders joined as part of the XFL Conference.

DC Defenders 2024 Schedule

DateTime (ET)TeamsTV
Sun Mar 3112:00 pmDC Defenders at San Antonio BrahmasESPN
Sun Apr 74:00 pmHouston Roughnecks at DC DefendersFox
Sat Apr 131:00 pmDC Defenders at Arlington RenegadesESPN
Sat Apr 207:00 pmDC Defenders at Birmingham StallionsFox
Sun Apr 2812:00 pmSt Louis Battlehawks at DC DefendersESPN
Sun May 54:00 pmSan Antonio Brahmas at DC DefendersFox
Sun May 1212:00 pmMichigan Panthers at DC DefendersESPN
Sun May 1912:00 pmDC Defenders at St Louis BattlehawksABC
Sun May 262:30 pmDC Defenders at Memphis ShowboatsFox
Sun Jun 212:00 pmArlington Renegades at DC DefendersABC

Wrapping Up

That’s everything we know about how to watch the DC Defenders online without cable. But, even if you only plan to watch DC Defenders games you may want to have access to the rest of the UFL schedule and Fubo is your best pick.

Check out the UFL full schedule. Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments.

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