The XFL has made a successful comeback as it drew an average of 1.19 million viewers in its first weekend. The league played four games on Saturday and Sunday, with the highest-rated game being the Seattle Dragons’ 31-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Vipers, which drew 3.3 million viewers on ABC.
The XFL’s debut weekend was also a success on social media, with the league’s official Twitter account gaining over 133,000 followers in just three days. The league also received positive feedback from fans and media outlets for its innovative rules, including a new kickoff format and a point-after-touchdown system that eliminates traditional kicking.
The XFL’s success in its first weekend is a promising sign for the league, which previously only lasted one season in 2001. The league has made several changes to its structure and management in an effort to avoid the same fate as its predecessor, and it appears that these changes have paid off.
Despite the success of the first weekend, the numbers were down from the XFL’s last reboot in 2020, when each of the four games during the league’s first weekend averaged at least 2.5 million viewers. However, the Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon games, Vegas versus Arlington and St. Louis versus San Antonio, each topped 1.5 million viewers on ABC. The least-watched game had 751,000 viewers, which was Saturday night’s game in which the Houston Roughnecks defeated the Orlando Guardians 33-12.
Looking ahead, the XFL will play its first of two Thursday night contests in Week 2. There is one Monday night game and one Friday night game also scheduled for later in the season. The XFL’s success in its first weekend is a promising sign for the league, which previously only lasted one season in 2001. The league has made several changes to its structure and management in an effort to avoid the same fate as its predecessor, and it appears that these changes have paid off.
Overall, the XFL’s return has been met with enthusiasm from football fans who are looking for an alternative to the NFL during the offseason. With promising ratings and a positive reception from viewers and critics alike, it will be interesting to see how the league progresses throughout the rest of its season.
