St. Louis Battlehawks Overview
The St. Louis Battlehawks are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri, competing in the United Football League (UFL). Founded on December 5, 2018, the team was originally established as a founding member of the XFL and continues as a prominent franchise following the merger of the XFL and USFL in late 2023. The Battlehawks are owned by Alpha Acquico, a company controlled by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners. The team plays its home games at The Dome at America’s Center and has cultivated a passionate fan base that consistently leads the league in attendance and social media engagement. The Battlehawks have achieved remarkable success with back-to-back UFL championships in 2024 and 2025, establishing themselves as one of the most successful franchises in the emerging professional football landscape. Team colors are royal blue and silver, and Ricky Proehl serves as the head coach.
Founding and Organizational Origins
On December 5, 2018, St. Louis was announced as one of eight cities that would join the newly reformed XFL. The franchise was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment with the goal of creating an alternative professional football league to compete during the NFL offseason. St. Louis was selected as a host city, becoming the only XFL team founded in a market that lacked a current National Football League franchise. The city had previously hosted NFL football from 1960 to 1987 with the Cardinals and again from 1995 to 2015 with the Rams, creating significant fan interest in alternative professional football.
On April 18, 2019, the organization hired Jonathan Hayes, who most recently served as tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, as the team’s first head coach. Hayes is an alumnus of the University of Iowa. The team name, logo, and identity were officially revealed on August 21, 2019, with the team adopting the “Battlehawks” name and unveiling distinctive royal blue and silver uniforms on December 3, 2019. On October 15, 2019, the organization announced their first player in team history, with former Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jordan Ta’amu being assigned to the franchise.
Growth Into XFL Competition
The Battlehawks entered their inaugural XFL season in 2020 with high expectations under head coach Jonathan Hayes. The organization built its initial roster through the XFL’s player allocation process, assembling a competitive squad for the弹簧 season. The team’s first official game was a historic moment for the franchise, as the Battlehawks debuted in professional football with significant community support.
The XFL season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league announcing on March 12, 2020, that the remainder of the season had been cancelled. The Battlehawks had finished with a 3-2 record through five games. On April 10, 2020, the XFL suspended all operations, terminating employees, players, and staff. However, this was not the end of the franchise. On August 3, 2020, a consortium led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the XFL for $15 million, with court approval coming on August 7, 2020. This acquisition marked the beginning of a new era for the Battlehawks organization.
St. Louis Battlehawks Competitive Journey
The St. Louis Battlehawks have evolved from an inaugural XFL franchise to one of the most successful teams in alternative professional football. The franchise has competed across multiple iterations of the league, including the original XFL, the returning XFL in 2023, and the unified United Football League that emerged from the merger of the XFL and USFL in late 2023. As of the 2026 season, the team holds a franchise regular season record of 29-14, demonstrating consistent competitiveness across its history.
Early Seasons and Development (2020)
The Battlehawks won their first game in franchise history on February 8, 2020, defeating the Dallas Renegades 15-9 at The Dome at America’s Center. The team showed promise throughout the abbreviated season, compiling a 3-2 record before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the remaining schedule. The inaugural campaign established the foundation for the franchise’s identity, with strong fan support becoming immediately evident. The early success on the field and the connection with the St. Louis community set the stage for the franchise’s future.
Following the XFL’s suspension of operations, the organization underwent significant changes. The purchase by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners in August 2020 provided financial stability and celebrity ownership that elevated the franchise’s profile. Anthony Becht was hired as head coach on April 13, 2022, with the expectation that he would lead the St. Louis franchise when play resumed. On July 24, 2022, the return of the St. Louis XFL franchise was officially confirmed, and on October 31, 2022, the XFL announced that the Battlehawks name would be returning with slight alterations to the logo.
Breakthrough in UFL (2024–Present)
The 2023 XFL season marked the Battlehawks’ return to competitive play under new ownership and leadership. The team finished tied for second place in their division with a 7-3 record, narrowly missing the playoffs due to tiebreaker procedures. Despite the playoff disappointment, the franchise continued to build momentum with its strong fan base and competitive roster. The team drew record attendance numbers, including an XFL record 38,310 fans at a home opener, eclipsing previous records set during the franchise’s inaugural season.
In September 2023, reports emerged that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues. The merger was officially announced on September 28, 2023, with details to follow. The XFL filed a trademark application for the name “United Football League” in October 2023. On November 30, 2023, Dany Garcia announced via Instagram that regulatory approval had been received and the combined season would begin March 30, 2024. The merger became official on December 31, 2023, creating the unified United Football League.
The 2024 UFL season represented a breakthrough year for the Battlehawks. The team captured its first championship, establishing itself as a dominant force in the new league. Building on that success, the Battlehawks repeated as champions in 2025, securing back-to-back UFL titles and cementing their status as the premier franchise in alternative professional football. These consecutive championships demonstrated the organization’s ability to sustain excellence across multiple seasons.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023–Present)
The current ownership group, led by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico in partnership with Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners, has provided stability and resources for the franchise’s modern operations. Ricky Proehl serves as head coach, leading a program that has established itself as a consistent contender in the UFL. The organization continues to operate from The Dome at America’s Center, where strong fan support has led to record attendance figures and sellout crowds.
The Battlehawks play their home games at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The stadium, which was built with the intention of attracting an NFL expansion or relocation team, has proven to be an excellent venue for the franchise. The organization signed a three-year lease agreement with similar terms to its 2020 arrangement, keeping all ticket revenue while the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission retains concession and parking revenue. The success of the franchise has been evident in ticket sales, with the team opening additional seating in middle decks to accommodate demand heading into recent seasons.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The St. Louis Battlehawks have established a strong organizational identity built on competitive excellence and community engagement. The franchise has consistently demonstrated the ability to attract talented players and coaching staff, with its stability under experienced ownership providing a foundation for sustained success. The team’s royal blue and silver colors have become synonymous with professional football in St. Louis, and the organization has successfully tapped into a market that remains passionate about the sport following the departures of previous NFL franchises.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The Battlehawks’ history includes several landmark moments that have shaped the franchise’s identity. The team’s first victory on February 8, 2020, against the Dallas Renegades marked the beginning of competitive football in St. Louis under the new XFL banner. The franchise’s resilience through the league’s initial shutdown and subsequent purchase by high-profile owners demonstrated the staying power of professional football in the market. The back-to-back UFL championships in 2024 and 2025 represent the pinnacle of the franchise’s achievements. The team has developed notable rivalries with the DC Defenders and Birmingham Stallions, with matchups between these teams consistently among the highest-attended and most-viewed in the league.
St. Louis Battlehawks Achievements and Results
The St. Louis Battlehawks have established themselves as one of the most successful franchises in alternative professional football, accumulating multiple championships and maintaining consistent competitiveness across multiple seasons. The team’s achievements span both the XFL era and the unified UFL era, with back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025 representing the franchise’s greatest accomplishments. As of the 2026 season, the team holds a franchise regular season record of 29-14, demonstrating sustained excellence over multiple years of competition.
UFL Achievements
The Battlehawks have captured two UFL championships, winning consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025. These championships solidified the franchise’s status as the premier organization in the United Football League. The team’s success in the merged league demonstrated the competitive strength built during the XFL era, as the Battlehawks emerged as champions in the unified professional football landscape.
Divisional Achievements
The Battlehawks have won two division championships, capturing North Division titles in both 2024 and 2025. These divisional championships preceded the team’s league titles, as the franchise consistently performed at a high level within its division. The team’s competitive success in divisional play has been a hallmark of the organization since its founding.
Series Achievements
Beyond league championships, the Battlehawks have accumulated two UFL Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, matching the team’s championship haul. The franchise has appeared in the playoffs in 2024, 2025, and 2026, demonstrating consistent postseason success. The team’s ability to compete at the highest level across multiple seasons has established the Battlehawks as a model organization in alternative professional football.
