Anthony Becht rolled into Orlando looking every bit like a coach who just got handed a brand-new playbook. On Sunday, his Orlando Storm will host the Columbus Aviators at Inter&Co Stadium in a primetime UFL opener that closes the league's opening weekend. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the night is set up to deliver more than just football, with a major halftime performance and game-day celebrations planned downtown.
According to The UFL, the Storm's home debut will feature DJ Khaled at halftime and will air on ESPN. The league has dubbed the event the "407 Kickoff" and says fans can expect community appearances, giveaways, and the unveiling of the team's mascot. UFL officials say the primetime slot was chosen to give Orlando maximum exposure as a new spring-football market.
Becht's big week
Becht told the Orlando Sentinel he was "super fired up" about bringing pro football to the city and called the week "historic" for Orlando. He says the Storm are being built to compete right away and that the franchise will lean on local energy and community partnerships as it settles in. Those comments have helped set expectations that Becht and his staff will rely on experience and continuity as the season kicks off.
Roster and what to watch
Per The UFL, Becht's roster blends NFL experience with proven spring talent. Dorian Thompson‑Robinson and Jack Plummer headline the quarterback room, and Jashaun Corbin returns as one of the league's top rushers. The team's construction and training-camp notes highlight veterans Becht brought from St. Louis, along with several regional standouts. That mix of leadership and emerging playmakers will be the main storyline once the ball is snapped.
Rules that could change the game
Sunday's contest will be played under a rules package built to reward bold playcalling. The UFL has a four-point field goal for kicks of 60 yards or more, requires only one foot inbounds for a completed catch, and restricts punts inside the opponent's 50-yard line. Fox Sports notes that these tweaks are designed to increase scoring and force more fourth-down decisions. Coaches in Orlando have said those rules change the calculus for late-game strategy and special teams planning.
What fans should know
Single-game tickets for the Storm's opener are available through Ticketmaster and the team's ticket portal, with the event listed as "Orlando Storm vs. Columbus Aviators" at Inter&Co Stadium. See the official ticket page for availability and seating: Ticketmaster. Fans should expect heavier-than-normal downtown traffic on game night and are encouraged to arrive early for pregame activities and fan giveaways.
For Orlando, the opener is more than a single game; it is a first step in a long-term push to make the city a spring-football destination. Whether Becht's experiment with a veteran core and high-stakes rules pays off will be decided under the downtown lights on Sunday.
