The XFL is returning once again in 2023, and viewers are going to get an inside look at how the league does in what it hopes will be its first full season since 2001.
The XFL is producing its own nine-part documentary entitled "Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream" for the season that will air on ESPN. The series will follow key players, coaches and figures across the league as they navigate the 2023 season.
The goal is to give viewers a chance to see what happens behind the scenes across the league.
MORE: Watch XFL games, documentary series live with fuboTV (free trial)
"The opportunity to use our partnership with Disney and ESPN to showcase these dynamic stories and demonstrate the XFL’s potential is a pivotal aspect of our mission," XFL Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia said in a press release. "Player 54 is the culmination of many of the things that make the XFL special, but, most importantly, it focuses on our players and coaches — the soul and heartbeat of our League.
"Since the beginning, we’ve been committed to elevating these players, providing them with a platform to share their stories, cultivate their individual brands, and establish themselves as professional athletes. This docuseries is a powerful tool in telling these athletes' narratives, connecting with our fans, and building a 'League of Tomorrow'."
Here's all the information you need to know about how to watch the first episode of the XFL's docuseries both live and streaming on demand.
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What time is the XFL documentary on tonight?
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 16
- Time: 5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. ET
The XFL docuseries "Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream" is set to be broadcast for the first time at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Thursday. That will be just two days before the 2023 XFL season starts with a matchup between the Vegas Vipers and Arlington Renegades on Saturday.
This will be the first of nine episodes to air on ESPN's family of networks. The others will be created and broadcast during the XFL's 2023 season.
What channel is the XFL documentary on tonight?
The first episode of "Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream" will air on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Thursday. The docuseries episode will also air on ABC an hour ahead of the XFL season opener between the Vipers and Renegades on Saturday.
Viewers will be able to stream the XFL documentary, as well as all 43 games during the season using fuboTV, which comes with a free trial. After airing, the docuseries episode will also be available to stream exclusively on ESPN+ once it first airs at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday.
The documentary will likely be used in lieu of pregame coverage by ESPN and its family of networks throughout the season. That would be similar to the approach used by Fox and NBC for its USFL games during the 2022 spring-league season.
MORE: Full schedule, dates, times for 2023 XFL games
Where is the XFL documentary streaming?
As mentioned, the XFL documentary will be able to stream as it airs using fuboTV, which comes with a free trial. FuboTV also comes with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and FX, which will air all 43 XFL games during the 2023 season.
After airing, "Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream" will only be available to stream on ESPN+. Viewers will be able to watch it as it airs live on ESPN2 and ABC over the next few days, but anyone wanting to watch it on demand will have to be subscribed to ESPN+ to see it.
What is the XFL documentary 'Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream' about?
The XFL's docuseries will chronicle "the human stories that exist within the XFL on and off the field," per a press release from the league. This will include players battling for roster spots, fighting to earn starting jobs and dealing with obstacles throughout the season as a whole.
"Player 54 is a deeply personal reality for me," XFL owner Dwayne Johnson said via the press release. "There are 53 players on an NFL roster – I was number 54. I was good, but not good enough. I was ready, I was hungry, and I waited for that NFL phone call that never came. I never got that shot to prove myself. And that seminal moment in my life put a chip on my shoulder that has never and will never go away.
"Years later, life has brought me to the XFL today, and I’m grateful to share my experience with our players — all of whom have that same chip on their shoulders. I hope everyone enjoys watching our XFL process as much as I’ve enjoyed this 'life comes full circle' ride."
