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Ever wonder which states in the US have the most teams across all professional sports leagues? Many states showcase more than one team in any given pro sport, but it varies as you look at different ones across the country due to that state’s nature of implementing sports culture. In this article, we’ll analyze what states in the US have the most professional sports teams, including the population of people in the state and how many teams there are by league.
Starting the list is Pennsylvania. With a population of just under 13 million (2023), Pennsylvania’s teams are split between the two major cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where you can find some of the most successful sports teams ever. With two teams in the MLB, NFL and NHL and one in both the NBA and MLS, Pennsylvania has all bases covered across the major leagues, which are listed below.
MLB: Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates
MLS: Philadelphia Union
NBA: Philadelphia 76ers
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins
Up next is just what you’d expect, the state of Texas with 11 total pro sports teams spread throughout three major cities. With a total population of 30.5 million (2023), it’s no surprise there are plenty of sports teams in the Lone Star State, especially football and basketball. Even with a highly popular Dallas Cowboys team and three heavily supported NBA teams in San Antonio, Dallas and Houston, Texas has made massive gains in recent years with the development of three total MLS teams, with the most recent coming out of Austin back in 2020.
MLB: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers
MLS: FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC, Austin FC
NBA: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs
NFL: Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
NHL: Dallas Stars
Of course, with a population of 22.61 million (2023) in an area smaller than Texas, you’ll find a high concentration of fans who love all kinds of sports. As part of the ongoing success in almost all of the major sports leagues you can think of, Florida ties Texas for having the same total number of 11 sports teams throughout the state. If you’re thinking of checking out a Florida-based team, Miami might be one of the best sports cities there is, with teams like the Dolphins, Inter Miami and Miami Heat all playing from a similar location. If not Miami, then you’ll find plenty of other sports teams scattered throughout Tampa Bay and Orlando.
MLB: Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays
MLS: Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC
NBA: Miami Heat, Orlando Magic
NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NHL: Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning
With the inclusion of the New York Giants and New York Jets in this list (both playing out of East Rutherford, New Jersey), New York takes second place as the state with the second-most pro sports teams with a population of 19.57 million (2023). Even without counting the two New Jersey-stadium teams in the NFL, New York still has a massive sports culture coming out of Buffalo, with teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres adding variety to the list of cities with quality sports teams. Along with 12 total pro teams scattered across New York in all the major leagues, there are places outside of the greater NYC area, such as Elmont, where you can find the New York Islanders hard at work.
MLB: New York Mets, New York Yankees
MLS: New York City FC, New York Red Bulls
NBA: Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks
NFL: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, New York Jets
NHL: Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, New York Rangers
Finally, we have California, the state with an overwhelming majority of the most professional sports teams you can find playing in the MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL and NHL. It makes sense, considering the state’s 38.97 million and growing population loves to get their entertainment on with sports. If we count the newest addition to the MLS coming in the 2025 season (San Diego FC), California has a grand total of 19 pro sports teams within its borders. Not all of them are based out of San Francisco or LA either, as teams such as the MLB’s San Diego Padres, the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks and the NBA’s Sacramento Kings have all acquired local and national followage in less populated Californian-based cities. The Athletics MLB team previously played in Oakland but has moved to Sacramento for three seasons from 2025 to 2027 before a permanent move to Las Vegas.
MLB: Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, The Athletics
MLS: Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, San Diego FC (2025)
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ersNHL: Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.