With the NFL‘s expansion over the years, almost every region of the United States is supported by a pro football team. However, only a few states have multiple franchises. Which U.S. states boast more than one team? Let’s take a look.
California
Total Number of Teams: 3
Year of First NFL Franchise: 1946
California is one of three American states with a trio of NFL teams: the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Rams established their presence in California in 1946 when they relocated from Cleveland, becoming Los Angeles’ first professional football franchise. They later relocated to St. Louis (1995-2015) before returning to L.A. The 49ers, introduced the same year, did not officially join the NFL until 1949.
In 1959, Barron Hilton founded the L.A. Chargers, which eventually moved to San Diego while facing competition from the Rams in 1961 before relocating back to Los Angeles in 2017.
The Oakland Raiders came along in 1960 as an original AFL franchise. The team moved to Los Angeles from 1981 to 1994, causing L.A. to experience a significant surge in NFL popularity. The Raiders’ gear was popularized by the iconic rap group N.W.A. and later Snoop Dogg, and the team’s color scheme influenced the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings at one point. The Raiders would ultimately move back to Oakland in 1995, and then relocate to Las Vegas in 2020.
Today, California hosts major Super Bowl events at Levi’s Stadium and SoFi Stadium. Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys have a notable following in California, and they hold their training camps in Oxnard.
New York
Total Number of Teams: 3
Year of First NFL Franchise: 1925
As one of two East Coast states with three NFL franchises, New York’s first team entered the league in 1925 under Tim Mara’s ownership.
To distinguish themselves from the city’s baseball team of the same name, the team became officially known as “The New York Football Giants.” In 1959, the Titans of New York joined the league, later renamed the New York Jets.
In 1960, the AFL expanded into western New York, granting a franchise to Buffalo, which became the Bills.
Funnily, while New York has three teams in name, they only have one team that actually plays its home games in the state (the Bills) since the Giants and Jets play at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Florida
Total Number of Teams: 3
Year of First NFL Franchise: 1965
Arguably the football capital of the south, Florida dipped into the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 1965.
And seven years later, Miami and the entire state witnessed the league’s first-ever undefeated season of 17-0.
Florida’s NFL presence expanded in 1976 with the introduction of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Almost 20 years later, Jacksonville, the state’s largest city, was awarded the Jaguars in 1995.
The Sunshine State remains a popular destination for NFL fans, especially for the Super Bowl. Miami and Tampa hosted the big game in consecutive seasons (2019 and 2020), and Jacksonville also hosted the event in 2004.
Texas
Total Number of Teams: 2
Year of First NFL Franchise: 1952
“Everything is bigger in Texas” also applies to football and the NFL.
Texas’ story with the NFL began in 1952, with Dallas earning the state’s first franchise, calling them the Dallas Texans. However, they lasted just one season. However, in 1960, Dallas landed the Cowboys, and their star became an iconic logo.
In 1960, Houston entered the pro football scene with the AFL’s Oilers, thanks to the efforts of oilman Bud Adams. The Oilers became the AFL’s first champions in 1960 and 1961, popularizing the phrase “Luv Ya Blue,” in reference to their iconic Columbia blue, white, and red uniforms.
However, the Oilers relocated to Nashville, Tenn., initially as the Tennessee Oilers before becoming the Titans in 1999. Three years later, the NFL returned to Houston with the introduction of the Texans.
San Antonio also came close to acquiring an NFL franchise, as the city was considered a potential home for both the Raiders and New Orleans Saints.
Ohio
Total Number of Teams: 2
Year of First NFL Franchise: 1920
The NFL’s roots really took off in the Buckeye State.
The NFL’s origins trace back to the Columbus Panhandles, which was one of the founding teams in 1920. The Cleveland Tigers, which later became the Browns, also played a role in the league’s early days. Additionally, the Canton Bulldogs were pivotal in the league’s development, with Canton, Ohio, later becoming home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Ohio has been involved with the NFL for more than a century, making it the longest-running state with an NFL presence. For a brief period from 1996 to 1998, the Cincinnati Bengals were the state’s sole NFL team. However, the Browns eventually returned to the NFL after the team relocated to Baltimore but left Cleveland’s history in town.
Pennsylvania
Total Number of Teams: 2
Year of First NFL Franchise: 1924
The Keystone State holds the claim of being the easternmost state to branch into the NFL.
The league offered the Philadelphia region a franchise in 1924, eventually becoming known as the Frankford Yellow Jackets. That franchise became the 1926 league champions. In 1925, the Pottsville Maroons joined the league.
After purchasing the Yellow Jackets in 1933, the Philadelphia Eagles were established. That same year, Art Rooney founded the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1943, due to player shortages caused by World War II draft demands, the teams briefly merged and were known unofficially as the “Steagles.”
Last season, both Pennsylvania teams celebrated their 90th anniversary.