Based on comprehensive data from 2024-25, here are the cities with the most professional sports franchises in North America:
Top Cities by Total Professional Teams
- New York metropolitan area (11 teams)
- Los Angeles metropolitan area (10 teams)
- Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area (7 teams)
- Chicago metropolitan area (6 teams)
- Boston metropolitan area (5 teams)
- Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area (5 teams)
- San Francisco Bay Area (5 teams)
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area (5 teams)
- Philadelphia metropolitan area (5 teams)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (5 teams)
- Denver metropolitan area (5 teams)
- Detroit metropolitan area (4 teams)
- Toronto-Hamilton metropolitan area (6 teams)
- Houston metropolitan area (4 teams)
- Atlanta metropolitan area (4 teams)
- Seattle metropolitan area (4 teams)
- Phoenix metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Tampa Bay Area (3 teams)
- Cleveland metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Pittsburgh metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Charlotte metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Salt Lake City metropolitan area (3 teams)
- St. Louis metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Kansas City metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Cincinnati metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Nashville metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Las Vegas metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Sacramento metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Indianapolis metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Milwaukee metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Buffalo metropolitan area (2 teams)
- New Orleans metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Montreal metropolitan area (3 teams)
- Vancouver metropolitan area (3 teams)
- San Diego metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Orlando metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Portland metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Columbus metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Calgary metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Edmonton metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Ottawa metropolitan area (2 teams)
- Winnipeg metropolitan area (2 teams)
- San Antonio metropolitan area (1 team)
- Raleigh metropolitan area (1 team)
- Jacksonville metropolitan area (1 team)
- Memphis metropolitan area (1 team)
- Oklahoma City metropolitan area (1 team)
- Green Bay metropolitan area (1 team)
- Austin metropolitan area (1 team)
- Regina metropolitan area (1 team)
List of teams by city
New York City (11 teams):
- MLB: Yankees, Mets
- NFL: Giants, Jets
- NBA: Knicks, Nets
- NHL: Rangers, Islanders, Devils
- MLS: Red Bulls, NYC FC
Los Angeles (10 teams):
- MLB: Dodgers, Angels
- NFL: Rams, Chargers
- NBA: Lakers, Clippers
- NHL: Kings, Ducks
- MLS: Galaxy, LAFC
Chicago (7 teams):
- MLB: Cubs, White Sox
- NFL: Bears
- NBA: Bulls
- NHL: Blackhawks
- MLS: Fire
Philadelphia (5 teams):
- MLB: Phillies
- NFL: Eagles
- NBA: 76ers
- NHL: Flyers
- MLS: Union
Dallas (5 teams):
- MLB: Rangers
- NFL: Cowboys
- NBA: Mavericks
- NHL: Stars
- MLS: FC Dallas
Washington DC (5 teams):
- MLB: Nationals
- NFL: Commanders
- NBA: Wizards
- NHL: Capitals
- MLS: DC United
Boston (5 teams):
- MLB: Red Sox
- NFL: Patriots
- NBA: Celtics
- NHL: Bruins
- MLS: Revolution
San Francisco Bay Area (5 teams):
- MLB: Giants, Athletics
- NFL: 49ers
- NBA: Warriors
- NHL: Sharks
- MLS: Earthquakes
Notable Market Developments
- Salt Lake City recently became the newest major sports market with the addition of the Utah Hockey Club (NHL) in the 2024-25 season.
- Austin, despite having no Big Four teams, maintains a professional presence with Austin FC (MLS)
- Toronto-Hamilton region stands out as the only Canadian market with six total teams, including CFL representation
League Distribution
The major professional sports leagues in North America include:
- NFL (National Football League): 32 teams
- MLB (Major League Baseball): 30 teams
- NBA (National Basketball Association): 30 teams
- NHL (National Hockey League): 32 teams
- MLS (Major League Soccer): Expanding to 30 teams by 2025
- CFL (Canadian Football League): 9 teams
These numbers reflect current team distributions as of the 2024-25 season, with New York City maintaining its position as the metropolitan area with the highest concentration of professional sports franchises.
