Who are the most popular NFL teams, and who’s the real America’s Team? Football loyalty isn’t what it used to be. There are 32 teams in the National Football League from across 23 states but loyalties are no longer exclusive to where you’re from.
A fan’s favorite team often comes down to familial ties, or because you’re a bandwagon jumper. Whatever your reason is here’s our list of the 10 most popular NFL teams:
10. New York Giants
The New York Giants have the luxury of playing in the largest TV market in America. It’s also helped that the franchise has drafted superstars like Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan and Odell Beckham Jr. for Giants fans to idolize.
Four Super Bowls in 1987, 1991, 2008 and 2012 has helped the Giants become one of the most popular NFL teams, especially the latter two championships, beating the Patriots as heavy underdogs led by Eli Manning.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks fans are known as the “12th Man” with a flag raised before each home game and the #12 retired both in an honor to fans. Seahawks fans even caused a small earthquake in 2011 following a Marshawn Lynch touchdown.
A Super Bowl win from three appearances has also helped the popularity of the team from the Pacific Northwest. According to one survey, more than 67% of Seahawks fans aren’t even from the state of Washington.
8. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is the smallest market of any major sports team but the Packers remain one of the most popular NFL teams. When was the last game not to sell out at Lambeau Field? All the way back on November 22, 1959.
Famously the Packers are owned by common fans and not a rich ownership group. Green Bay have also been blessed with long term Hall of Famers Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, helping boost the teams popularity over a long period of time.
7. Denver Broncos
According to a 2014 poll the Denver Broncos was “America’s Team” as it ranked number one for most popular NFL team, mostly because of the hype created by Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders.
The Broncos aren’t as popular as they once were with their decline linked to the lack of success, but the team from Mile High has sold out every single home game since 1973.
6. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are one of the most popular NFL teams largely due to the legacies left by stars including Steve Young, Joe Montana and the five Super Bowls the franchise has won.
San Francisco isn’t the franchise that they were in the 80s and 90s but their fans are the most engaged on social media.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia fans across all sports are known for being extremely passionate, loud and unforgiving. Eagles fans are no different but their team is one of the most popular NFL teams.
The Eagles Super Bowl victory in 2017 saw a boost in popularity for the franchise and they currently have more than 3.8 million Twitter fans. But the popularity of the team is rooted deep in family traditions in the city, with fanfare passed down through the generations.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Why are there so many Steelers fans at away games? In 1910 Pittsburgh was one of the top ten biggest cities in America. By the early 1980s the local steel industry collapsed forcing Steelers fans to relocate all around America.
That’s why there’s so many yellow “terrible towels” being waved by Steelers fans who often outnumber home team fans at away games. Mind you, back in Pittsburgh the Steelers have sold out every game since 1972.
3. New England Patriots
The Patriots popularity is no doubt as a result of the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era which created one of the greatest dynasties in sports. A legion of bandwagon fans jumped on the Patriots on the back of six Super Bowl championships in 18 seasons.
New England are the most followed NFL team on X with over 4.6 million followers. The loyalty of fans is being tested as the Patriots are nowhere near as competitive without Brady.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs fan base historically was concentrated closer to home but three championships in five seasons has transformed the Chiefs into the second most popular NFL team. The passion of fans in the city is also why Kansas City needs an NHL expansion team.
Skyrocketing the Chiefs popularity is the unprecedented marriage between “Swifties” and Chiefs fans. Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift started to date, and Swift’s first game on September 24, 2023 changed things forever.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are still “America’s Team”. They’re the most searched NFL team over a five-year period, have a sellout streak that dates back to 2002, and have featured stars including Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman.
Five Super Bowl championships has earned the team a legion of fans especially the success of the 70s and 90s. Over 4.4 million fans follow the Cowboys on X but this is a team that you either love to love, or love to hate.
