The NFL hasn’t expanded since the Houston Texans entered the league in 2002. Back then, George W. Bush was in his first year as president, and future stars like C.J. Stroud hadn’t even been born yet.
Adding a new team would open the door to more lucrative markets and intense fan rivalries. If the NFL moves forward with expansion, these are the top cities in the running for the next NFL expansion team:
10. Sacramento
Sacramento has emerged as a strong contender for an NFL expansion team, offering a market with minimal competition beyond the NBA’s Kings. With a sizable population and a rich sports culture, the city could support an NFL franchise.
The city of Sacramento is considered a viable option for a fourth California team, especially after the Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas. A name like the “Sacramento Knights” could align well with the city’s existing sports identity, creating synergy with the Kings while carving its own niche.
9. Columbus
While Columbus is a long shot, it does present an interesting case for NFL expansion. Ohio is home to the Browns and Bengals, but Columbus, the state’s largest city, could support a third franchise.
The city’s history with the NFL is noteworthy: the Columbus Panhandles were part of the league in the 1920’s, and the NFL’s headquarters was located there until 1939. Columbus’ proximity to other NFL teams like the Steelers and Colts would ensure heated rivalries and regional fan interest.
8. Toronto
Toronto has long been discussed as a potential destination for an NFL team. It’s a massive market, with millions of fans, yet logistical challenges persist. While the city has a history of hosting CFL games through the Toronto Argonauts, the NFL would need to overcome infrastructure hurdles—namely, the lack of a stadium suited for the league.
A failed experiment, the Bills Toronto Series, further dampened hopes of an NFL team in the city, but Toronto remains one of the most compelling options for international expansion.
7. Mexico City
Mexico City is an intriguing option for the NFL, given its massive population of 22 million, which surpasses New York City. The sport is incredibly popular in Mexico, with American football being the second-most-watched sport in the country.
Historic games at Estadio Azteca, including one that drew over 112,000 fans in 1994, demonstrate the passion for the NFL. An expansion team in Mexico City could also help the NFL tap into the rapidly growing fanbase in Latin America.
6. St. Louis
St. Louis has been without an NFL team since the Rams relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, and it’s time to consider the city as a candidate for re-entry. Despite the Rams’ departure, St. Louis remains a strong sports market with a fanbase still longing for NFL football.
The city’s inability to finance a new stadium at the time of the Rams’ departure may no longer be an obstacle, and with a large enough market and a rabid fanbase, a St. Louis NFL expansion team could be a reality in the near future.
5. Oakland
Oakland fans have endured two NFL relocations—the Raiders’ departure to Los Angeles in the 1980s and their more recent move to Las Vegas in 2020. Yet, the city’s fan loyalty remains unmatched, with supporters filling the Oakland Coliseum year after year.
While the Raiders’ identity is closely tied to Oakland, there is still a chance the city could see a return to the NFL. Despite the franchise’s history of relocating, the demand for an NFL team in Oakland remains strong.
4. London
For years, London has been a prime candidate for NFL expansion. The city boasts over 15 million American football fans, making it an enticing option for global growth. With the NFL already hosting games in London since 2007, the logistics of a London-based team are becoming more feasible.
However, the obvious hurdle is travel. Flying teams back and forth between the U.S. and the UK could prove taxing, both financially and physically. Still, London could be the league’s first international franchise, offering a truly global expansion.
3. San Diego
San Diego has a proven track record of supporting an NFL team, having hosted the Chargers from 1961 until 2016. The decision to relocate to Los Angeles came after voters rejected funding for a new stadium, but that doesn’t mean San Diego doesn’t still have an appetite for football.
The city’s rich football history, paired with its large fanbase, makes it a prime candidate for expansion. The real question is whether San Diego’s residents want an NFL team again, given the circumstances surrounding the Chargers’ departure.
2. Portland
Portland has been an under-the-radar city for NFL expansion for years. A team in Portland would immediately create a rivalry with the Seattle Seahawks, and it would only face competition from the NBA’s Trail Blazers.
With a media market larger than many current NFL cities, Portland has the infrastructure and fanbase to support an NFL team. If it weren’t for a failed stadium proposal in the 1960s, Portland might already have a team and Seattle might be vying for one instead.
1. San Antonio
The top contender for the next NFL expansion team is San Antonio. With a population of over 2.5 million and a media market larger than Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Las Vegas, the city is uniquely positioned to support an NFL franchise.
San Antonio’s Alamodome, with a 64,000-seat capacity, could host the team, though some stadium upgrades would be necessary. A San Antonio NFL team would also spark fierce rivalries with Texas neighbors the Cowboys and Texans, though both franchises have resisted the idea of a third Texas-based team.
