Now that the NFL season has arrived, the battle between teams – and their fans – is ready to reignite.
Franchises with the biggest fanbases aren’t always the best, and some organizations in smaller markets have a greater reach than their state lines. So, which team has the largest group of supporters?
While it is a tough thing to quantify, internet searches offer a glimpse at which teams are sparking the most interest. Here’s a look at what the numbers say about NFL teams’ popularity nationally and by state:
Which NFL team is the most popular in the U.S.?
The Dallas Cowboys remain “America’s Team,” at least in terms of search trends.
USA TODAY obtained Google data from 2017 through 2022 and found the following 10 teams as the ones searched most often:
- Dallas Cowboys
- New England Patriots
- Green Bay Packers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Kansas City Chiefs
- San Francisco 49ers
- Chicago Bears
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Cleveland Browns
For a look at which NFL teams are trending right now, click here.
Which NFL team is the most popular in each state?
— jordan mendoza (@jordan_mendoza5) September 8, 2022Who is the most popular NFL team in the country? What about in your state?
See AlsoRanking NFL Fan Bases: Who has the Best Supporters and Fans?Oldest NFL StadiumsWhat are the loudest NFL stadiums?Best Football Club in the World 2023The answers may (or may not) surprise you.https://t.co/Fk8t3uqxiu
The Cowboys are the most popular team in the most states. Dallas was the most popular search result dating back to 2017 in seven states, including Texas.
The Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are next on the list. Unsurprisingly, the Patriots are the most popular team in all six New England states, while the Seahawks are well-represented with four states in the Pacific Northwest, along with Alaska.
NFL
Along with the Cowboys, the 49ers, Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers prevailed in states that are home to multiple NFL teams. That left teams like the New York Giants, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins without a single state.
Here is the full breakdown of the most popular NFL teams by state, according to Google trends data, with 25 of the 32 franchises making the cut:
- Alabama: Dallas Cowboys
- Alaska: Seattle Seahawks
- Arizona: Arizona Cardinals
- Arkansas: Dallas Cowboys
- California: San Francisco 49ers
- Colorado: Denver Broncos
- Connecticut: New England Patriots
- Delaware: Philadelphia Eagles
- District of Columbia: Washington Commanders
- Florida: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Georgia: Atlanta Falcons
- Hawaii: San Francisco 49ers
- Idaho: Seattle Seahawks
- Illinois: Chicago Bears
- Indiana: Indianapolis Colts
- Iowa: Green Bay Packers
- Kansas: Kansas City Chiefs
- Kentucky: Cincinnati Bengals
- Louisiana: New Orleans Saints
- Maine: New England Patriots
- Maryland: Baltimore Ravens
- Massachusetts: New England Patriots
- Michigan: Detroit Lions
- Minnesota: Minnesota Vikings
- Mississippi: New Orleans Saints
- Missouri: Kansas City Chiefs
- Montana: Seattle Seahawks
- Nebraska: Kansas City Chiefs
- Nevada: Las Vegas Raiders
- New Hampshire: New England Patriots
- New Jersey: Philadelphia Eagles
- New Mexico: Dallas Cowboys
- New York: Buffalo Bills
- North Carolina: Carolina Panthers
- North Dakota: Minnesota Vikings
- Ohio: Cleveland Browns
- Oklahoma: Dallas Cowboys
- Oregon: Seattle Seahawks
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Eagles
- Rhode Island: New England Patriots
- South Carolina: Dallas Cowboys
- South Dakota: Minnesota Vikings
- Tennessee: Tennessee Titans
- Texas: Dallas Cowboys
- Utah: Dallas Cowboys
- Vermont: New England Patriots
- Virginia: Washington Commanders
- Washington: Seattle Seahawks
- West Virginia: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Wisconsin: Green Bay Packers
- Wyoming: Denver Broncos
As an avid sports enthusiast with a deep understanding of the NFL landscape, I bring forth my expertise to delve into the intricacies of the article. My knowledge spans not only the teams and their performance but also the dynamics of fan engagement, as reflected in the data presented. Now, let's dissect the key concepts embedded in the article:
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Popularity Metrics: The article relies on Google data from 2017 through 2022 to gauge the popularity of NFL teams. This evidence suggests a comprehensive approach, considering a substantial time span to capture trends and fluctuations in fan interest. As a seasoned analyst, I appreciate the use of internet searches as a proxy for gauging team popularity, acknowledging the digital era's influence on sports engagement.
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"America's Team" Status: The term "America's Team" has long been associated with the Dallas Cowboys, and the article confirms this by presenting them as the most searched NFL team. This iconic status isn't just a matter of wins and losses but speaks to the team's cultural impact and broad national appeal.
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Regional Popularity: The breakdown of the most popular NFL teams by state offers a nuanced view of regional preferences. This data not only highlights the dominance of the Cowboys in multiple states but also showcases the Patriots' stronghold in New England and the Seahawks' popularity in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
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Variability Among States: The article emphasizes that popularity varies by state, shedding light on the diverse fan allegiances across the country. Teams like the Cowboys, Patriots, and Seahawks emerge as regional favorites, but others, like the New York Giants and Los Angeles teams, lack a singular state dominance.
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Franchise Representation: The article underlines that 25 out of the 32 NFL franchises made the cut in terms of being the most popular in at least one state. This statistic underscores the widespread and diverse fan base that the NFL enjoys across different regions of the United States.
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Team-Specific Insights: Beyond the overall rankings, the article provides specific insights into certain states, such as the Eagles in Pennsylvania, the Chiefs in Missouri and Kansas, and the Buccaneers in Florida. These details enrich the narrative, offering a closer look at the dynamics of team popularity.
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Dynamic Nature of Fandom: The use of the phrase "trending right now" hints at the dynamic nature of fan engagement. This acknowledges that popularity is not static and can evolve over time, reflecting current team performance, player narratives, and other influencing factors.
In conclusion, this article paints a vivid picture of the NFL's popularity landscape, backed by substantial Google data. The regional nuances, team-specific insights, and the dynamic nature of fandom collectively contribute to a well-rounded analysis of the NFL's fanbase dynamics.
