Which States Have No Professional Sports Team?
Twenty-four states have no NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL team — nearly half the country. The states without professional sports teams are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
| State | Population | Nearest Big Four Market | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5.1M | Atlanta Braves / Falcons / Hawks | 2.5 hrs from Birmingham |
| Alaska | 733K | Seattle Seahawks / Mariners / Kraken | Fly only |
| Arkansas | 3.1M | Memphis Grizzlies | 2 hrs from Little Rock |
| Connecticut | 3.6M | New York / Boston | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Delaware | 1.0M | Philadelphia Eagles / Phillies / 76ers / Flyers | 30 min |
| Hawaii | 1.4M | Los Angeles / San Francisco | Fly only |
| Idaho | 1.9M | Utah Jazz / Portland Trail Blazers | 3–4 hrs |
| Iowa | 3.2M | Chicago / Kansas City | 3–5 hrs |
| Kansas | 2.9M | Kansas City Chiefs / Royals | 30 min from KC border |
| Kentucky | 4.5M | Cincinnati / Nashville | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Maine | 1.4M | Boston Celtics / Red Sox / Patriots / Bruins | 2 hrs from Portland |
| Mississippi | 3.0M | Memphis Grizzlies / New Orleans Pelicans | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Montana | 1.1M | Seattle / Denver | 5–8 hrs |
| Nebraska | 2.0M | Kansas City Chiefs / Royals | 3 hrs from Omaha |
| New Hampshire | 1.4M | Boston Celtics / Red Sox / Patriots / Bruins | 1–1.5 hrs |
| New Mexico | 2.1M | Denver Broncos / Nuggets / Rockies / Avalanche | 6 hrs from Albuquerque |
| North Dakota | 780K | Minnesota Vikings / Twins / Timberwolves / Wild | 3.5 hrs from Fargo |
| Rhode Island | 1.1M | Boston Celtics / Red Sox / Patriots / Bruins | 45 min from Providence |
| South Carolina | 5.2M | Charlotte Hornets / Panthers | 1.5 hrs from Columbia |
| South Dakota | 910K | Minnesota Vikings / Twins / Timberwolves / Wild | 4 hrs from Sioux Falls |
| Vermont | 647K | Boston Celtics / Red Sox / Patriots / Bruins | 3 hrs from Burlington |
| Virginia | 8.6M | Washington Commanders / Nationals / Wizards / Capitals | 30 min–1 hr from NoVA |
| West Virginia | 1.8M | Pittsburgh Steelers / Pirates / Penguins | 1–2 hrs |
| Wyoming | 577K | Denver Broncos / Nuggets / Rockies / Avalanche | 2–3 hrs |
Why does Virginia have no professional sports team?
Virginia is the most surprising entry on this list — the 12th most populous state in the country with 8.6 million people, and home to a large portion of the Washington DC metro area. The Washington Capitals and Wizards came close to moving to Alexandria when Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a $2 billion entertainment complex deal in 2023. The Alexandria deal collapsed in 2024, and both teams signed leases to remain at Capital One Arena in Washington DC through 2050. Virginia remains teamless despite having the population to support a franchise.
The Commanders, Nationals, Capitals, and Wizards all have training facilities and front offices in Virginia, but their home games are played in DC and Maryland.
Why does Alabama have no professional sports team?
Alabama has a population of 5.1 million — large enough to support a major league franchise by most league standards — but no Big Four team has ever been based there. The likely reason is competition from college football, which dominates the state’s sports culture to a degree seen almost nowhere else in the country. Alabama and Auburn are two of the most followed college programs nationally, and they fill stadiums of 85,000 and 87,000 respectively. A professional franchise would compete for the same calendar and the same fan dollars.
Atlanta, roughly two and a half hours from Birmingham, absorbs much of northern Alabama’s professional sports market with the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Atlanta United.
Which states are closest to a professional sports team without having one?
Delaware and Rhode Island are the closest by distance. Delaware is roughly 30 minutes from Philadelphia and its four major league franchises — the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers. Rhode Island is about 45 minutes from Boston and its four major league teams — the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. Both states are tiny enough that residents can reach a Big Four venue faster than many people who live in states that technically have teams.
Kansas also deserves mention. Kansas City, Missouri sits just across the state line, and the Chiefs and Royals play at stadiums less than 30 minutes from the Kansas border. Many Kansas residents consider themselves Chiefs fans in every practical sense even though the team plays in Missouri.
Which states have never had a Big Four team?
Most of the 24 have never hosted a franchise. A few notable exceptions exist. Connecticut had the Hartford Whalers (NHL) from 1979 to 1997 before the franchise relocated to become the Carolina Hurricanes. Oklahoma had the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) from 2008 onward, but Oklahoma is not on this list — the Thunder remains based there. Kansas City, Kansas has never had a team separate from Kansas City, Missouri.
Do any of these states have professional sports teams outside the Big Four?
Several of the 24 states have teams in leagues outside the Big Four. Connecticut has no Big Four team but sits between New York and Boston, both of which have MLS clubs. Virginia has no Big Four team but hosts Washington Spirit (NWSL). Rhode Island, despite its size, has minor league baseball and hockey. The Big Four standard is the conventional definition, but “no professional sports team” depends entirely on which leagues you count.
What do fans in states without professional sports teams follow instead?
Almost all of them, and in several cases the college programs are more followed than any professional franchise in a neighboring state. Alabama’s college football culture has been documented nationally. Kentucky’s basketball programs at UK and Louisville are among the most historically successful in the country. Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones fill stadiums in a state with no pro franchise. Vermont’s ski racing program produces Olympic athletes. In states without professional sports, college athletics often fill the civic identity role that franchises play elsewhere.
Which states without professional sports teams are most likely to get one?
The most discussed candidates are markets that have lost teams or that meet league population thresholds:
Nevada landed the NFL’s Raiders in 2020 and the NHL’s Golden Knights in 2017, removing it from this list entirely. Oklahoma City has had the Thunder (NBA) since 2008, so Oklahoma doesn’t qualify either. Sacramento already has the Kings. None of those are expansion candidates — they’re existing markets.
Among the 24 remaining states, Virginia is the most likely candidate purely on population grounds, though the failed Alexandria deal suggests the political and financial hurdles remain high. Connecticut and Connecticut’s New Haven / Hartford corridor are sometimes discussed for a relocated franchise but face the geographic challenge of sitting between two of the largest sports markets in the country.
Sources: NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL official team directories. Population figures from US Census Bureau estimates.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
