Major professional sports teams of the United States and Canada

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This article is a list of teams that play in one of the six major sports leagues in the United States and Canada: the Canadian Football League (CFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL) and the National Hockey League (NHL).

Est. represents the first year the team played in its current media market. For brevity, only the most recent names for teams that have had multiple nicknames in their current media market are listed. Future expansion teams whose inaugural seasons are confirmed are also included in this list.

Overview of American and Canadian professional sports teams
Team Venue City State/Province League Est. Franchise notes Ref
Anaheim Ducks Honda Center Anaheim California NHL 1993 [1]
Arizona Cardinals State Farm Stadium Glendale Arizona NFL 1988 Previously the Chicago Cardinals (1920–1959) and St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1987).
Arizona Coyotes Mullett Arena Tempe NHL 1996 Previously the Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996). [1]
Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field Phoenix MLB 1998
Atlanta Braves Truist Park Cumberland Georgia 1966 Previously the Boston Braves (1871–1952) and Milwaukee Braves (1953–1965).
Atlanta Falcons Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta NFL 1966
Atlanta Hawks State Farm Arena NBA 1968 Previously the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1951), Milwaukee Hawks (1951–1955) and St. Louis Hawks (1955–1968).
Atlanta United FC Mercedes-Benz Stadium MLS 2017
Austin FC Q2 Stadium Austin Texas 2021 Expansion team that began play in 2021.
Baltimore Orioles Oriole Park at Camden Yards Baltimore Maryland MLB 1954 Previously the Milwaukee Brewers (1901) and St. Louis Browns (1902–1953).
Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium NFL 1996 The Baltimore Ravens were created from the corporate structure of the previous season's Cleveland Browns. The NFL considers the Ravens to have been an expansion franchise. See also Cleveland Browns relocation controversy.
BC Lions BC Place Vancouver British Columbia CFL 1954 [2]
Boston Bruins TD Garden Boston Massachusetts NHL 1924 [1]
Boston Celtics NBA 1946
Boston Red Sox Fenway Park MLB 1901
Brooklyn Nets Barclays Center New York City New York NBA 1967 Previously known as the New Jersey Americans (1967–1968), New York Nets (1968–1977) and New Jersey Nets (1977–2012).
Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium Orchard Park NFL 1960
Buffalo Sabres KeyBank Center Buffalo NHL 1970 [1]
Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary Alberta 1980 Previously the Atlanta Flames (1972–1980).|[1][3]
Calgary Stampeders McMahon Stadium CFL 1945 [4]
Carolina Hurricanes PNC Arena Raleigh North Carolina NHL 1997[n 1] Previously the Hartford Whalers (1972–1997). [1]
Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium Charlotte NFL 1995[n 2]
Charlotte Hornets Spectrum Center NBA 2004 As part of a collaboration between this franchise, the New Orleans Pelicans and the NBA, the history of the original Charlotte Hornets (1988–2002) and the history of the Charlotte Bobcats are considered part of the history of the current Hornets franchise. [5]
Charlotte FC Bank of America Stadium MLS 2022 Expansion team that began play in 2022.
Chicago Bears Soldier Field Chicago Illinois NFL 1921 Previously the Decatur Staleys (1920).
Chicago Blackhawks United Center NHL 1926 [1]
Chicago Bulls NBA 1966
Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field MLB 1870
Chicago Fire FC Soldier Field MLS 1997
Chicago White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field MLB 1901
Cincinnati Bengals Paycor Stadium Cincinnati Ohio NFL 1968
Cincinnati Reds Great American Ball Park MLB 1882
FC Cincinnati TQL Stadium MLS 2019
Cleveland Browns FirstEnergy Stadium Cleveland NFL 1946 In 1996, the Browns corporate structure was transferred to Baltimore, Maryland, to become the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL considers the Browns to have been inactive from 1996 until the reestablishment of football in Cleveland in the 1999 NFL season. See also Cleveland Browns relocation controversy.
Cleveland Cavaliers Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse NBA 1970
Cleveland Guardians Progressive Field MLB 1901 Previously the Cleveland Indians (1915–2021). Club announced on December 14, 2020 that it would change the name "Indians" amidst the controversy surrounding it. The new team name "Guardians" was officially announced on July 23, 2021. [6][7]
Colorado Avalanche Ball Arena Denver Colorado NHL 1995 Previously the Quebec Nordiques (1972–1995). [1]
Colorado Rapids Dick's Sporting Goods Park Commerce City MLS 1996
Colorado Rockies Coors Field Denver MLB 1993
Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Arena Columbus Ohio NHL 2000 [1]
Columbus Crew SC Lower.com Field MLS 1996
FC Dallas Toyota Stadium Frisco Texas 1996
Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium Arlington NFL 1960
Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Center Dallas NBA 1980
Dallas Stars NHL 1993 Previously the Minnesota North Stars (1967–1993). [1]
D.C. United Audi Field Washington District of Columbia MLS 1996
Denver Broncos Empower Field at Mile High Denver Colorado NFL 1960
Denver Nuggets Ball Arena NBA 1967
Detroit Lions Ford Field Detroit Michigan NFL 1934 Previously the Portsmouth Spartans (1929–1933).
Detroit Pistons Little Caesars Arena NBA 1957 Previously the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957).
Detroit Red Wings NHL 1926 [1]
Detroit Tigers Comerica Park MLB 1901
Edmonton Elks Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton Alberta CFL 1949 Previously the Edmonton Eskimos (1949–2019). Club announced on July 21, 2020 it had retired its "Eskimos" name amid the controversy over it. In 2021, the club officially changed its name to the Elks. [8][9][10]
Edmonton Oilers Rogers Place NHL 1972 [1]
Florida Panthers FLA Live Arena Sunrise Florida 1993 [1]
Golden State Warriors Chase Center San Francisco California NBA 1962 Previously the Philadelphia Warriors (1946–1962).
Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field Green Bay Wisconsin NFL 1919
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Tim Hortons Field Hamilton Ontario CFL 1950 Formed by the merger of the Hamilton Tigers (1869) and Hamilton Wildcats (1941).
Houston Astros Minute Maid Park Houston Texas MLB 1962 Competed in the National League from 1962 to 2012 and currently in the American League from 2013 to the present.
Houston Dynamo FC Shell Energy Stadium MLS 2006 Formed from the roster of the San Jose Earthquakes, which went on hiatus.
Houston Rockets Toyota Center NBA 1971 Previously the San Diego Rockets (1967–1971).
Houston Texans NRG Stadium NFL 2002
Indiana Pacers Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis Indiana NBA 1967
Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium NFL 1984 Previously the Baltimore Colts (1953–1983). See also Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars TIAA Bank Field Jacksonville Florida 1995
Sporting Kansas City Children's Mercy Park Kansas City Kansas MLS 1996 Played in Kansas City, Missouri 1996–2008.
Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City Missouri NFL 1963 Previously the Dallas Texans (1960–1962).
Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium MLB 1969
LA Galaxy Dignity Health Sports Park Carson California MLS 1996
Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium Paradise Nevada NFL 2020 Previously the Oakland Raiders (1960–1982 and 1995–2019) and Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994). See also Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Angels Angel Stadium Anaheim California MLB 1961 Previously known as the California Angels from 1965 to 1996 and the Anaheim Angels from 1997 to 2004.
Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium Inglewood NFL 2017 Played inaugural 1960 season in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego, where they played as the San Diego Chargers from 1961–2016.
Los Angeles Clippers Crypto.com Arena Los Angeles NBA 1984 Previously the Buffalo Braves (1970–1978) and San Diego Clippers (1978–1984).
Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium MLB 1958 Previously the Brooklyn Dodgers (1884–1957).
Los Angeles FC Banc of California Stadium MLS 2018
Los Angeles Kings Crypto.com Arena NHL 1967 [1]
Los Angeles Lakers NBA 1960 Previously the Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1960).
Los Angeles Rams SoFi Stadium Inglewood NFL 2016 Previously the Cleveland Rams (1937–1945) and St. Louis Rams (1995–2015). Previously located in Los Angeles from 1946–1994.
Memphis Grizzlies FedExForum Memphis Tennessee NBA 2001 Previously the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995–2001). See also Vancouver Grizzlies relocation to Memphis.
Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens Florida NFL 1966
Miami Heat Kaseya Center Miami NBA 1988
Inter Miami CF DRV PNK Stadium Fort Lauderdale MLS 2020
Miami Marlins loanDepot Park Miami MLB 1993 !scope="row"|
Milwaukee Brewers American Family Field Milwaukee Wisconsin 1970 Previously the Seattle Pilots (1969). Competed as an American League team from 1970 to 1997 and currently compete in the National League from 1998 to the present.|!scope="row"|
Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum NBA 1968
Minnesota Timberwolves Target Center Minneapolis Minnesota 1989
Minnesota Twins Target Field MLB 1961 Previously the Washington Senators (1901–1960).
Minnesota United FC Allianz Field St. Paul MLS 2017
Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium Minneapolis NFL 1961
Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center St. Paul NHL 2000 [1]
Montreal Alouettes Percival Molson Memorial Stadium Montreal Quebec CFL 1946/1996 The CFL considers all incarnations of the Alouettes one franchise. Current incarnation is a result of a move by the Baltimore Stallions (1994–1995) ownership, but the Stallions are not considered part of the Alouettes franchise.
Montreal Canadiens Bell Centre NHL 1909 [1]
CF Montréal Saputo Stadium MLS 2012 !scope="row"|
Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena Nashville Tennessee NHL 1998 [1]
Nashville SC Geodis Park MLS 2020
New England Patriots Gillette Stadium Foxborough Massachusetts NFL 1960
New England Revolution MLS 1996
New Jersey Devils Prudential Center Newark New Jersey NHL 1982 Previously the Kansas City Scouts (1974–1976) and Colorado Rockies (1976–1982). [1]
New Orleans Pelicans Smoothie King Center New Orleans Louisiana NBA 2002 Temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City (2005–2007).
New Orleans Saints Caesars Superdome NFL 1967 !scope="row"|
New York City FC Yankee Stadium New York City New York MLS 2015
New York Giants MetLife Stadium East Rutherford New Jersey NFL 1925
New York Islanders UBS Arena Elmont New York NHL 1972 [1]
New York Jets MetLife Stadium East Rutherford New Jersey NFL 1960
New York Knicks Madison Square Garden New York City New York NBA 1946
New York Mets Citi Field MLB 1962
New York Rangers Madison Square Garden NHL 1926 [1]
New York Red Bulls Red Bull Arena Harrison New Jersey MLS 1996
New York Yankees Yankee Stadium New York City New York MLB 1903
Oakland Athletics Oakland Coliseum Oakland California 1968 Previously the Philadelphia Athletics (1901–1954) and Kansas City Athletics (1955–1967).
Oklahoma City Thunder Paycom Center Oklahoma City Oklahoma NBA 2008 Previously the Seattle SuperSonics (1967–2008). See also Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City.
Orlando City SC Exploria Stadium Orlando Florida MLS 2015
Orlando Magic Amway Center NBA 1989
Ottawa Redblacks TD Place Stadium Ottawa Ontario CFL 1876/2002/2014 Since 2017, the CFL has treated all Ottawa-based teams in the CFL and its predecessor leagues as a single entity for record-keeping purposes. The previous teams were the Ottawa Rough Riders (1876–1996) and Ottawa Renegades (2002–2005). [11][12]
Ottawa Senators Canadian Tire Centre NHL 1992 [1]
Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia Pennsylvania NBA 1963 Previously the Syracuse Nationals (1949–1963).
Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Financial Field NFL 1933
Philadelphia Flyers Wells Fargo Center NHL 1967 [1]
Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park MLB 1883
Philadelphia Union Subaru Park Chester MLS 2010
Phoenix Suns Footprint Center Phoenix Arizona NBA 1968
Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh Pennsylvania NHL 1967 [1]
Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park MLB 1882
Pittsburgh Steelers Acrisure Stadium NFL 1933
Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center Portland Oregon NBA 1970
Portland Timbers Providence Park MLS 2011
Real Salt Lake Rio Tinto Stadium Sandy Utah MLS 2005
Sacramento Kings Golden 1 Center Sacramento California NBA 1985 Previously the Rochester Royals (1948–1957), Cincinnati Royals (1957–1972) and Kansas City Kings (1972–1985).
St. Louis Blues Enterprise Center St. Louis Missouri NHL 1967 [1]
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium MLB 1882
St. Louis City SC CityPark MLS 2023 Expansion team that began play in 2023.
San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center San Antonio Texas NBA 1973 Previously the Dallas Chaparrals (1967–1973).
San Diego FC Snapdragon Stadium San Diego California MLS 2025 Expansion team that will begin play in 2025. [13]
San Diego Padres Petco Park MLB 1969
San Francisco 49ers Levi's Stadium Santa Clara NFL 1946
San Francisco Giants Oracle Park San Francisco MLB 1958 Previously the New York Giants (1883–1957).
San Jose Earthquakes PayPal Park San Jose MLS 1996 The franchise was placed on hiatus in 2006, with the roster moving to Houston, Texas to become the Dynamo, and reactivated in 2008.
San Jose Sharks SAP Center at San Jose NHL 1991 [1]
Saskatchewan Roughriders Mosaic Stadium Regina Saskatchewan CFL 1910
Seattle Kraken Climate Pledge Arena Seattle Washington NHL 2021 Expansion team that began play in 2021. [14]
Seattle Mariners T-Mobile Park MLB 1977
Seattle Seahawks Lumen Field NFL 1976
Seattle Sounders FC MLS 2009
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium Tampa Florida NFL 1976
Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena NHL 1992 [1]
Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field St. Petersburg MLB 1998
Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium Nashville Tennessee NFL 1997[n 3] Previously the Houston Oilers (1960–1996).
Texas Rangers Globe Life Field Arlington Texas MLB 1972 Previously the Washington Senators (1961–1971)
Toronto Argonauts BMO Field Toronto Ontario CFL 1873 [15]
Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre MLB 1977
Toronto FC BMO Field MLS 2007
Toronto Maple Leafs Scotiabank Arena NHL 1923 [1]
Toronto Raptors NBA 1995
Utah Jazz Vivint Arena Salt Lake City Utah 1979 Previously the New Orleans Jazz (1974–1979).
Vancouver Canucks Rogers Arena Vancouver British Columbia NHL 1970 [1]
Vancouver Whitecaps FC BC Place MLS 2011
Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena Paradise Nevada NHL 2017 Expansion team that began play in 2017; first major professional sports team in Nevada. [16][17]
Washington Capitals Capital One Arena Washington District of Columbia 1974 [1]
Washington Commanders FedExField Landover Maryland NFL 1937 Previously the Boston Braves (1932–1933), Boston Redskins (1933–1936), Washington Redskins (1937–2019), and the Washington Football Team (2020–2021). The team retired its "Redskins" name and logo in July 2020 amidst corporate financial pressure resulting from the controversy over it. They were rebranded as the Commanders in 2022. [18][19]
Washington Nationals Nationals Park Washington District of Columbia MLB 2005 Previously the Montreal Expos (1969–2004). During the franchise's last two seasons as the Expos, it split its home schedule between Montreal and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Washington Wizards Capital One Arena NBA 1973 Previously the Chicago Packers/Zephyrs (1961–1963), Baltimore Bullets (1963–1973), Capital Bullets (1973–1974) and Washington Bullets (1974–1997).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers IG Field Winnipeg Manitoba CFL 1930 [20]
Winnipeg Jets Canada Life Centre NHL 2011 Previously the Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2011). [1]
  1. ^ The Hurricanes did not play in Raleigh until 1999, when the venue now known as PNC Arena opened. The team, as planned, played its first two North Carolina seasons in Greensboro.
  2. ^ The Panthers played their inaugural 1995 season on the campus of Clemson University in South Carolina while the venue now known as Bank of America Stadium was being completed in Charlotte.
  3. ^ The team did not play in Nashville until 1998. When relocating the franchise from Houston to Nashville, owner Bud Adams originally planned for the team to play both the 1997 and 1998 seasons in Memphis as the Tennessee Oilers during the construction of what is now known as Nissan Stadium. Low attendance led Adams to move the team to Nashville a year earlier than planned, playing in Vanderbilt Stadium until the new venue was completed for the 1999 season.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Teams". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, LP. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  2. ^ "Historical timeline: 1950s". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  3. ^ "Calgary Flames history". Calgary Flames Hockey Club. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  4. ^ "The Stamps story". Calgary Stampeders Football Club. Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  5. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas". NBA.com/Hornets. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. May 20, 2014. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  6. ^ "Cleveland Indians announce decision to change current team name". CLEGuardians.com (Press release). MLB Advanced Media. December 14, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  7. ^ Bell, Mandy (July 23, 2021). "New for '22: Meet the Cleveland Guardians". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "EDMONTON FOOTBALL TEAM DISCONTINUES USE OF THE NAME ESKIMOS". CFL.ca (Press release). CFL Enterprises, LP. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  9. ^ "EDMONTON FOOTBALL TEAM DISCONTINUES USE OF THE NAME ESKIMOS". Esks.com. CFL Enterprises, LP. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  10. ^ "New name. Same game. We are the Edmonton Elks". Esks.com. CFL Enterprises, LP. June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  11. ^ "CFL GUIDE & RECORD BOOK: 2017 EDITION" (PDF). cloudfront.net. p. 155. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  12. ^ "Ottawa officially announces REDBLACKS as team name". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  13. ^ "Major League Soccer awards expansion team to San Diego". MLSSoccer.com (Press release). MLS Digital. May 18, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  14. ^ Condor, Bob (July 23, 2020). "Say It with Us: Release the Kraken!". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  15. ^ "Historical timeline: 1870s". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  16. ^ Rosen, Dan (June 22, 2016). "Las Vegas awarded NHL franchise". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, LP. Retrieved June 24, 2016. The NHL becomes the first of the four major North American professional sports leagues to put a team in Las Vegas.
  17. ^ "Introducing the Vegas Golden Knights". NHL.com/GoldenKnights. NHL Enterprises LP. November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  18. ^ "Statement From The Washington Football Team". Commanders.com (Press release). NFL Enterprises. July 13, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  19. ^ "The Washington Football Team is now the Washington Commanders". Commanders.com (Press release). NFLE Enterprises, LLC. February 2, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  20. ^ "Historical timeline 1930s". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on 2011-10-20. Retrieved 2013-06-05.