The Hampton Roads metro region (including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Newport News) is one of the country's biggest population centers that has never had a major professional sports team in any of the Big 5 leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL). With a large military presence and a booming population (not to mention the numbers of tourists), the Hampton Roads metro offers both tradition and growth potential. Its proximity to D.C. and Charlotte, however, could pose overlap issues with team fanbases, but the hunger for pro football is real.
And if you're thinking, why does the 37th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. think it needs an NFL team...well, #38 is Jacksonville, Florida. So why not?
If not Virginia Beach, then perhaps North Carolina's Research Triangle? That isn't much farther away. The Carolinas already have the Panthers in Charlotte, but Raleigh has emerged as one of the South’s fastest-growing cities. The success of the NHL’s Hurricanes and college football dominance in the region prove there’s room for another major team. Raleigh’s combination of growth, affluence, and football passion makes it a sneaky strong candidate.
Hawaii may seem far-flung, but its football legacy is deep, from high school powerhouses to legends like Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa. Honolulu has hosted the Pro Bowl for decades, proving it can handle NFL events. Travel logistics are the trickiest hurdle for the city to overcome. But the city’s unique culture and tourism appeal could make it the league’s most exotic destination.
St. Louis has a proud football history, having supported both the Cardinals and later the Rams, and the city retains a passionate fan base still hungry for the NFL after the Rams’ departure to Los Angeles. It’s a large metro area with a tradition of strong sports culture. However, the fact that the Rams left due to stadium and market concerns could work against the city, as the league may not want to risk a repeat of low attendance or financial issues.
Riverside and the greater Inland Empire region represent a massive and fast-growing population center. It's often overshadowed by Los Angeles, but the area is large enough to support a professional team. Its location could capture fans who feel underserved by LA’s current two NFL franchises (which share the same home stadium). On the downside, the NFL might see Riverside as too close to the Rams and Chargers, creating significant overlap. Additionally, the area lacks a major football tradition and would require major investment in facilities.
Columbus is booming, both in population and economic development, and has one of the strongest football cultures in the nation thanks to Ohio State. The Buckeyes draw NFL-level crowds, proving the city could sustain pro football. Yet that passion for football might actually be a challenge, as Columbus also sits close to existing markets in Cincinnati and Cleveland. That makes territorial overlap a real concern.
Birmingham has deep football roots. The University of Alabama and Auburn dominate the culture statewide, and the city has a history of supporting smaller pro football leagues like the USFL and XFL. The state lives and breathes the sport, which could translate into strong attendance and fan loyalty. On the flip side, the dominance of college football might limit enthusiasm for an NFL team, and Birmingham’s metro population and corporate base are relatively small compared to other NFL cities.
London has been a long-standing dream for NFL international expansion, with a huge population, global exposure, and strong turnout for regular-season games played there annually. It’s a city with international tourism and enormous corporate sponsorship potential. However, logistical hurdles are enormous: travel time, player relocation challenges, and scheduling would be constant headaches. Some fans might also prefer the novelty of occasional games over a permanent franchise.
Sacramento is one of California’s fastest-growing cities and boasts a loyal fan base for its NBA Kings, showing that the city can support major-league franchises. Its central location could pull from Northern California markets outside of San Francisco (especially with the loss of Oakland's Raiders). But it sits in the shadow of San Francisco's 49ers, which could limit the demand. Sacramento also lacks the national corporate profile of other NFL cities.
Salt Lake City offers a fast-growing metro population with strong corporate investment and a passionate local sports culture, evidenced by the NBA’s Jazz and brand-new NHL expansion team. Its unique market, relatively isolated from other NFL teams, could give it a wide regional draw. However, the city’s relatively small size compared to other NFL markets and its more limited entertainment economy might make long-term franchise sustainability harder.
San Diego had a long NFL tradition with the Chargers and still harbors resentment over their move to Los Angeles, meaning a new team could inherit an established and loyal fan base. The city is large, wealthy, and a major tourism hub with a strong military presence. Yet the departure of the Chargers highlights the main drawback: struggles to finance and support an NFL-caliber stadium. Proximity to LA could again be an issue, especially now that the league has already committed two teams there.
Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, with an enormous population and proven NFL fandom through international games that consistently sell out. The cultural enthusiasm for American football is strong, and it would bring the league into a brand-new national market. It's no secret that the NFL has dreams of international expansion. The challenges include player concerns about relocating abroad and whether corporate sponsorship money could consistently match U.S. markets. The air pollution in Mexico City is also a major concern from players, as well as alerts they have been given before about eating local beef and drug testing results.
Portland has a reputation for fiercely loyal sports fans, as shown by their support for the Trail Blazers and Timbers. The metro population is large enough to sustain an NFL team, and its Pacific Northwest location would create a natural rivalry with Seattle. On the downside, it’s a smaller corporate market compared to most NFL cities, and the Seahawks already dominate the region, which could lead to divided loyalties. Stadium funding would also be a major hurdle.
Orlando’s status as a global tourism destination gives it a population and corporate base far larger than its official numbers suggest. With a history of supporting bowl games, the Pro Bowl, and a strong football culture in Florida, the market has proven interest in the sport. However, Orlando sits in a crowded football state alongside Miami, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville, which makes it unclear if an additional NFL team could carve out a unique fan base.
The Austin-San Antonio corridor is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, with a booming tech sector, vibrant culture, and immense football passion from the University of Texas and San Antonio’s history with pro sports. Its size and economic growth suggest it could sustain an NFL franchise. San Antonio already has the Alamodome, which, in theory, could host an NFL team. Austin, however, is the fastest-growing large city in the US which gets a disproportionate amount of "buzz" between the two cities. Overlap and territorial rights would be a major barrier, as would questions about which city would actually host the team.
