Which NFL team is the most popular team?
No one can dispute the popularity of the NFL as a sport. In 2023, an average NFL game drew nearly 18 million viewers. This figure almost doubles during the playoffs, while the number of fans watching the Super Bowl can get well over a hundred million. To be specific, the 2024 Super Bowl set a record-breaking 123 million viewers in the United States alone, leaving every other major sports finals event in the dust.
Of course, not all of the 32 NFL teams contribute equally to the popularity of the sport. Some fill up the stadiums way more than others, bringing together fans from all over the country. In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular NFL teams of the moment and identify the reasons behind their immense fan base.
- Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs are the hottest team in football right now, so it should come as no surprise that they’re at the top of this list. They owe much of their popularity to Patrick Mahomes, who led them to three Super Bowl titles in the last five years (2020, 2023, and 2024), taking home the title of the Super Bowl MVP in each one. Kansas City also had a Super Bowl appearance in 2021, but they lost that one to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Nearly half of survey respondents had a favorable opinion of the Chiefs, more so than any other team in the league. The team also has over 10 million followers on all the leading social media platforms combined. Considering they are the defending champs led by one of the biggest superstars in modern football, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to remain the NFL’s sweetheart for at least a few more seasons.
- Dallas Cowboys
We may have chosen the Kansas City Chiefs as the NFL’s most popular team right now, but if we were going for the long run, we would have to pick the Dallas Cowboys.
Often called the “America’s Team,” the Cowboys have built their brand better than any other NFL franchise over the years. They remain beloved among football fans across the country despite not having participated in the Super Bowl for nearly 30 years. Of course, it helps that the team is based in the second-most populous city of the second-most populous state in the country.
Texans have divided loyalties between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. That said, the Cowboys have way more fans due to their long history. Namely, the team was founded in 1960, while the Texans only started playing in 2002 when they were introduced as an expansion team.
The massive popularity of the Dallas Cowboys becomes more evident when you look at the number of their social media followers, which is slowly reaching 20 million across all major platforms, surpassing other NFL franchises.
- New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are another obvious entry on this list. The team’s popularity is founded on its sustained success and iconic moments from the last few decades.
Led by one of the best coaches of all time, Bill Belichick, and the universally agreed-upon G.O.A.T. Tom Brady, the Patriots have won six Super Bowl titles between 2001 and 2019, becoming the most successful team in modern NFL history.
One of the best moments in football was their 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl LI, which has helped build their “never-say-die” reputation and convinced even neutral fans to fall in love with the team. Even when they were not winning titles, the Patriots were always competitive, continually reaching the playoffs and giving other top teams a run for their money.
Additionally, the Patriots’ solid fan base across New England (from Maine to Massachusetts), combined with large global support, has solidified their fame. The Pats have more than 17 million followers on social media and are only behind the Dallas Cowboys on that front.
- Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were founded in 1919, making them one of the oldest professional football teams still in existence. They have a rich history that includes 13 championship wins, more than any other NFL franchise, and four Super Bowl titles in 1967, 1968, 1997, and 2011.
The Packers are a fan-driven team in every sense of the word. Namely, the fans hold shares of the franchise — there are over five million shares owned by more than 500,000 people. Naturally, this creates a deep connection between the team and its supporters, fostering loyalty that is hard to match.
The Packers have cultivated a mystique among NFL enthusiasts thanks to passionate fans and the iconic Lambeau Field, known for its frigid conditions. Of course, Green Bay has hosted a ton of talent over its century-long existence, with superstars such as Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers all contributing to the team’s overall success.
- San Francisco 49ers
A proud history, moments of great success, and a long list of iconic players helped make the San Francisco 49ers one of the most popular teams in the NFL. This following could have been even bigger if the 49ers hadn’t lost all of their three Super Bowl matchups over the last decade.
Despite this, the team is third on the all-time Super Bowl title list with five championships, all won between 1982 and 1995. Legends like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young solidified the team’s place in the upper echelon of NFL history. The recent playoff runs have made the 49ers popular once more, with as many as 48% of all surveyors favoring the team, just one percent behind the top-ranked Kansas City Chiefs.
Furthermore, the 49ers have won the hearts of many fans due to their innovative playstyle, specifically the West Coast Offense developed under coach Bill Walsh. Of course, being based in one of the most populous cities on the West Coast has also helped them gain fame.
The team’s move to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara modernized their image while maintaining ties to the San Francisco Bay Area, ensuring continued national and regional popularity.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are another historic football team with a strong reputation. The Steelers were founded in 1933 and are mostly known for their dominance during the 1970s, during which they won four of their six Super Bowl titles.
Old-school NFL fans probably remember the team’s famed Steel Curtain defense powered by star players like Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and Mean Joe Greene. The team’s commitment to defensive excellence and gritty, hard-nosed plays has endeared them to fans well beyond the Pittsburgh region.
The Steelers also have a strong tradition of continuity, with long-tenured coaches like Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin shaping the team’s identity.
- Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are another team with a long tradition stretching back almost a century. Nevertheless, the real reason they belong to this top list is due to their recent success and maiden Super Bowl victory in 2018.
The Eagles’ triumph in Super Bowl LII, highlighted by the Philly Special play, captured the hearts of fans throughout the nation and marked a significant achievement for the franchise. The team came back to play in the Super Bowl LVII in 2023, but this time it came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Philadelphia has some of the most boisterous fans in the country, known for their fight song and tailgating culture. In the meantime, the team’s gritty underdog mentality has produced some of the most dramatic games in recent years and has further endeared them to NFL enthusiasts both in and outside the United States.
Who Is the Least Popular Team in the NFL?
So, we went over the most popular NFL franchises, but let’s take a moment to look at the other side and find out which team is the least liked.
According to some research, this infamous title belongs to the Indianapolis Colts. The team from Indiana is the least searched for by fans by a large margin and has one of the lowest jersey sales in the country. This lack of popularity is not really due to the team’s poor performance. The Colts have won two championship titles in 1970 and 2006 and have reached the Super Bowl as recently as 2010.
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