Known for its strong sporting culture, North America is home to several sports franchises, each with its own passionate fan base. However, some of these teams stand out for their consistent success, rich history, and massive cultural impact. As a result of that, they have built a huge cult-like followership and recognition both within the continent and beyond.
In this article, I’ll take you through the top three North America’s favorite franchises in each of the four biggest sports leagues played on the continent.
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in North America, particularly in the United States. Notably, 29 of the 30 teams that compete in the MLB, the highest-rated Baseball league in the world, are based in the US. Over the years, the biggest sports franchises among these teams have enjoyed passionate support that extends beyond the US and North America to several other countries globally.
These franchises are popular not just for their historical success but also for outstanding performances in recent games. They command unwavering fan loyalty, which is reflected in their huge attendance figures, merchandise sales, and massive social media following. Below are the top sports franchises of all time:
The Atlanta Braves were originally established as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871, making them one of the oldest continuously operating professional baseball franchises in the US. After relocating to Atlanta in 1966, the team adopted its current name following eight name changes.
The Braves enjoy a loyal and widespread fan base, particularly in Georgia and other Southeastern parts of the United States. They are also one of the most popular sports franchises on social media, with approximately 1.6 million followers on Twitter and nearly two million on Instagram. Since its establishment, the team has won 18 National League championships, 23 division championships, and four World Series titles in 1914, 1957, 1995, and most recently, 2021.
Grant Holmes picked up FIFTEEN strikeouts against the Rockies 🤯
(MLB x @loanDepot) pic.twitter.com/jHhSWgyvci
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2025
The 2021 resurgence, which ended a 26-year world title drought, played a major role in reigniting excitement among longtime fans and ushered in a new era built around emerging young talent. Led by breakout stars like National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., the team secured 104 wins in 2023, their highest since 1998. That season, they stood out as one of the best sports franchises in the league, winning their sixth consecutive National League East title and setting a record with 307 home runs in a single season.
The Rangers were founded as the Washington Senators in 1961 before moving to Arlington, Texas, in 1972. Since then, they’ve steadily built a strong, loyal fan base, but without much success in the postseason for a long time. They had won seven West Division titles and reached the World Series twice, but had never managed to clinch it. This, however, changed in 2023 when they finally won their first-ever World Series title, with a 4-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Sweep ✔️
3 straight series wins ✔️
Wins in 7 of our last 8 ✔️ #AllForTX pic.twitter.com/NzVVGEJ3z8— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 15, 2025
What made the victory even more remarkable was the path they took to get there. The Rangers entered the postseason as a Wild Card team, not even winning their division. They then went on to beat powerhouse teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles in road games. Notably, they won 11 of their season’s postseason road games to set a new MLB record. They also defeated the defending champion Houston Astros, considered the top sports franchise in Texas.
The Dodgers have been one of the most dominant teams in baseball for decades. They’ve won eight World Series titles, including the 2024 World Series, a record 25 National League pennants, and 22 NL West Division titles with eight consecutive wins. Also, they consistently compete for the postseason as strong favorites. So, it’s unsurprising that one of the most successful sports franchises in the MLB commands a massive national following.
He's back. pic.twitter.com/xDkVXEP8KF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2025
Only a few other teams can match the stars the Dodgers have produced in terms of legacy. Players like Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Fernando Valenzuela, Clayton Kershaw, and Mookie Betts, among others, are some of the biggest names in baseball, and they’ve all worn Dodger blue.
Also, the Dodgers’ home ground is currently the largest MLB stadium with a seating capacity of 56,000. It’s no wonder the team can boast of some of the highest average attendance figures in the league, drawing over 48,000 fans per game in 2024.
When you hear basketball, the NBA comes to mind first. The league is a global powerhouse with fan bases worldwide, and its top franchises are defined by legacy, star power, and market influence. Besides securing multiple championship titles, these teams boast immense star power, with legendary players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, whose impacts have redefined the sport forever. Their presence in major media markets also gives them unmatched visibility and influence, making them the most popular franchise in sports beyond basketball.
Let’s look at some of the most popular NBA franchises right now.
Based in San Francisco, the Warriors have always had strong support from fans on the West Coast. However, their popularity skyrocketed in the mid-2010s when they became the face of a new style of basketball, with players like Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and later Kevin Durant delivering fast, attack-oriented basketball at its finest.
1 HOUR of highlights from a dream 2014-15 season in the Bay 📽️ pic.twitter.com/bSd8HUw5p7
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 16, 2025
That team went on to win four NBA Championships between 2015 and 2022, while making five consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2019. Their achievements have even prompted the claim that they are whatever the historic Chicago Bulls and Lakers teams were in the 1990s and 1980s.
While the Golden State Warriors are far from a one-man franchise, Stephen Curry is the first name that comes to mind when the team is mentioned today. His impact and influence on the team and basketball as a whole are so profound that he’s become virtually inseparable from the Warriors’ identity.
The Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly one of the most successful NBA franchises of all time. They have won 17 NBA championships, which ties them with the Boston Celtics for the most in league history. They’ve also made 32 NBA Finals appearances, the most by any team.
ESPN
One of the reasons why the Lakers command so much esteem in the NBA is the caliber of players associated with them. The franchise has produced countless legends, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, who remains an active player on the team. Many fans worldwide consider LeBron the greatest player of all time, and his presence has brought even more global attention to the franchise.
Regarding global appeal, the Lakers have one of the biggest media followings in the NBA, with over 25 million followers on Instagram and over 13 million on X (formerly Twitter). They’re also one of the league’s most valuable franchises, with a market value estimated at around $7 billion.
The Miami Heat might not have as many championships as the Lakers or Celtics, but with the success they’ve achieved in just three decades of existence, they’re up there among the greats. The team won three NBA championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013. They’ve also made seven finals appearances, including recent trips in 2020 and 2023. A huge part of this success is usually credited to the leadership of Pat Riley, who brought a championship mindset to Miami both as a coach and now as team president.
This day in HEAT history: on June 9, 2012 we defeated Boston 101-88 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals 🏆 pic.twitter.com/tpC4nO6asI
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 9, 2025
Following its successes, the Miami Heat has successfully built a loyal following in Florida, even with the presence of the Orlando Magic, which has been around since 1989.
The National Football League is at the heart of American sports culture, boasting unmatched nationwide viewership, historic legacies, and immense brand value. Only a select few sports leagues can rival it in popularity. This fact has been made clear by the Super Bowl, the league’s championship game, which has become a cultural phenomenon drawing millions of viewers worldwide annually.
North America’s most popular NFL franchises are powerhouses with massive nationwide recognition and global appeal. Thanks to their deep-rooted fan engagement, they fill stadiums, drive merch sales, and spark national conversations every Sunday. Let’s take a look at some of them.
The Dallas Cowboys are easily one of the best and most successful NFL franchises of all time. Popularly known as the American Team, the team has lived up to its name, winning five Super Bowl championships, 10 conference championships, 25 division championships, and 36 playoff appearances. With this incredible success over the years, it’s unsurprising that the Cowboys enjoy massive followership within North America and globally. In the 2024 season, the team had an average home attendance of 92,972 per game, the highest in the league.
nfl.com
The Dallas Cowboys are also currently the most valuable NFL franchise, with Forbes estimating their worth at over $9 billion as of 2024. With that figure, they are also one of the greatest sports franchises of all time in terms of brand value.
The Kansas City Chiefs weren’t always the NFL powerhouse they are today. Sure, they had a respectable history and even a Super Bowl win back in the day, but it wasn’t until Patrick Mahomes took over that things really took off. Since he became the starting quarterback, the Chiefs have gone from being a decent team to a full-blown dynasty in the making.
Pressure makes diamonds. pic.twitter.com/g7yFuSms3P
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 17, 2025
Before Mahomes, the franchise had just one Super Bowl title. Now, they’ve got four, one in 2020 and then back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. They have also made four Super Bowl appearances in five years. That consistency has drawn more attention to the team and put them on the global map.
Off the field, their recent success has also translated into big financial success. According to Forbes, the Chiefs are now worth over $4 billion. To put that in perspective, they were valued at just $1.875 billion in 2016, before Mahomes entered the picture.
When you talk about NFL royalty, the New England Patriots are right at the top of the list as the best franchise in sports history. With six titles, they’re tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl championships in NFL history.
Coming live 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/HrF6IlaTH4
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 13, 2025
It’s impossible not to mention head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady when discussing the Patriots’ immense success. With their partnership, the Patriots were the gold standard of NFL excellence for about two decades, from 2001 to 2019. They made nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six of them. Their dominance at the time naturally translated to a massive followership, international recognition, and fan engagement. Even in the post-Brady era, the team’s legacy and recent performances continue to command significant attention and loyalty.
Ice hockey has a rich history in North America and has become more popular due to its recent high level of competitiveness. The sport is especially prominent in Canada and parts of the US, where the National Hockey League (NHL) commands a passionate following. These places are also home to successful NHL franchises with loyal regional and national fan bases.
Let’s examine the top three most popular NHL franchises in North America.
Founded in 1917, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the oldest NHL franchises, second only to the Montreal Canadiens. They have one of the richest histories in the NHL, with 13 Stanley Cup titles. Although they’ve suffered a 57-year drought, the team still enjoys massive followership from its incredibly loyal fan base, which is largely based in Canada.
LIVE | Brad Treliving Press Conference | May 29, 2025 https://t.co/dgsNjVsgJz
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 29, 2025
Notably, the Toronto Maple Leafs have recorded a reasonable level of success recently, winning their division championship in the 2020/21 and 2024/25 seasons. This makes a total of seven division championships to their name.
Like the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Montreal Canadiens, the Oldest NHL franchises, have also not won any Stanley Cups in recent years, as their last one was in 1993. However, they are still the most successful NHL teams in terms of accolades. They have won 24 Stanley Cups, the most in NHL history, eight conference and 24 division championships. Statistically, they are also ahead of every other NHL team in wins (3,556), ties (837), and points (8,155).
🗣OLÉ OLÉ OLÉ OLÉÉÉÉÉÉ#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/itIYTHm66r
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 25, 2021
A team with such a history will undoubtedly always command massive followership, and that’s exactly the case with the Canadiens. Despite the lack of recent trophies, they remain one of hockey’s most beloved and respected franchises.
The Montreal Canadiens are especially revered in Quebec, where hockey is part of the culture. This team enjoys massive game attendance at the 21000 capacity Bell Centre, selling out all 41 home games in the 2024–25 season.
The Edmonton Oilers are one of Canada’s most iconic hockey franchises. Founded in 1971 and joining the NHL in 1979, the team quickly rose to dominance in the 1980s, winning five Stanley Cups within the next ten years. They also won six conferences, two Presidents’ Trophies, and six division championships within that period.
Just nasty, tbh 😤 pic.twitter.com/KRcj2GF3El
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 3, 2024
However, after the 1989/1990 season, they haven’t won any more Stanley Cups, division championships, or Presidents’ Trophies. They, however, won two conference championships, one in the 2005/06 season and one recently in the 2023/24 season.
Their recent resurgence can largely be credited to the emergence of Connor McDavid, who joined the franchise in 2015. His arrival was a turning point, not just for the team’s performance, but for its identity. The Oilers are becoming title contenders once again.
One of the symbols of North America’s rich sporting culture is its collection of some of the best sports-related franchises. From the NBA`s Lakers to MLB`s Los Angeles Dodgers, the NFL`s Patriots, and the NHL`s Maple Leafs, the continent is home to several popular and successful teams across the biggest leagues in the world. These franchises stand out not just for championships and star power, but also for their rich history, cultural impact, and unwavering fan support both nationwide and globally.
