---
title: Which U.S. Cities Deserve an NFL Team? Our Data Science Team Has Answers!
description: Discover which U.S. cities deserve an NFL team based on Polco's data-driven analysis of fan support, local enthusiasm, and stadium logistics.
---

[Polco News & Knowledge ](https://blog.polco.us)

# [Which U.S. Cities Deserve an NFL Team? Our Data Science Team Has Answers!](https://blog.polco.us/which-u.s.-cities-deserve-an-nfl-team-our-data-science-team-has-answers)

 Written by [Polco](https://blog.polco.us/author/polco) | February 6, 2025

With Super Bowl Sunday just days away, football fever is at an all-time high—so our data science team here at Polco decided to tackle (pun absolutely intended) a burning question: *Which cities across the United States deserve an NFL team but don’t actually have one?*

Under the leadership of our CTO, **Alex Pedersen**, our team of data aficionados analyzed a mountain of numbers to see which cities have the strongest potential to support a franchise. Note that we *didn’t* try to predict if these hypothetical teams would dominate on the field. It’s purely about fan support, local enthusiasm, stadium logistics, and the ability to create a lasting NFL culture.

## How We Ranked the Cities

Unlike expansion proposals that focus on potential profits or market size alone, we took a **holistic approach**—because let’s be honest, the NFL isn’t always predictable. 

Our analysis factored in:  
🏈 **Population dynamics** – How big is the city, and is it growing?  
🏈 **Proximity to other teams** – Would they have their own fanbase, or would they be competing with an existing team?  
🏈 **College football culture** – Passionate college football fans often make for dedicated NFL supporters.  
🏈 **Income levels & economic strength** – Can the city support an NFL team with ticket sales and sponsorships?  
🏈 **Other professional sports teams** – Does the city already support major league franchises?  
🏈 **Drinking habits** – Okay, this one was more for fun, but let’s be real—game day tailgating is a crucial part of football culture.

## Honorable Mentions

Before we unveil the Top 10, we have to give credit where credit’s due. Our honorable mentions go to:

- **San Diego, CA** – Chargers fans can’t forget the glory days, but the city’s history with losing a franchise cost it points this time around.
- **San Antonio, TX** – A strong market overshadowed by Dallas and Houston, San Antonio has all the makings for a devoted fan base.
- **Columbus, OH** – Just a bit too close to other NFL teams (sorry, Cleveland!). But with that rabid Buckeye spirit, who’s to say Browns fans wouldn’t jump ship?

## The Top 10 Cities That Should Have an NFL Team (But Don’t)

After sifting through an array of data points—*population, income levels, sports culture, stadium feasibility, and more*—we arrived at this list:

10. Birmingham, AL  
9. Tulsa, OK  
8. Portland, OR  
7. Omaha, NE  
6. Lincoln, NE  
5. Louisville, KY  
4. Oklahoma City, OK  
3. Orlando, FL  
2. St. Louis, MO  
1. Austin, TX 🎉

Congratulations to **Austin** for snagging the top spot! With Texas already a football hotbed, Austin’s explosive growth makes it a prime contender for the NFL’s next big move. And we have to tip our hats to **Nebraska** and **Oklahoma** for each placing *two* of their cities on the list. We even toyed with the concept of “regional” teams (think New England Patriots) for areas like Omaha/Lincoln and Tulsa/OKC.

So what pushed Austin ahead of the pack? Population growth, demographic shifts, vibrant university athletics, and a proven appetite for sports all combined to create the perfect football storm. As for Nebraska—no professional sports teams, plus *passionate* college football fans who’d likely fill any stadium. And if Orlando can support Mickey Mouse, why not NFL Sundays?

## Data Science in Action

This lighthearted study is just one of the many ways our data science team—which includes shoutouts to **Michelle Kobayashi**, **Erin Caldwell**, and **Parker Quinn**—can put their skills to work. Whether we’re analyzing community feedback for 450+ local governments or pondering football frontiers, our goal is the same: to leverage data to make informed, compelling insights.

## Dreaming of a New Franchise?

If you find yourself drafting a team name and logo for the “Austin Musicians” or the “Southeast Nebraska Scarecrows,” you’re not alone. We’ve had a blast exploring this topic, and we hope our analysis sparks some playful debate just in time for the big game. Who knows—maybe one day, you’ll be cheering on a brand-new franchise in one of these deserving cities.

Until then, enjoy the Super Bowl, and may the data always lead you to the end zone!

[View full post](https://blog.polco.us/which-u.s.-cities-deserve-an-nfl-team-our-data-science-team-has-answers)

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