by The question “What state with three NFL teams?” is a fantastic trivia prompt because the correct answer isn’t just one state—it’s a three-way tie! When you consider the sheer popularity and economic impact of professional football, it’s clear that a select few large, passionate markets dominate the landscape. In fact, there are currently two major state with three NFL teams: California and Florida. This dominance highlights the population, wealth, and deep-seated football culture present in these powerhouse states.
The Golden State’s Gridiron Triple Threat
California is undeniably one state with three NFL teams, representing both the historic roots and the recent shift of the league. California’s teams span nearly the entire length of the state, covering some of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. The Los Angeles area alone is home to two franchises, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, who famously share the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium. This dual-team status in one city is a key part of what makes California a state with three NFL teams.
The third team, the iconic San Francisco 49ers, plays their home games just outside of San Francisco in Santa Clara. The geography of these three teams—one in Northern California and two in Southern California—ensures that nearly every corner of the vast state with three NFL teams has a local team to passionately support, cementing its status as a major league hub.
Florida: The Sunshine State’s Football Fortunes
The other major contender is Florida, which is equally proud to be a state with three NFL teams—and unlike California, Florida’s three teams are located in three entirely separate cities. The Miami Dolphins represent South Florida and have one of the most storied histories in the league, including the NFL’s only perfect season. Further north, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers give Central Florida fans a championship-winning team to cheer for.
Rounding out the trio are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold down the fort in the northern part of the state with three NFL teams. This spread across the peninsula highlights the intense, state-wide devotion to football that makes Florida such a lucrative market for the NFL. The fact that its teams are so geographically distinct is a unique characteristic of this specific state with three NFL teams.
The Surprising Third Answer: New York (With an Asterisk)
When you consider the traditional view of the league, a third state with three NFL teams often comes up: New York. However, this answer requires a significant asterisk due to a common misconception about team locations. The Buffalo Bills are the one team that definitively plays its home games within New York State, specifically in Orchard Park.
The confusion arises because the New York Giants and the New York Jets, despite their names, actually play their home games across the border in New Jersey, sharing MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Therefore, while New York has three NFL franchises that carry the state’s name, only one is technically playing in the state with three NFL teams geographically. This small detail is the unexpected twist in the trivia question, making the true geographical leaders California and Florida.
States That Come Close to Having Three
While only California and Florida can claim the title of state with three NFL teams where all three teams play within the state borders, several other large states come in a close second with two teams each. Texas, a massive and football-crazy state, hosts the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Ohio is another state with a dual rivalry, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns.
Other states with two teams include Pennsylvania (Eagles and Steelers) and the unique pairing in the Mid-Atlantic: New Jersey, which hosts the two “New York” teams (Giants and Jets), and Maryland, which is home to the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders. The continued competition for the title of state with three NFL teams underscores the dynamic nature of the NFL’s expansion and team relocation in search of the best and biggest markets.
Why Do These States Attract So Many Teams?
The reason California and Florida dominate the NFL landscape as the only states that are truly a state with three NFL teams comes down to three main factors: Population, Wealth, and Climate. Both states have massive, affluent populations that translate directly into large fan bases, high ticket sales, and lucrative local media deals. Furthermore, the generally warm climates in California and Florida make them ideal locations for football, allowing for high-quality outdoor stadiums and minimal weather-related disruptions.
