Cities' World Championships, 1871-2025

Just in case someone feels like calling Los Angeles "The City of Champions."

This includes the big four: Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL, counting a Super Bowl won in January toward the previous calendar year, so the 1969 Jets are 1968 World Champions), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL).

It also includes the pre-NBA National Basketball League from 1936 to 1946, the American Basketball League from 1926 to 1946, Stanley Cups won in the pre-NHL era from 1893 to 1917, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the old North American Soccer League (NASL, 1968 to 1984), and Major League Soccer (MLS Cup). It does not, however, include the Canadian Football League (CFL)'s Grey Cup; or "rebel leagues" like the AAFC, the AFL, the ABA and the WHA.

Ties will be broken by the most recent title.

For NFL teams, in the Super Bowl era, 1967-onward, the years listed will be the calendar year for the regular season, not the calendar year of the Super Bowl. In other words: The Philadelphia Eagles are the 2025 Super Bowl winners, but that makes them the 2024 NFL Champions.

Also, despite what we now know to be true, and what we suspect to be true, none of these titles will be given an asterisk. Giving Boston a higher ranking than they deserve.

1. New York (includes North Jersey & Long Island), 74: 

* Baseball: New York Giants, 1888, 1889, 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933 and 1954; Brooklyn Dodgers, 1899, 1900 and 1955; New York Yankees, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009; New York Mets, 1969 and 1986.

* Football: New York Giants, 1927, 1934, 1938, 1956, 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2011; New York Jets, 1968.

* Basketball: Original Celtics, 1927 and 1928; Brooklyn Visitations, 1931 and 1935; Jersey Reds, 1938; New York Jewels, 1939; New York Knicks, 1970 and 1973; New York Liberty, 2024. The team now known as the Brooklyn Nets lost NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, as the New Jersey Nets; and won the ABA Championship in 1974 and 1976, as the New York Nets.

* Hockey: New York Rangers, 1928, 1933, 1940 and 1994; New York Islanders, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; New Jersey Devils, 1995, 2000 and 2003.

* Soccer: New York Cosmos, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1982; New York City FC, 2021. The New York Red Bulls lost the MLS Cup Final in 2008 and 2024.

2. Boston (includes Foxboro, Providence, Hartford & Mohegan Sun), 55: Boston Braves, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1883, 1884, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1897, 1898 and 1914; Boston Red Sox, 1903, 1904, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018; New England Patriots, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018; Boston Celtics, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 and 2024; Boston Bruins, 1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972 and 2011.

The Connecticut Sun lost the WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005. The New England Revolution have lost 5 MLS Cup Finals, most recently in 2014.

3. Montreal, 41: Montreal AAA, 1893, 1894, 1902 and 1903; Montreal Victorias, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898 and 1901; Montreal Shamrocks, 1899 and 1900; Montreal Wanderers, 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910; Montreal Canadiens, 1916, 1924, 1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993; Montreal Maroons, 1926 and 1935.

The Montreal Expos never reached the World Series. CF Montréal, formerly the Montreal Impact, have never reached the MLS Cup Final. The Montreal Alouettes have won 8 Grey Cups, most recently in 2023.

4. Los Angeles (includes Anaheim & Inglewood), 39: Los Angeles Dodgers, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, 2020, 2024, 2025; Los Angeles Angels, 2002; Los Angeles Rams, 1951 and 2021; Los Angeles Raiders, 1983; Los Angeles Lakers, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2020; Los Angeles Sparks, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2016; Anaheim Ducks, 2007; Los Angeles Kings, 2012 and 2014; Los Angeles Aztecs, 1974; L.A. Galaxy, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2024, plus the CONCACAF Champions League in 2000; Los Angeles FC, 2022.

The Los Angeles Clippers have never reached the NBA Finals.

5. Chicago, 38: Chicago Cubs, 1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1907, 1908 and 2016; Chicago White Sox, 1906, 1917 and 2005; Chicago Bears, 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963 and 1985; Chicago Cardinals, 1925 and 1947; Chicago American Gears, 1947; Chicago Bulls, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998; Chicago Sky, 2021; Chicago Blackhawks, 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013 and 2015; Chicago Sting, 1981 and 1984; Chicago Fire, 1998.

6. Philadelphia (includes South Jersey & Delaware), 30: Philadelphia Athletics (National Association version), 1871; Philadelphia Athletics (American League version), 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929 and 1930; Philadelphia Phillies, 1980 and 2008; Frankford Yellow Jackets, 1926; Philadelphia Eagles, 1948, 1949, 1960, 2017 and 2024; Philadelphia Warriors (formerly the ABL's SPHAs), 1934, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1947 and 1956; Wilmington Bombers, 1942 and 1944; Philadelphia 76ers, 1967 and 1983 Philadelphia Flyers, 1974 and 1975; Philadelphia Atoms, 1973.

The Philadelphia Union reached the 2022 MLS Cup Final, but lost. Philadelphia is scheduled to get a WNBA team in 2030, upon the completion of a new arena.

7. Detroit (includes Pontiac & Auburn Hills), 26: Detroit Wolverines, 1887; Detroit Tigers, 1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984; Detroit Lions, 1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957; Detroit Pistons, 1989, 1990 and 2004; Detroit Shock, 2003, 2006 and 2008; Detroit Red Wings, 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.

Detroit is scheduled to get a WNBA team in 2029.

8. San Francisco (includes Oakland & San Jose), 22: Oakland Athletics, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989; San Francisco Giants, 2010, 2012 and 2014; Oakland Raiders, 1976 and 1980 (1983 doesn't count, they were then representing Los Angeles); San Francisco 49ers, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994; Golden State Warriors, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022; San Jose Earthquakes, 2001 and 2003.

The Golden State Valkyries are a new WNBA team. The San Jose Sharks reached the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals, but lost. The Oakland Seals, a.k.a. the California Golden Seals, never reached the Finals.

9. Milwaukee (includes Green Bay, Oshkosh & Sheboygan), 19: Milwaukee Braves, 1957; Green Bay Packers, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996, and 2011; Oshkosh All-Stars, 1941 and 1942; Sheboygan Redskins, 1943; Milwaukee Bucks, 1971 and 2021.

The Milwaukee Brewers have won just 1 Pennant, and lost the World Series.

10. Toronto, 19: Toronto Blue Jays, 1992 and 1993; Toronto Raptors, 2019; Toronto Blueshirts, 1914; Toronto Maple Leafs, 1918, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967; Toronto Metros, 1976; Toronto FC, 2017.

The Toronto Argonauts have won the most Grey Cups, 19, most recently in 2024. The Toronto Tempo will begin play in the WNBA in 2026.

11. Cleveland (includes Akron & Richfield), 17: Cleveland Guardians, 1920 and 1948 (then as the Cleveland Indians); Akron Pros, 1920; Canton Bulldogs, 1922, 1923 and 1924; Cleveland Browns, 1950, 1954, 1955 and 1964; Cleveland Rosenblums, 1926, 1929 and 1930; Akron Wingfoots, 1938; Akron Non-Skids, 1939 and 1940; Cleveland Cavaliers, 2016.

The Cleveland Rockers reached the 2008 WNBA Finals, but lost. Cleveland is scheduled to get a new WNBA team, as yet unnamed, in 2028.

12. St. Louis, 16: St. Louis Cardinals, 1885, 1886, 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011; St. Louis Rams, 1999; St. Louis Hawks, 1958; St. Louis Blues, 2019.

The NFL's Cardinals never reached a championship game while they played in St. Louis. St. Louis City have not yet reached the MLS Cup Final.

13. Pittsburgh, 16: Pittsburgh Pirates, 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005 and 2008; Pittsburgh Penguins, 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016 and 2017.

The Pittsburgh Pipers won the 1968 ABA Championship.

14. Washington (includes Landover), 14: Washington Senators, 1924; Washington Nationals, 2019; Washington Commanders, 1937, 1942, 1982, 1987 and 1991 (then the Washington Redskins); Washington Wizards, 1978 (then the Washington Bullets); Washington Mystics, 2019; Washington Capitals, 2018; D.C. United, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, plus the CONCACAF Champions League in 1998.

15. Baltimore, 12: Baltimore Orioles (National League version), 1894, 1895 and 1896; Baltimore Orioles (American League version), 1966, 1970 and 1983; Baltimore Colts, 1958, 1959 and 1970; Baltimore Ravens, 2000 and 2012; Baltimore Bullets, 1948.

That original version of the Bullets folded in 1954. The team that replaced them in 1963 reached the 1971 NBA Finals, but lost, and moved to Washington in 1973, and are now the Washington Wizards.

16. Minneapolis (includes St. Paul & Bloomington), 11: Minnesota Twins, 1987 and 1991; Minneapolis Lakers, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954; Minnesota Lynx, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

The Minnesota Vikings are 0-4 in Super Bowls. The Minnesota Timberwolves have never reached the NBA Finals. The Minnesota Wild have not yet reached the Stanley Cup Finals, while the Minnesota North Stars lost them in 1981 and 1991. Minnesota United have never reached the MLS Cup Final.

17. Ottawa, 11: Old Ottawa Senators, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1927. The new Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, but lost. The Ottawa Rough Riders won 9 Grey Cups, while the Ottawa Redblacks won the Grey Cup in 2016.

18. Houston, 10: Houston Astros, 2017 and 2022; Houston Rockets, 1994 and 1995; Houston Comets, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000; Houston Dynamo, 2006 and 2007. The Houston Texans have not yet reached a Super Bowl. Nor did the Houston Oilers, although they did win the 1st 2 AFL Championships in 1960 and 1961.

19. Kansas City (includes K.C., Missouri & K.C., Kansas), 9: Kansas City Royals, 1985, 2015; Kansas City Chiefs, 1969, 2019, 2022, 2023; Kansas City Spurs, 1969; Sporting Kansas City, 2000 and 2013. The Kansas City Kings, now the Sacramento Kings, never reached the NBA Finals.

20. Seattle, 9: Seattle Seahawks, 2013; Seattle SuperSonics, 1979; Seattle Storm, 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020; Seattle Metropolitans, 1917; Seattle Sounders, 2016, 2019. The Seattle Mariners have reached 4 American League Championship Series, but have never won a Pennant.

21. Dallas (includes Arlington & Irving), 9: Texas Rangers, 2023; Dallas Cowboys, 1971, 1977, 1992, 1993 and 1995; Dallas Mavericks, 2011; Dallas Stars, 1999; Dallas Tornado, 1971. The Dallas Wings have not yet reached the WNBA Finals under that name, despite winning 3 titles as the Detroit Shock. FC Dallas reached the MLS Cup Final in 2010, but lost.

22. Miami (includes Fort Lauderdale), 9: Miami Marlins, 1997 and 2003; Miami Dolphins, 1972 and 1973; Miami Heat, 2006, 2012 and 2013; Florida Panthers, 2024 and 2025. Inter Miami have not yet reached the MLS Cup Final.

23. Denver, 7: Denver Broncos, 1997 and 1998; Denver Nuggets, 2023; Colorado Avalanche, 1996, 2001 and 2022; Colorado Rapids, 2010. The Colorado Rockies have never won a World Series, getting swept in their only attempt in 2007. The hockey team of the same name only reached 1 Playoff series in its 6 seasons.

24. Tampa Bay (includes Tampa & St. Petersburg), 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002, 2020; Tampa Bay Lightning, 2004, 2020, 2021; Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1975. The Tampa Bay Rays are 0-2 in World Series.

25. San Antonio, 5: San Antonio Spurs, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.

26. Cincinnati, 5: Cincinnati Reds, 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976 and 1990. The Cincinnati Bengals won the AFC Championship in 1981, 1988 and 2021, but lost all 3 Super Bowls. The Cincinnati Royals never reached the NBA Finals. FC Cincinnati have not reached the MLS Cup Final.

27. Edmonton, 5: Edmonton Oilers, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990. The Edmonton Elks, formerly the Edmonton Eskimos, have won 14 Grey Cups, most recently in 2015.

28. Las Vegas, 4: Las Vegas Aces, 2022, 2023 and 2025; Vegas Golden Knights, 2023. The Las Vegas Raiders have not reached a Super Bowl since arriving.

29. Atlanta, 4: Atlanta Braves, 1995, 2021; Atlanta Chiefs, 1968; Atlanta United, 2018. The Atlanta Falcons won the 1998 NFC title, but lost the Super Bowl. The Atlanta Hawks have never reached the NBA Finals (not since they were in St. Louis, anyway). The Atlanta Dream are 0-3 in WNBA Finals. Neither the Atlanta Flames (before they moved to Calgary) nor the Atlanta Thrashers (now the new Winnipeg Jets) got anywhere near the Stanley Cup Finals. 

30. Phoenix (includes Glendale), 4: Arizona Diamondbacks, 2001; Phoenix Mercury, 2007, 2009 and 2014. The Arizona Cardinals won the 2008 NFC Championship, but lost the Super Bowl. The Phoenix Suns are 0-3 in NBA Finals. The Arizona Coyotes never reached the Stanley Cup Finals.

31. Indianapolis (includes Fort Wayne & Anderson), 4: Indianapolis Colts, 2006; Fort Wayne Pistons, 1944 and 1945; Indiana Fever, 2012. The Indiana Pacers won 3 ABA titles, but lost their only NBA Finals appearance in 2000.

32. Buffalo (includes Orchard Park, Rochester & Syracuse), 4: Rochester Royals, 1946 and 1951; Syracuse Nationals, 1955; Rochester Lancers, 1970. That's it. Despite the temporary status of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 and 2021, Buffalo has not officially been represented in MLB since 1915 (and if you don't count the Federal League, not since 1885). The Buffalo Bills' 1964 and 1965 AFL titles don't count, and they're 0-4 in Super Bowls. The Buffalo Braves never reached an NBA Finals. The Buffalo Sabres are 0-2 in Stanley Cup Finals.

33. Columbus (not close enough to counted with Cincinnati), 3: Columbus Crew, 2008, 2020, 2023. The Columbus Blue Jackets have never reached the Stanley Cup Finals.

34. Winnipeg, 3: Winnipeg Victorias, 1896, 1901 and 1902. The old Winnipeg Jets won the Avco Trophy, the World Hockey Association title, in 1976, 1978 and 1979; but neither the old Jets (who became the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes and may be about to move again) nor the new ones (the former Atlanta Thrashers) have ever been to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have won 12 Grey Cups, most recently in 2021.

35. Oklahoma (includes Oklahoma City & Tulsa), 2: Tulsa Roughnecks, 1983; Oklahoma City Thunder, 2025. The team that won 3 WNBA titles as the Detroit Shock, and now known as the Dallas Wings, did not reach the WNBA Finals as the Tulsa Shock.

36. Portland, 2: Portland Trail Blazers, 1977; Portland Timbers, 2015 MLS Cup. The Portland Fire are scheduled to debut in the WNBA in 2026.

37. Vancouver, 2: Vancouver Millionaires, 1915; Vancouver Whitecaps, 1979. The Vancouver Canucks are 0-3 in Stanley Cup Finals. The reborn Whitecaps haven't yet reached an MLS Cup Final. The BC Lions have won 6 Grey Cups, most recently in 2011.

38. Quebec City, 2: Quebec Bulldogs, 1912 and 1913. The Quebec Nordiques won the Avco Trophy in 1977, but never made the Stanley Cup Finals.

39. New Orleans, 1: New Orleans Saints, 2009. The city's NBA teams (the Jazz, 1974 to 1979; and the Hornets/Pelicans, since 2002) have never reached the NBA Finals. The Buccaneers won the 1st ABA title in 1968, but that doesn't count here.

40. Salt Lake City, 1: Real Salt Lake, 2009. The Utah Jazz are 0-2 in NBA Finals, although the Utah Stars won the 1971 ABA title.

41. Carolina (includes Charlotte & Raleigh), 1: 2006 Carolina Hurricanes. The Carolina Panthers won the 2003 and 2015 NFC titles, but lost both Super Bowls. The Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte FC have never made their sports' finals.

42. Sacramento, 1: Sacramento Monarchs, 2005. The Kings have never reached the NBA Finals, though some think their 2001 denial was asterisk-worthy. The Sacramento Athletics have newly arrived, and have not reached the World Series.

43. Calgary, 1: Calgary Flames, 1989. The Calgary Stampeders have won 8 Grey Cups, most recently in 2018.

44. Victoria (British Columbia, not close enough to be counted with Vancouver), 1: Victoria Cougars, 1925.

45. Orlando, none: The Orlando Magic have been to the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009, but lost both. Orlando City have won the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, but have not reached the MLS Cup Final.

46. Tennessee (includes Memphis & Nashville), none: The Tennessee Titans won the AFC title in 1999, but lost the Super Bowl. The Nashville Predators reached the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, but lost. Nashville SC have won the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, but have not reached the MLS Cup Final. The Memphis Grizzlies have not yet reached the NBA Finals.

47. San Diego, none: The closest they've come is the San Diego Chargers winning the 1963 AFL Championship. The Chargers won the AFC title in 1994, but lost the Super Bowl. The San Diego Padres are 0-2 in the World Series. The San Diego Clippers got nowhere near the NBA Finals before moving to Los Angeles. San Diego FC are a new team in MLS, and have not yet reached the MLS Cup Final.

48. Jacksonville, none: Their closest call is the 2 AFC Championship Games reached by the Jacksonville Jaguars, in the 1996, 1999 and 2017 seasons.

49. Austin, none: With the advent of Austin FC in MLS in 2021, Austin is the newest metropolitan area currently with a team in either MLB, the NFL, the NBA, the NHL or MLS.

50. Hamilton, Ontario, none: The long-defunct hockey version of the Hamilton Tigers never reached the Stanley Cup Finals. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have won 8 Grey Cups, most recently in 1999. Of the teams that are part of their heritage, the Hamilton Tigers won 5, and the Hamilton Wildcats won 1.

51. Regina, Saskatchewan, none: The Saskatchewan Roughriders have won 4 Grey Cups, most recently in 2013.

52. Sarnia, Ontario, none: The long-defunct Sarnia Imperials won 2 Grey Cups.