Almost 40 million people live in California. The state is also the home of an uncountable list of sports clubs with a huge number of fans. Based on numbers shown on Facebook, we create a ranking of the 25 teams with most supporters in California.
25. Sacramento River Cats
Fans: 105,000
Sport: Baseball
League: PCL
City: West Sacramento
Founded: 2000
Baseball fans in Sacramento are often seen at the Sutter Health Park to take a glimpse at the stars of the future with the Sacramento River Cats, the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate since 2000.
The River Cats have won 3 class titles, 3 league titles, 7 conference titles,and 12 division titles, so they hold a winning tradition that’s always going to entice fans. Also, they’ve had players like Kurt Suzuki, Yoenis Cespedes, and Trevor Cahill on their team.
24. San Jose Giants
Fans: 110,000
Sport: Baseball
League: California League
City: San Jose
Founded: 1962
If you’re a diehard San Francisco Giants’ fan, you definitely need to be aware of everything that goes down with the San Jose Giants, their Class-A affiliate since 1998, and one of the winningest teams in the California League.
Thus far, the Giants have won 9 league titles and 9 division titles. Also, they’ve had some pretty notable alumni like George Brett, Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Adam Duvall, Tim Lincecum, Pablo Sandoval, Sergio Romo, and Frank White.
23. UCLA Bruins Football
Fans: 120,000
Sport: College Football
League: NCAA
City: Pasadena
Founded: 1919
Half of California roots for UCLA in all sports. They’ve seen legendary hoopers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Love, and Russell Westbrook go through their teams, but they still have more fans for their football team than any other.
The Bruins haven’t won a National Title since 1954 and have had their fair share of struggles, but coach Chip Kelly is their hope for the future. They have a 16-19-1 record in Bowl Games.
22. Stanford Football
Fans: 123,000
Sport: College Football
League: NCAA
City: Stanford
Founded: 1891
Unlike UCLA, Stanford has always focused most of their efforts on football, and that’s definitely paid off big time in terms of developing a fan base, as they have the most supporters in the state for NCAA teams.
But just like UCLA, Stanford hasn’t been able to bring a trophy home in quite some time (1940). They hold a 15-14-1 record in Bowl games and haven’t been a true contender since the Jim Harbaugh era.
21. Los Angeles Sparks
Fans: 136,000
Sport: Basketball
League: WNBA
City: Stanford
Founded: 1997
The Los Angeles Sparks are one of the most successful franchises in WNBA history. Also, given fact that they also play in the Staples Center, it’s not unusual to see Hollywood or basketball superstars attend their games.
The Sparks aren’t affiliated with the Lakers per se, but they’re owned by the Sparks LA Sports, LLC; which includes Magic Johnson as one of their representatives. They’ve won 3 championships thus far.
20. San Jose Earthquakes
Fans: 193,000
Sport: Soccer
League: MLS
City: San Jose
Founded: 1997
San Jose Earthquakes have a long history in US soccer. However, they’ve struggled mightily early on during their tenures at the NASL and WSL. Luckily for them, they’ve turned things around over the past couple of decades.
Led by coach Matías Almeyda, ‘The Quakes’ are pursuing their third MLS Cup title. Nevertheless, they’re still to find the same success as their lifelong diehard rivals, Los Angeles Galaxy.
19. South Bay Lakers
Fans: 249,000
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA G League
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 2006
The South Bay Lakers are the Los Angeles Lakers’ G-League affiliate, so there’s no wondering why they’re one of the G-League franchises with the most fans, as it holds the prospects and role players that’ll make the first team in the future.
They haven’t won any G-League titles but there are still plenty of reasons to see them. Thus far, they’ve had 24 players called up to the NBA, Gerald Green, Jemerrio Jones, and G-League legend Andre Ingram.
18. Anaheim Ducks
Fans: 419,000
Sport: Ice hockey
League: NHL
City: Anaheim
Founded: 1993
Formerly known as the ‘Mighty Ducks of Anaheim’, the Anaheim Ducks are a relatively new franchise that has already found a truly supportive fan base thanks to the success they had in the early 2000s.
The Ducks are perennial contenders out of the Western Conference so it’s not strange to see a full house at the Honda Center. Thus far, they’ve won 2 division titles, 2 conference titles, and one Stanley Cup (2006-07).
17. Los Angeles FC
Fans: 463,000
Sport: Soccer
League: MLS
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 2014
Los Angeles FC hasn’t been around for that long but they’ve already left their mark on the city, for sure. They’ve done an outstanding marketing and PR job to bring people to the stadium and it seems like their fan base keeps growing by the day.
“The Black and Gold” is competing for the city’s supremacy with Los Angeles Galaxy and even though they’ll have a tough time overcoming the history of that franchise, their recent success is doing most of the talking for them.
16. Stockton Kings
Fans: 554,000
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA G League
City: Stockton
Founded: 2008
The Stockton Kings are the Sacramento Kings’ G-League affiliate. Given the Kings’ recent history with high-lottery picks, watching the Stockton Kings always grants you the chance to get a glimpse of the team’s future.
They haven’t won any championships thus far, even though they do have three division/conference titles. Also, they’ve had plenty players called up to the NBA, including Danny Green, Jeremy Lin, Garrett Temple, and Hassan Whiteside.
15. San Diego Padres
Fans: 748,000
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
City: San Diego
Founded: 1969
The San Diego Padres can’t seem to catch a break. They’ve always had some incredibly talented players on their roster but, being a small market, they often fail to surround them with elite supporting casts.
Luckily for them, they now have Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado leading the way for the future, as well as a lot of cash to spend on their payroll to finally win their first-ever World Series.
14. Oakland Athletics
Fans: 808,000
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
City: Oakland
Founded: 1901
The Oakland Athletics have one of the most colorful fan bases in baseball. They don’t care that much for their team’s ownership, though, as they’ve constantly refused to invest on a stadium or their roster.
Even so, the A’s have been somewhat successful through their history and you know their fans are always going to be right next to them. At least, they won’t have to share the Coliseum with the Raiders anymore.
13. Los Angeles Rams
Fans: 860,000
Sport: Football
League: NFL
City: Inglewood
Founded: 1936
The Los Angeles Rams recently moved back to town after spending most of their history in St. Louis. Obviously, given their roots to the community, they still have some fans rooting for them after all this time.
However, they’ve struggled to gain momentum during their rebranding process and perhaps playing at the Coliseum is being kind of counterproductive for them. They are building a top-notch stadium at Inglewood right now.
12. San Jose Sharks
Fans: 943,000
Sport: Ice hockey
League: NHL
City: San Jose
Founded: 1991
The San Jose Sharks are one of the most popular NHL teams in the country and have the second-biggest NHL fan bases in the state, even though they have struggled mightily in the playoffs throughout their history.
Thousands of fans join them at the SAP Center throughout the season but thus far, the Sharks have only won 6 division titles (the last one in 2010-11) and one conference title (2015-16). They’re yet to win a Stanley Cup.
11. Los Angeles Kings
Fans: 954,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League: NHL
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 1967
The Los Angeles Kings are the only team that can gather together fans from the Lakers and Clippers under the same roof. So, when the ice takes over the hardwood in the Staples Center, you know there’s going to be a full house.
The Kings struggled to find much success earlier on their history but have become a solid contender over the past 15 years or so, even winning a couple of Stanley Cups in 2012 and then 2014.
10. Los Angeles Angels
Fans: 1.3 million
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
City: Anaheim
Founded: 1961
The Los Angeles Angels have the biggest attraction in baseball: Mike Trout. Fans from - literally - all over the world travel to Anaheim to watch arguably the most skilled player to ever lace them up.
Everybody on town roots for the Halos. However, they’re not the state’s most beloved team, as most people actually root for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Perhaps Shohei Ohtani could help turn the table on their favor.
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Fans: 1.5 million
Sport: Football
League: NFL
City: Carson
Founded: 1959
The San Diego Chargers recently moved to Los Angeles. They’ve struggled mightily to get fans on the stadium and are often mocked because of how visiting teams have more supporters on the bleachers.
Part of that lack of support may come from the fact that most Californians root for the San Francisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders, so it’s always going to be an uphill battle for Justin Herbert and his team.
8. Los Angeles Galaxy
Fans: 2 million
Sport: Soccer
League: MLS
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 1994
Los Angeles Galaxy is the winningest team in Major League Soccer history with 5 titles. They dominated the early years of the league and, with Landon Donovan on top of their project, lured a loyal fan base.
Galaxy has also had their fair share of soccer legends on their ranks, from Steven Gerrard, to David Beckham, to more recently Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They may be a new team in town (Los Angeles FC) but they will always rule the city.
7. San Francisco Giants
Fans: 2 million
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
City: San Francisco
Founded: 1883
If you’re ever in Los Angeles or San Francisco, you have to attend a Giants-Dodgers game. You just have to. People talk about the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry but this one isn’t that far off, truth to be told.
The Giants have been one of the most dominant teams of the past decade and even though they’ve finally started a long overdue rebuilding process, fans will continue to flood the bay area to root for them.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
Fans: 3.4 million
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 1883
There isn’t a person in Los Angeles that doesn’t root for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cali is a Dodger state and they’ve made sure to keep it that way by assembling some impressive and competitive squads.
The Dodgers haven’t found much luck in the World Series lately but they have been the team to beat in the National League for almost a decade. Perhaps Mookie Betts’ arrival will finally lead them to another ring.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Fans: 3.4 million
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 1970
Los Angeles is a Lakers town. It’s always been like that and there’s no denying that. However, the Los Angeles Clippers are doing tremendous efforts to turn their franchise around and become a perennial Championship contender.
Nine out of 10 people will root for the Lakers but with the kind of team Doc Rivers is putting together and their new stadium, they’ll definitely start winning more fans to try and fight for the supremacy of the city.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Fans: 4 million
Sport: Football
League: NFL
City: San Francisco
Founded: 1946
The San Francisco 49ers built one of the strongest, most terrifying dynasties in NFL history. Led by Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and later on Steve Young, these guys were a lock to make it to the Super Bowl on a yearly basis.
Needless to say, that kind of success did wonders for them in terms of luring fans to the bleachers and up to this day, they still own California from one corner to the other. They’re coming off a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl vs. the Chiefs but they’ll be back in no time.
3. Sacramento Kings
Fans: 7.8 million
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA
City: Sacramento
Founded: 1923
The Sacramento Kings have struggled for years. They have a reach history of contending squads and legendary players like Oscar Robertson, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and even most recently DeMarcus Cousins, but it seems like they just can’t get a break in the Western Conference.
Still, they have plenty of diehard fans that have endured all those heartbreaking losses in the playoffs. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2004 and haven’t even made it to that stage since 2006.
2. Golden State Warriors
Fans: 11 million
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA
City: San Francisco
Founded: 1946
Old-school fans will claim that most Golden State Warriors’ fans are bandwagoners because of the massive success they’ve had over the past 6 seasons, winning 3 NBA championships and making it to 6 straight trips to the Finals.
However, the Dubs also count with a loyal, diehard fan base that endured those hard times with the team. From the Wilt Chamberlain era, to the We Believe Warriors, to the Splash Brothers, they’ve always had someone by their side.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Fans: 21 million
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA
City: Los Angeles
Founded: 1947
It’s no wonder why the Los Angeles Lakers are at the top of this list. They’re the second-winningest franchise in NBA history, the most successful team in modern basketball era, and one of the most profitable markets in the world.
Nine out of 10 basketball legends have played for the Lakers at one point of their careers. That mean you’ve made it, that means you have a perennial shot at a championship. And now that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are bringing back hope to the Staples Center, it’s just a matter of time before they hang another banner.
