Floridaisone of the most important states in the entire United States for a lot of reasons. They are known not only within the country but around the entire worldfor its beaches, tourism, night lifeand malls. Florida has some of the largest fanbase in American sports given all the teams they havedown there.
They have many popular sports teams, including soccer, basketball, football, ice hockey and college teams . Starting from the Florida Gators, Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays , going through Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and finalizing withthe Miami Heat , Florida has some really good teams that draw a lot of attention.
Based on the numbers shown on Facebook, we decided to put all of them together and make a ranking ofthe 30 Florida sports teams with most fans.
30. Lakeland FlyingTigers
The Flying Tigers are affiliated to the Detroit Tigers. (Photo source: Lakeland Flying Tigers Facebook)
Fans: 21,000
Sport: Baseball
League: Florida State League
City: Lakeland
Founded: 1960
The Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida. They were founded in 1960 as the Likeland Indians, an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team was restarted two years later and became the Lakeland Giants, and an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. It has been the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers since 1963 and, until November 2006, it was known as the Lakeland Tigers.
The team plays its home games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, which was renovated in 2017 and seats 8,500 fans. It competes in the Florida State League (FSL).
29. Daytona Tortugas
The club was previously known as Daytona Cubs. (Photo source: Daytona Tortugas Facebook)
Fans: 21,000
Sport: Baseball
League: Florida State League
City: Daytona Beach
Founded: 1993
The Tortugas are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach and compete in the Florida State League (FSL). They were previously known as the Daytona Cubs from 1993 to 2014, when they were an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
In 2015, the team became a Class A-Advance affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. It plays its home games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, which seats 5,100 fans.
28. Tampa Bay Vipers
Fans take very serious the ‘Viper’ thing. (Photo Source: Tampa Bay Vipers Facebook)
Fans: 21,000
Sport: Football
League: XFL
City: Tampa
Founded: 2018
The Vipers are a professional American football team based in Tampa and play their home games at Raymond James Stadium, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL and the University of South Florida Bulls.
The team competed in the XFL, a professional football league that suspended operations and declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2020.
27. Florida Everblades
Everblades are affiliated with the Nashville Predators (Photo Source: Florida Everblades)
Fans: 23,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League: ECHL
City: Estero
Founded: 1998
The minor league ice hockey team based in Estero was founded in 1998 and play in the South Division of the Eastern Conference in the ECHL. The Everblades are affiliated with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL).
They play their home games at Hertz Arena, a 7,181-seat multi-purpose arena founded in 1998 and located in the city.
26.Pensacola Ice Flyers
A fan playing the guitar in an Ice Flyers match. (Photo source: Pensacola Ice Flyers Facebook)
Fans: 23,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League: SPHL
City: Pensacola
Founded: 2009
The team’s name is a tribute to Pensacola’s heritage in naval aviation – home of the legendary Blue Angels – and to the original owner Tim Kerr, who played 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL.
The Ice Flyers have competed in the Southern Professional Hockey League since the 2009/2010 season. They play their home games at the Pensacola Bay Center.
25. Jacksonville Icemen
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is the home of the Jacksonville Icemen. (Source: Facebook Jacksonville Sourcemen)
Fans: 23,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League: ECHL
City: Jacksonville
Founded: 1992
The team has changed its name three times since its foundation. The Icemen were formerly known as the Muskegon Fury from 1992 to 2008, the Muskegon Lumberjacks from 2008 to 2010, and the Evansville IceMen from 2010 to 2016.
The Jacksonville Icemen are a minor league ice hockey team that competes in the ECHL in Florida. They play their home games at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
24.Florida A&M Rattlers
FAMU Studens enjoy a Football team match. (Photo source: FAMU Athletics Facebook)
Fans: 26,000
Sport: Football, Basketball and Baseball
League: College leagues
City:Tallahassee
Founded: 1938
The team represents the Florida A&M University and participates in the NCAA Division I. It offers different sports including football, basketball and baseball, among many others. The University has its fans too, who support the team in every competition.
The Florida A&M Rattlers have won 29 Conference Championships and 13 different college football national titles.
23.Jacksonville Armada
The Armada play their home games at Hodges Stadium. (Photo source: Jacksonville Armada Facebook)
Fans: 31,000
Sport: Soccer
League: NPSL
City:Jacksonville
Founded: 2013
The professional soccer team played in the National Premier Soccer League during the 2018 season at the Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida. The partnership with Armada FC Youth Academy will mutually conclude on June, 2020.
The team will recover its former name Jacksonville FC, and it’s only a matter of time to know what’s going to happen with the team in the future.
22. Orlando Solar Bears
Amway Center is the home of Orlando Solar Bears. (Photo source: OSB Facebook)
Fans: 33,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League: ECHL
City:Orlando
Founded: 2012
In 1994, a franchise named Orlando Solar Bears was founded and it competed in the International Hockey League (IHL) since 1995 until the league folded in 2001. Ten years later, it was announced that anew team would also be named Orlando Solar Bears and would play in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
The team competes in the South Division of the ECHL’s Eastern Conference and plays its home games at the Amway Center. It is affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL) and Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL).
21. South Florida Bulls
A young Bulls fan hi five with one of the players (Photo source: USF Football Facebook)
Fans: 36,000
Sport: College Football
League: FBS
City:Tampa
Founded: 1997 (football)
The South Florida Bulls football is one of the teams that represent the University of South Florida, which currently sponsors varsity sports such as baseball, basketball, golf, and soccer, among others.
The Bulls play their home games at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and compete in the American Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
20.Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Jacksonville Jumbo has played in the Southern League longer than any otheteamr. (Photo source: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)
Fans: 52,000
Sport: Baseball
League: Southern League
City:Jacksonville
Founded: 1962
The Minor League Baseball team is a member of the Southern League and the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. It was formally known as the Jacksonville Suns, and from 1985 to 1990 it was named the Jacksonville Expos, due to its affiliation with the Montreal Expos.
It wasn’t until the 2017 season that the team rebranded itself as the Jacksonville Shrimp. They play their home games at the 121 Financial Park, a 11,000-person capacity that opened in 2003.
19.Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tampa Bay fans in a match against Bethlehem Steels. (Photo source: Tampa Bay Facebook)
Fans: 82,000
Sport: Soccer
League: USL
City:St. Petersbourg
Founded: 1974/2008
The Rowdies were a professional soccer team based in Tampa that competed in the original North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1984. After that, the team played in various minor indoor and outdoor leagues before folding in 1994.
Fourteen years later the new Tampa Bay Rowdies was founded and they are based in St. Peterburg. They have been competing in the USL Championship since 2017 and play their home games at the Al Lang Stadium.
18. Miami United
North Miami Athletic Stadium is the home of the United. (Photo source: Miami United Facebook)
Fans: 85,000
Sport: Soccer
League: NPSL
City: Miami
Founded: 2012
The team was founded in 2012 and made its debut in the Sunshine Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) the next year. The Miami United play their home games at the North Miami Athletic Stadium.
The name United was chosen as a means of unifying the many different people that make up the city and as a celebratory salute to the legacies, players and fans of the four previous clubs that have represented Miami over the years, although the Miami United haven’t been affiliated with any of them.
17. Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride is one of the most important teams in NWSL. (Photo: Orlando Pride)
Fans: 88,000
Sport: Soccer
League: NWSL
City: Orlando
Founded: 2015
In October 2015, the Orlando City SC ownership group unveiled the new Orlando Pride, an expansion team to the women’s professional league. Alex Morgan and Kaylyn Kyle were the first signings in the team’s history.
The Orlando Pride play their home games at the Exploria Stadium, a 25,500 capacity venue that opened for the 2017 NWSL season.
16. Miami FC
A fan going to the stadium with a flag on hisshoulders. (Photo source: Miami FC Facebook)
Fans: 97,000
Sport: Soccer
League: USL
City: Miami
Founded: 2015
A Miami FC side was founded in 2006 and captured the attention of the media after signing former World Cup winners Romario and Zinho. The team rebranded the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 2011 and joined the North American Soccer League.
The Miami FC we know today was founded in 2015 and moved to the USL Championship after competing in different leagues over the years. They play their home games at the Riccardo Silva Stadium on the campus of Florida International University.
15. Inter Miami
David Beckham franchise has just arrived to MLS, but the club already has three official supporters groups: The Siege, Southern Legion, and Vice City 1896. (Photo: Inter Miami FC Facebook)
Fans:153,000
Sport: Soccer
League: MLS
City: Fort Lauderdale
Founded: 2018
With David Beckham as the team’s president and co-owner, Inter Miami made their debut in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the 2020 season. They started with a 0-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC and then lost 2-1 to DC United, with Rodolfo Pizarro scoring the first goal in the history of the club. The league was suspended before their first home game at the Inter Miami FC Stadium.
There’s no doubt that Beckham and the rest of the team owners want to make a real impact in the league, and it will be only a matter of time until we see a world star players signing for the team.
14. UCF Knights
Knights has 6 conference titles in their division. (Photo: UCF Knights Facebook)
Fans: 194,000
Sport: College Football
League:NCAA
City: Orlando
Founded:1979 (football)
The University of Central Florida fielded an official varsity football team for the first time in 1979. The Knights have played in six bowl games and won six conference championships since then. They participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference.
The UCF also have basketball, baseball and soccer, among other sports teams. The football side plays its home games at the Spectrum Stadium located on the main campus of the university.
13. Florida Panthers
BB&T Center is the home of the Panters. (Photo: The Florida Phanters Facebook)
Fans: 197,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League:NHL
City: Sunrise
Founded:1993
The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. They have played their home games at the BB&T Center since 1998.
The first and last time that the team qualified for the Stanley Cup Finals was in 1996, when the Panthers lost to Colorado Avalanche. It’s been a while, but the fans keep supporting the team hoping to lift the trophy one day.
12. Miami Hurricanes
The team plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Photo: Miami Hurricanes Facebook)
Fans: 374,000
Sport: College Football
League:NCAA
City: Miami Gardens
Founded:1926 (football)
The team represents the University of Miami and is among the most storied and decorated football programs in NCAA history. The Hurricanes compete in the NCAA’s Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
They play their home games at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Miami Hurricanes also represent the university in other sports such as baseball, basketball and soccer, among others.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
Fans usually bring little ‘thunders’ to the stadium. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 563,000
Sport: Ice Hockey
League:NHL
City: Tampa
Founded:1992
The Tampa Bay Lightning, often referred to as the Bolts, are the ice hockey team with most fans in the state. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
The Lightning won their first and only Stanley Cup championship in the 2003/2004 season, and play their home games at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
10. Florida State Seminoles
Seminoles are known for the many traditions associated with the school. (Getty)
Fans: 595,000
Sport: College Football
League:NCAA
City: Tallahassee
Founded:1902 (football)
The Seminoles compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They play their home games at the 79,560-capacity Doak S. Campbell Stadium on the campus of Florida State University.
The team has won three national championships, 18 conference titles and six division titles. The Seminoles’ athletic department fields 20 teams, including baseball, basketball, and soccer, among others.
9. Orlando City Soccer Club
Orlando fans during an MLS match. (Getty)
Fans: 609,000
Sport: Soccer
League:MLS
City: Orlando
Founded:2013
The Orlando City SC are the most popular soccer team in the state, with more than 600,000 fans supporting them every time they play in the Eastern Conference of the Major League Soccer (MLS). They play their home games at the Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando.
The teams joined the MLS in 2015 as the 21st franchise, succeeding the USL Pro team of the same name. This way, the Orlando City SC became the first MLS team in Florida since Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny both folded after the 2001 season.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Signs are usual in the Jaguars’ matches. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 631,000
Sport: Football
League:NFL
City: Jacksonville
Founded:1993
One of the most important National Football League (NFL) teams in the state are the Jaguars. They compete in the American Football Conference’s (AFC) South Division and play their home games at the TIAA Bank Field, located in Jacksonville.
The team joined the league along with the Carolina Panthers for the 1995 season. The Jaguars have qualified for the playoffs seven times, most recently in 2017 after a 10-season playoff drought.
7. Miami Marlins
Marlins won two World Series titles. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 716,000
Sport: Baseball
League:MLB
City: Miami
Founded:1993
The team was established as the Florida Marlins in 1993 and compete in the Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League East Division. They have played their home games at the Malins Park since the 2012 season.
An interesting thing about the team is that it has never won a division title, but it has won two World Series championships as a wild card team.
6. Tampa Bay Rays
Tropicana Field is the team’s home venue. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 726,000
Sport: Baseball
League:MLB
City: St. Petersburg
Founded:1993
The Rays compete in the Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League East Division. The team was formerly known as the Devil Rays, but it changed its name to Rays following the 2007 season.
They play at the Tropicana Field, and the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are their bitter rivals. The Rays have not won a World Series title yet, but have clinched two division titles and one AL pennant.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A Buccaneers fan shouting in a match against Falcons. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 962,000
Sport: Football
League:NFL
City: Tampa
Founded:1974
They compete in the South Division of the National Football Conference. The Buccaneers joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team, along with the Seattle Seahawks. They played their first season in the American Football Conference West Division before switching conferences with the Seahawks. It was not until the 2002 league realignment that the Buccaneers became a member of the new NFC South.
They have played their home games at the Raymond James Stadium since 1998, and have clinched their first and only Super Bowl championship in the 2002 season.
4. Florida Gators
Gators have won 14 division titles. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 1.5 million
Sport: College Football
League:NCAA
City: Gainesville
Founded:1906(football)
The Gators played their first football season in 1906. Today, they compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and they play their home games at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university’s Gainesville campus.
It amazing how many fans the Florida Gators teams has. In their 112-season history of Florida football, they have won three national championships and eight SEC titles. The University sports fans are known as the “Gator Nation”.
3. Miami Dolphins
Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins. (Getty)
Fans: 2.2 million
Sport:Football
League:NFL
City: Miami Gardens
Founded:1965
The Dolphins are the most popular NFL team in the state and the oldest professional sports team in Florida. They compete in the American Football Conference (AFC) East Division and play their home games at the Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens.
They have won two Super Bowl championships, five conference titles and 13 division titles. After the retirement of Dan Marino and Don Shula, and the rise of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the Dolphins suffered a decline in the 2000s. But still they are the last team in the AFC East to win the division championship aside of the Patriots, in 2008.
2. Orlando Magic
Magic fans in an NBA match. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 2.7million
Sport:Basketball
League:NBA
City: Orlando
Founded:1989
The team is a member of the Eastern Conference Southern Division and has been the second most successful of the four expansion teams brought into the NBA in 1988 and 1989 in terms of winning percentage, only after the Miami Heat.
The Magic play their home games at the Amway Center in Orlando and have won two conference titles. Many notable NBA stars have played for the team since its foundation, such as Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard, among others.
1. Miami Heat
AA Arena, home of the Miami Heat. (Photo: Getty)
Fans: 15 million
Sport:Basketball
League:NBA
City: Miami
Founded:1988
The Heat are not just the most popular team in Florida, but also one of the most popular teams in the NBA. They joined the league in the 1988/1989 season and wasn’t until former head coach Pat Riley was appointed as the team’s president during the 1990s that the Heat became playoff contenders.
The team won its first NBA championship with Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal in 2006, and four years later Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh created the “Big Three” and led the Heat to four straight NBA Finals, winning the 2012 and 2013 editions. The Heat play their home games at the American Airlines Arena located in Downtown Miami.
After playing in the NBA Finals for the first time in six years this season, the Heat surely added more fans to their fanbase. The team had a terrific season in the bubble and they’re ready to keep things like that. Led by Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and co., the Heat is set to continue their good moment in the Eastern Conference and add more fans to the 15 million they already have.
