There’s nothing like the atmosphere at a football game: the fun of tailgating, the scent of perfectly cooked hotdogs, crisp and tantalizing beer, and the feeling like you’re part of something greater. In the crowd, your hopes, your excitement, and yes, even your disappointment become a shared experience. If you’re someone who watches the most popular sport in America, you know how exciting it is to watch in person. Or to watch at home on the couch. Or to watch your Fantasy Football scores rise to beat your opponent (unless you’re like me, with a team that is about to earn an impressive 0-3 run). No matter how you enjoy football, you probably have strong opinions about the teams and players. (Here are three stocks ready to profit from the NFL’s private equity agreement.)
People choose their favorite team for a variety of reasons. But what sticks out to millennials, the generation born between 1981 and 1996? To answer this question, 24/7 Wall St. turned to YouGov, whose data from the second quarter of 2024 helps provide the answer. Presented below in descending order, you get a sense of the most popular sports teams. While some of the football teams on this list are a given, you might be surprised who else turns up.
Why Should You Care?
Football is the most watched sport in the US.
Since football is a $20 billion sport and growing, the NFL has gone to great lengths to appeal to the millennial crowd. This means hooking new advertisers, broadening its TV reach to streaming services like Amazon’s Prime Video, and other methods to keep this audience involved. Celebrities like Taylor Swift are also increasingly being seen at games, drawing more people in than ever before. Given the brands that help promote football line up perfectly with coverage on this site, football coverage is a touchdown for 24/7 Wall St.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia is a sports-crazy town that loves its Eagles.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 48%
Established in 1933 as a replacement team for the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets, the Philadelphia Eagles are among the most popular NFL teams — although this might be controversial depending on what fans you talk to. The city of Philadelphia is crazy for sports, and there is no question that millennials pack Eagles games every Sunday to watch the team compete to make it to the playoffs. Given how the team has played over the last few seasons, and the new addition of Saquon Barkley, fans have plenty to cheer about.
14. New York Giants
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 48%
The New York Giants are one of five NFL teams that joined the league in 1925 and the only one of these five to exist today. The Giants rank third among NFL franchises with eight NFL Championships, four of which are from the Super Bowl era. The team’s rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles is one of the oldest in sports and has often been called the best rivalry in the NFL. While many people have strong opinions on quarterback Daniel Jones, others love the team’s scrappy playing style.
13. Los Angeles Rams
Millennials love the Los Angeles Rams and the pride the team brings to LA.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 48%
Founded in 1936, the Los Angeles Rams are one of the oldest teams in the NFL. Interestingly, the Los Angeles Rams are the only NFL team to win a championship in three cities the team has called home: Cleveland, St. Louis, and Los Angeles. As Los Angeles is a millennial stronghold, it is no surprise to see the team be among the favorites of this generation.
12. Chicago Bears
There is no question that millennials love the “Monsters of the Midway.”
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 49%
The Chicago Bears, winners of nine NFL Championships, including one Super Bowl, are one of the oldest teams in professional football. Founded in 1920, they are very popular with millennials and undoubtedly receive a boost on this list thanks to their long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. The good news is that the Bears will return to the Super Bowl one day — perhaps under new quarterback Caleb Williams?
11. Miami Dolphins
With the sunny Florida weather, millennials show up for the Dolphins.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 49%
It should come as no surprise that the Miami Dolphins are on any list of popular sports teams with millennials. Thanks to its great weather, Miami is a millennial haven, so Dolphins games are always packed. It really doesn’t matter whether the team is winning or losing, especially because millennials love watching the dynamics between Coach McDaniels and his team (his relationship with Tua?! Unmatched.). The Dolphins have a storied history as one of the few teams to accomplish a perfect season and are home to Don Shula, the most successful head coach in NFL history as far as total games won.
10. New York Jets
Even without a Super Bowl win in decades, the New York Jets remain popular with millennials.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 50%
The second of two New York City football teams, the New York Jets were founded in 1959. They are part of an exclusive club of being one of two teams only to make one Super Bowl appearance. The Jets have the longest active NFL drought, but that doesn’t stop the team from being the 10th most popular with millennials.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Bills Mafia is filled with millennial-aged fans who just love this team.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 50%
Millennial Buffalo Bills fans are undoubtedly part of the “Bills Mafia,” the team’s loyal fanbase. The Bills are one of the most interesting teams in the sport today. After 17 years without a playoff spot, the Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, are playing and looking like a much different team over the last few years. Plus, Allen’s girlfriend, popular singer Hailee Steinfeld, brings more female fans to cheer for the Bills. If the Bills can make it to the promised land, expect millennial fans to follow.
8. Detroit Lions
There is no question that Detroit Lions fans have been loyal from birth to the boomer.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 50%
Founded in 1930, the Detroit Lions are the only NFL team not to appear in a Super Bowl since the Super Bowl era started in 1967. Still, millennials and Detroit Residents shower the Lions with plenty of love. After the team’s 2023-2024 season, where they were one win away from a Super Bowl, its millennial fanbase will have plenty to be excited about next season. If Dan Campbell’s statement that, “You are good enough for Detroit, Jared Goff” didn’t make your tear up, I don’t know what to say.
7. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are surprisingly popular with the millennial crowd.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 51%
Competing in the league since 1967, the New Orleans Saints were among the worst teams in the NFL for decades. However, the arrival of the 21st century brought new hope for the Saints and a Super Bowl XLIV win. Unfortunately, it was the team’s only Super Bowl appearance. But even without another trophy to call its own, millennials show plenty of love to the Saints.
6. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have a loyal fanbase full of millennials.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 51%
The Green Bay Packers are one of the highest-winning teams in NFL history — and one of the only teams that still plays out of a “small-town” market. The team was founded in 1919 and has won 13 league championships, the most in NFL history. The “cheesehead” fan base is loyal even when the wins don’t come. However, as the Packers have the most wins in NFL history, they have had plenty to cheer about.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
“Steeler Nation” fans will show up for the Steelers win or lose.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 51%
In head coach Mike Tomlin’s 17th season, the Pittsburgh Steelers reached 700 club wins, something only three other teams have done in NFL history. This winning record has undoubtedly helped the Pittsburgh Steelers earn a loyal fanbase that has stuck with them through thick and thin. The team’s fanbase is known as “Steeler Nation,” and they are loud and proud at every home game.
4. Texas A&M
Texas A&M is the lone college team to make this list.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 52%
Are you surprised to see that not every football team on this list is an NFL team? Texas A&M is the lone college football team to make this list, and it’s because the team resonates deeply with the millennial audience. There is no question that football is big in Texas, and it’s the most popular sport in the state by a mile. State residents even draw battle lines between Texas A&M and the University of Texas. For the Aggies, 2023 was disappointing after going 7-6 and losing to Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have a surprisingly deep fan base full of millennials.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 52%
Even though the Atlanta Falcons finished last season at 7-10 and did not qualify for the playoffs, this did not hurt the team’s popularity with millennials. With the arrival of Kirk Cousins, the team has some decisions to make at the quarterback position, but there is no doubt a lot riding on Cousin’s big contract and whether he can help lead the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
2. San Francisco 49ers
There is no question that millennials love the San Francisco 49ers.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 56%
While the San Francisco 49ers came up short in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team can take solace as being the second most popular with millennials. Superstars like George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey will undoubtedly be back seeking another shot at the promised land (as long as they can stay healthy). The team’s biggest surprise last season was undrafted quarterback Brock Purdy, who became an overnight sensation.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are the most popular football team with millennial-aged fans.
- Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 56%
It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn the Kansas City Chiefs are the most popular football team according to millennials. Led by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs are the current back-to-back Super Bowl Champions. Mahomes is everywhere right now, and Kelce’s relationship with superstar Taylor Swift has brought a whole new group of millennial Swifties to the side of the Kansas City Chiefs for 2024-2025, where the team hopes to three-peat.
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