I don’t think there is any more passionate or loyal fans than those of the NFL and their teams benefit from – not just during the season but year-round! And likely any fan of each NFL team believes they are a part of the most intensely supportive community and that comes to life at Tailgates, in pubs, at road games and in-home watch parties. In order to create some foundation for determining who the Five Top NFL Fan Bases were, we looked at the following criteria:
- Attendance
- Engagement
- Merchandise Sales
- Traditions
While some of these are hard to place analytic data against, there is one common connection across the Top Five as noted here – each franchise has been incredibly successful both on the field but also in its outreach to its fans and truly engaging them throughout the year, well past Super Bowl. Here’s our list and I have no doubt that it will surprise some, disappoint many and be confirming for those fans of the teams noted.
#1 – San Francisco 49ers
From their uniforms to the high tech experience at Levi’s Stadium to the incredible track record of winning teams, the Niners are ranked #1 in the NFL. Given their location near Silicon Valley, it’s not surprise that the team’s social media outreach is phenomenal and serves to extend the relationship between team and fans around the world and beyond the Bay Area. Niners fans travel anywhere to support their team and the tailgate per-game experience is awesome.
#2. Dallas Cowboys
There is a reason that the Cowboys like to refer to themselves as “America’s Team” and viewed as larger than life. From Jerry Jones to AT&T Stadium, the iconic uniforms and history of winning, there is lots for Cowboys fans to be excited about. Cowboys merchandise sales are typically in the top 3 every year and they truly have a global following. Like it or not, the Cowboys represent that old maxim, “Everything’s big in Texas!”
#3 Kansas City Chiefs
Shooting for a record Super Bowl “3 Peat,” the Chiefs have dominated not only the AFC but the NFL overall as led by Patrick Mahomes and Coach Andy Reid. There truly is a Chiefs Kingdom that spreads across the Great Plains and Arrowhead Stadium is one of the great, classic venues in all of sports. There are few stadiums as loud, especially when the Tomahawk chant is bellowed throughout each game. And with their distinctive and traditional red and gold uniforms, Chiefs merchandise sales are always near best in class.
#4 Philadelphia Eagles
There is no more intense fan base or culture of fierceness than that of a Philly sports fan. And for the Eagles, amplify that 3 times! At the heart of it is deep pride for the city and fans demanding complete success. And as a visiting fan of an opposing team, good luck if wearing your team’s uniform or anything not Eagles green and silver. Lincoln Financial Stadium rocks regardless of the weather because the fan base shows up. Their tailgates start early in the AM and go well past the final whistle. Electric, fierce and a no prisoners taken community of fans unlike any other NFL team.
#5 Green Bay Packers
The only NFL team actually owned by the fans, the legendary, bucket list must visit that is Lambeau Field and an environment and feeling of this being more like a classic college football experience than a typical NFL game day, makes the Packers truly special. Ask the fans. They truly feel that they are part of the organization and with the possible exception of the Steelers, no team has better traveling supporters. And with everything from cheeseheads to Nitschke and Starr jerseys, Lambeau Field has the best team store in the business.
Will everyone agree on this list? Probably not because each fan base is defined by its unwavering passion for its team and convinced no other team has more loyal fans. And that’s what makes the NFL and its fans truly unique. The beat goes on…