2023’s Most Sports-Obsessed States in the US

Sports are a beloved pastime in the United States, but which states are the most obsessed with sports? By looking at the national average number of searches for each sport, we were able to determine which states have the most (and least) avid sports enthusiasts—and the results may surprise you!

Analysts here at Level Sports ranked the states that are most obsessed with sports, from Nebraska's love of volleyball and American football to Connecticut's passion for soccer and baseball, and we'll do it for you play-by-play.

Interesting Facts & Findings

• Swimming is the most popular sport in 14 states and the most popular sport in the United States overall. Surprisingly, American football was the second most popular sport, enjoyed by half as many states.
• Most sports fans, with the exception of American football, dislike contact sports. Rugby and boxing are the most popular in only one state each, while ice hockey is the most popular in three. Wrestling was not chosen as any state's favorite sport.
• Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi list baseball as their favorite sport, but ironically, none of these states have a professional MLB team. 

What do we define as a sports-obsessed state?

When it comes to defining a state obsessed with sports, there are a few things to  consider. We reviewed average attendance for professional teams, college sports programs, local supporter groups, and support for a state’s star athletes.

What we do is take a close look at average search volumes in certain states for certain sports. This gives us a quick picture as to which stands out amongst the rest.

Let's take a look at our list of the top five sports-obsessed states, kicking off with number #1 - Nebraska. 

1. Nebraska

Boasting a culture centered around athletics, Nebraska is America's premier sports-crazed state. Nebraska's favorite sport is a tie between American football and volleyball, followed by golf, swimming, and soccer. In fact, Nebraska is the only state where volleyball is the most popular sport. 

Schools like the University of Nebraska at Lincoln are renowned for their wealth of talented student-athletes and impressive Division I tournament successes, all proudly supported by adoring fans. The Cornhuskers have the 11th-highest attendance across college football and 4th in the NCAA’s Big Ten conference—for good reason. Nebraska has won 29 national titles in five different sports, including five football titles and five volleyball titles. 

Nebraskans come out in droves to cheer on their favorite school at every level of competition. That’s why it comes as no surprise that the heartland takes first place when it comes to enthusiastically showing their support.

2. North Dakota

Coming in at number two, is the sports-obsessed state of North Dakota. North Dakotans can’t get enough of soccer, the state’s overall favorite sport, closely followed by football. 

North Dakota may not have a well-known professional sports franchise, but the state more than makes up for it in local athletics. North Dakota has produced many famous athletes, like Roger Maris, who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, and basketball Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson. 

North Dakotans show unwavering pride and support for those who represent them, from small-town Little League baseball to NCAA Division I competition. 

No matter how old or inexperienced they are, people in North Dakota are very interested in building a spirit of sportsmanship in the state as a whole. From youngsters to seniors looking for an outdoor game—basketball or badminton—they're always ready and willing to join in on the fun!

3. Iowa

Iowa's commitment to sports is undeniable, especially for the state’s favorite sport, basketball. The Hawkeyes produced 33 players who went to play in the NBA, and seven won NBA championships. 

In the 1940s, the Iowa women's wrestling teams were almost unbeatable. They won a number of national championships, and their well-known college teams are still doing well today. The Iowa Hawkeyes have won 26 national championships, including 23 with the wrestling team. Iowa is also home to perhaps one of the most prestigious wrestlers in history, Dan Gable. 

Iowa takes pride in American sports despite not having a major professional team. However, this changed recently when MLB brought professional teams to play in the Field of Dreams game, celebrating the classic baseball movie. 

4. Connecticut

Connecticut usually isn't the first state that people think of when sports come to mind. But it is definitely one of the most sports-crazy states in the country, especially when it comes to soccer and the Hartford Athletic. 

Beyond soccer, just take a look at their list of hometown heroes: from early hockey champions, the Hartford Whalers, to recent MLB legends like Mo Vaughn and Curt Schilling who have come from Connecticut, the state is filled with legendary athletes.

Baseball, especially, has been a staple in Connecticut since way back when Mohegan Park's baseball stadium opened up in the late 1800s. Add in a few all-time greats like David Karoly, who holds numerous medals for equestrian events around the world, and it's clear why Connecticut has found a spot on this list.

5. Wisconsin

Wisconsin sits at No. 5 on the list of the most sports-obsessed states. Wisconsin’s favorite sport is lacrosse, closely followed by golf. Yet, with pro franchises including the Bucks of the NBA, Brewers of the MLB, and Packers of the NFL dominating the headlines in Wisconsin, it's no wonder sports enthusiasm runs deep in the Badger State.

College teams like the Wisconsin Badgers also have a big impact on sports fans in the state, and athletes from the area have done well in professional sports leagues all over the world. Curly Lambeau, a legendary coach, cofounded the Packers franchise and led them to six NFL titles (pre-Super Bowl era). To date, the Green Bay Packers hold the most NFL titles in league history with 13. 

From football to hockey and everything in between, Wisconsinites have an undeniable passion for sports.

Top 5 Least Sports-Obsessed States

While it's not to say they don't have enthusiastic sports fans, the following five stand out as the least sports-obsessed states in the US, according to our data:

1. Louisiana
2. Mississippi
3. Oregon
4. New Mexico
5. Alaska

Louisiana and Mississippi’s favorite sport is baseball, while Oregon, New Mexico, and Alaska all prefer swimming. However, sports fans may show their interest in solo activities like fishing, running, or cycling. 

The Bottom Line

Sports fandom has become an integral part of many states' cultures and identities. The five states we've mentioned here as having some of the most passionate sports fans across the US are truly remarkable for their enthusiasm, support, and dedication to their teams.

Whether it's watching kids play Little League games or cheering for professional baseball teams, these five states all know how to show their team spirit. From high participation rates in youth sports early on to working hard behind the scenes and showing up in droves to cheer on teams at the top level, each of these states has proven time and again that they have some of the most passionate sports fans in the country!

So there you have it, the top 5 most sports-obsessed states in America. How does your state rank? 

Methodology

We analyzed organic search trends in each state surrounding fifteen popular sports in the United States. We looked at the relative search volume of each sport, then took the overall average to determine the total relative search volume of sports in each state. States that had a tie on the average number share the same ranking.