The United States is littered with large cities and major professional sports teams, but these 10 cities are the largest while not being home to a single team in America's top-five sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS).
We've already covered the smallest U.S. cities with professional sports teams, but here we'll take a look at the largest cities without a major professional sprots team based on 2026 population estimates by the US Census Bureau.
What are the Largest U.S. Cities Without a Professional Sports Team?
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Population: 452,000
Although Virginia Beach does not have a traditional skyline of skyscrapers that is accustomed in traditional U.S. cities, over 450,000 people reside within it's limits. Virginia Beach's metro area (inclusive of Norfolk and Chesapeake) is home to around 1.5 million people, which makes it one of the most populated regions in country.
Virginia Beach is home to two semi-professional soccer teams, Virginia Beach United FC (USL League two), and Virginia Beach City FC (NPSL). Neighboring Norfolk is also home to the Norfolk Tides, the AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and the Norfolk Admirals who are the ECHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL.
The town is withing four hours of two cities with professional sports teams - Raleigh, North Carolina (Carolina Hurricanes), and Washington D.C. (Washington Commanders, Nationals, Wizards, Capitals, and D.C. United.)
9. Omaha, Nebraska
Population: 490,000
Omaha, the largest city in the state of Nebraska does not have a single big-five (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS) professional sports team, but does have numerous lower-tier professional sports teams.
Omaha is a hub for minor league baseball, and is home to a USL League One (Soccer) team, Union Omaha. The Omaha Storm Chasers are the AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Other teams that play in Omaha include the Omaha Beef, an indoor football team, and collegiate programs from the University of Nebraska and Creighton University.
8. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Population: 499,000
Colorado Springs has a population of just under 500,000 people, and is located less than two hours south of Denver Colorado.
Although the Springs is home to the 2024 USL Championship winners, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (soccer), the city does not house a single team from the top-five leagues. Residents from Colorado Springs typically support teams that are based in Denver.
Colorado Springs is home to the Air Force Academies collegiate teams, as well as the Rocky Mountain Vibes (baseball) of the Pioneer League.
7. Mesa, Arizona
Population: 515,000
Mesa Arizona is the seventh most populated city in the United States without a team from the top-five leagues. Located in the Phoenix metro area, residents of Mesa are typically fans of the the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Phoenix Suns.
Mesa does however host spring training for the Chicago Cubs and Athletics in the MLB, and is home to the Mesa Solar Sox who participate in the Arizona Fall League (Baseball).
6. Tucson, Arizona
Population: 550,000
Tucson is the second most populous city in Arizona, housing roughly 550,000 people within the city limits.
While it is not home to a professional sports team, Tucson has a rich history of hosting MLB Spring Training and minor league baseball. Tucson is also the home of the Utah Mammoth's AHL affiliate team, the Tucson Roadrunners.
The University of Arizona Wildcats also reside in Tucson, which offers residents high-quality collegiate athletics.
5. Fresno, California
Population: 554,000
California is home to 19 professional sports teams, located from Sacramento in the North to San Diego in the South, but a city of 554,000 people is not one of them. Located in California's Central Valley, Fresno is the largest city in California without one of these professional sports team.
The only major team located in Fresno is the Fresno Grizzlies, a Single-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
4. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Population: 558,000
Albuquerque - the largest city in the state of New Mexico is the largest city on this list who's home state does not have a single professional sports team in the top-five American leagues.
Albuquerque is located in central of New Mexico, and is roughly equidistant between Denver, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona - the two closest cities with professional sports.
The New Mexico city is home to the Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA affiliate to the Colorado Rockies), and New Mexico United of the USL Championship. Residents can also cheer on the University of New Mexico Lobos, a Division 1 collegiate program.
3. Louisville, Kentucky
Population: 645,000
Louisville, Kentucky is not home to any top-five professional sports leagues, it is major city home to multiple professional teams which include NWSL's Racing Louisville FC (soccer), USL Championship's Louisville City FC, and UFL's Louisville Kings (football).
In addition to these three teams, the Cincinnati Reds' AAA affiliate Louisville Bats, and the Louisville Cardinals collegiate teams are all based in this Kentucky city.
Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, and located within driving distance of multiple cities with major professional teams including St. Louis, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati.
2. El Paso, Texas
Population: 680,000
El Paso, Texas is located just across the border from the city of Juarez, Mexico, and is the second most populated city in the United States without a major professional sports team.
High-level sports teams located in El Paso include El Paso Locomotive FC (USL Championship), El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres AAA baseball affiliate), and the El Paso Rhinos of the NAHL (North American Hockey League).
Located just over the border in Juarez is FC Juarez, who play in Mexico's top soccer league, Liga MX.
1. Fort Worth, Texas
Population: 1,020,000
Fort Worth, Texas is the 10th largest city in the United States by population, and is the largest city in the United States without a professional sports team.
Fort Worth is roughly 30 miles West of Dallas (the ninth most populated city in the U.S.), and shares multiple professional teams with it's neighbor. These teams include the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, and the Texas Rangers of the MLB which are both located in nearby Arlington, in addition to the Dallas Stars (NHL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), and FC Dallas (MLS).
None of these professional sports teams are located within the Fort Worth city limits, so the city is officially stamped as the largest city in the U.S. without a professional sports team.
Fort Worth is home to the TCU Horned Frogs, a collegiate program which competes in the Big 12 conference.
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