Massachusetts is one of the oldest states in the U.S. It has incredible history, ranging from the period of the Revolutionary War up until the modern day. Though it is the sixth-smallest state by land area, Massachusetts is the third-most densely populated state in the country. Even still, it’s surprising how many big and successful sports teams reside in The Bay State. For that reason, let’s explore the most popular sports teams in Massachusetts. (Discover the most popular teams in pro sports.)
To compile this list, 24/7 Tempo consulted various sports websites such as Rookie Road, as well as more tourism-oriented websites like VisitMA.com. From there, we consolidated the list to reflect the most popular Massachusetts based teams in the widest variety of sports. After that, we referenced websites like ESPN.com for team history and rankings.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team that is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Though first formed in 1946, the team did not become part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) until 1949. A year later, the team signed player Chuck Cooper, making the Celtics the first NBA Franchise to draft a black player.
Since its humble beginnings, the Boston Celtics have grown into one of the most successful teams in NBA history. Besides the team’s seventeen NBA championships, which are the most of any team besides the Los Angeles Lakers, the Celtics currently hold the record for the most wins of any NBA team in history.
A member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the NBA, the Celtics have distinctive team colors. These colors are green, white, black, gold, and brown. The Celtics are perhaps best known for its mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun, a testament to Boston’s historic Irish community. Currently, the Celtics play at TD Garden, an arena it shares with popular Massachusetts sports team the Boston Bruins. (Here are the most popular high school sports for boys.)
New England Free Jacks
The New England Free Jacks are a professional rugby union team in Major League Rugby (MLR). A relatively new sports team, the Free Jacks franchise arose in 2018 after MLR announced an expansion of its team list. The Free Jacks’ first game occurred on October 20, 2018 against the Ontario Arrows in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Since its inception, the Free Jacks have achieved quite a successful standing in just a few short years. Last year, the team finished the season with thirteen wins and three losses. This year, 2023, the Free Jacks finished the season with fourteen wins and two losses, before winning the Major League Rugby Grand Final in July.
Currently, the team is located in Quincy, Massachusetts where it plays at Veterans Memorial Stadium. What’s more, two former New England Patriots players, Nate Ebner and Patrick Chung, have a minority ownership stake in the New England Free Jacks team.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team located in Boston, Massachusetts. The team was founded in 1924 after the National Hockey League (NHL) expanded to the United States. This made the Bruins one of the first NHL expansion teams as well as the first NHL team based in the United States.
Besides being the third oldest active team in NHL history, the Bruins are also well decorated. The team has won six Stanley Cup Championships in its history. This makes the Bruins the fourth-most winning team in the NHL and the second-most winning team in the United States.
Known for its stark black and gold team colors, the Boston Bruins played for many years in the Boston Arena. This stadium, now known as Matthews Arena, is the oldest indoor ice hockey in the world. Currently, the Bruins share space at TD Stadium with the Boston Celtics basketball team.
New England Revolution
Another one of the most popular sports teams in Massachusetts is the New England Revolution. Though Boston has a surprisingly long history of soccer, the Revolution did not coalesce as a proper team until 1996. This makes the team one of ten charter clubs in Major League Soccer (MLS), having competed since the league’s inaugural season.
Throughout its history, New England Revolution has been dogged by season success but championship failure. Though the team won the 2007 U.S. Open Cup and the 2008 North American SuperLiga, it has yet to secure a championship. With participation in five MLS cup finals but zero wins, the Revolution holds the record for the most cup appearances without a win.
The teams colors depend on home or away game status, with home featuring a navy blue and red lining kit while away games featuring a white kit with red accents. The Revolution plays its home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Named after Boston’s prominent role in the American Revolution, the team is owned by Robert Kraft, who also owns the New England Patriots.
New England Patriots
Another one of the most popular sports teams in Massachusetts is, no doubt, the New England Patriots. Founded in 1959, the Patriots was a charter member team of the American Football League before joining the National Football League in 1970. Since then, the franchise has seen historic success.
Though unsuccessful in the first 30 years of its history, the Patriots became a formidable force in the 21st century. Besides holding the record for the most Super Bowl wins of any NFL team, the Patriots also hold the record for the most playoff wins. Beyond this, the team also holds the record for the most wins in a ten-year period and the longest winning streak of regular season and playoff games.
Owned by Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Known for its regal team colors of blue, red, white, and silver, the team’s mascot is Pat Patriot. Perhaps more than any other team in the NFL, the New England Patriots are seen as a consistent powerhouse of football. (Learn about the fastest growing NFL teams.)
Boston Red Sox
Perhaps the most popular sports team from Massachusetts is the Boston Red Sox. One of the oldest teams in baseball, the Red Sox got its start in 1901. During its long history, the Red Sox franchise has won nine World Series Championships, which is tied for the third-most of any MLB team.
Though a winning team now, the Red Sox were famously under the “Curse of the Bambino” after trading legendary player Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1918. The curse refers to the fact that the Red Sox did not win another championship for eighty-six years. The Red Sox made its daring return, however, when it won the 2018 World Series. Since then, the team has become the first team to win four World Series Championships in the twenty-first century.
Since its inception, the team has played at the historic Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Known for its distinctive, even patriotic team colors of red, white, and blue, the Red Sox’s mascot is Wally the Green Monster. The team also maintains a fierce, century-long rivalry with the New York Yankees. (Learn about the best baseball players from every state.)
Cannon Lacrosse Club
Last but not least is the Boston Cannons, a professional lacrosse team based in New England. Though the Boston Cannons started in 2001, it only became a professional, league-assimilated team in the past few years. As such, it was renamed the Cannons Lacrosse Club and got its national league start following the merger between Major League Lacrosse and Premier League Lacrosse in late 2020.
During its history, the Cannons have seen some success. Besides winning two Steinfeld Cup Championship games in 2011 and 2020, the team won division titles in 2004 and 2005. With a record history of one hundred and thirty seven wins and one hundred twenty seven losses, the Cannons are slowly but steadily gaining prestige.
The Cannons team colors are similar to other New England Sports teams with a combination navy blue, red, silver, and white. While the team played at Cawley Memorial Stadium in Lowell, Massachusetts during its first seasons, the team has seen a number of homes. Currently, the Cannons Lacrosse Club play at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Click here for the greatest pro sports teams that disappeared.)