Sports teams around the world are defined by their success. Typically, whenever a team isn’t successful, their fanbase starts to disappear. This isn’t the case for teams in Cleveland, though. It’s one of the many Ohio towns that’s home to professional or collegiate sports. For so long, Cleveland sports fans were at the end of jokes. Their teams usually weren’t good and never won championships. Before LeBron gave the Cavaliers a title in 2016, the last of the four major sports titles to go to Cleveland was the Browns in 1964. That didn’t stop fans from piling into the arenas and fields to watch teams in Cleveland play, though.
Cincinnati, another Ohio town, last saw the Reds win a World Series in 1990. Before Joe Burrow came to town, the city didn’t have true championship aspirations year after year. The city recently added FC Cincinnati, one of the newest MLS teams, to its sports portfolio.
Columbus is where Ohio State is, one of the best college football teams year after year. In addition to them, the city is home to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Columbus Crew. The Crew has proven to be one of the most successful MLS franchises in the league, while the Blue Jackets have struggled over the years. There are tons of other college teams in Ohio fans adore, like the Akron Zips and Dayton Flyers. For a similar read on statewide sports teams, click here to discover the most popular teams in Utah.
To narrow down this list of popular sports teams in Ohio, 24/7 Tempo consulted sports-centered sources. These include NBA.com, NHL.com, and NFL.com
Cleveland Browns
Being a diehard fan of the Cleveland Browns isn’t for the light-hearted. This team stayed in Cleveland until 1995 when owner, Art Modell, wanted to move the team to Baltimore. After an uproar, the team stayed in Cleveland, but didn’t play for three years while they figured out next steps.
The Browns were long considered an after-thought of the NFL because of poor play. The team couldn’t find a quarterback, and didn’t make the playoffs until 2020 after making them in 2002. In 2023, the Browns established themselves as one of the best defenses in the league, restoring faith and hope to the Dawg Pound for the upcoming years.
Cincinnati Bengals
Professional football in Cincinnati was hard for many years, but now the Bengals have figured it out. The team was always deemed good enough to make the playoffs, but couldn’t win at all. After a couple of poor years, the team drafted Joe Burrow. In his first full year as the starter, Burrow led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2022.
That was the year where they lost a close matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Burrow quickly brought the Bengals back to relevance, and this time, the team has real championship aspirations. They’ll have to go through Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, though.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers franchise has been a roller coaster. The team thought they hit the jackpot when they were given the pick to draft LeBron James. He was thought to save the entire franchise. James, a local product, had two stints with the Cavaliers. During this time, the team went to five NBA Finals, winning one of them.
However, after a nasty exit the first time around, James delivered on a promise to bring a championship to Cleveland. When the final buzzer rang, James showed far more emotion and joy compared to the three other NBA championships he’s won. The Cavaliers have put together a great team after James went to the Lakers.
Cleveland Guardians
There’s nothing worse than seeing a championship right in your grasps – and having it slipping away. This is what Cleveland Guardians fans have been through. They last won the World Series in 1948, but came close four separate times. In 1954, the team lost to the New York Giants.
After that, fans wouldn’t see the team back in the Fall Classic until 1995, when they faced off with the Atlanta Braves. During the 1990s, the Braves advanced to five championship rounds, with their only win being against Cleveland in six games. The 1997 team lost to the Florida Marlins in seven games, on a walk-off hit.
In 2016, the team got up 3-1 against the Chicago Cubs who were trying to win their first title in more than 100 years. The Cubs managed to come back and win one of the most thrilling baseball games of all time. The Guardians are still looking for a World Series title to make all the pain worthwhile.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds was one of the first professional baseball teams to ever exist. In 1881, the Cincinnati Red Stockings were first established, and the rest is history. The Reds are known for being the team to beat the 1919 Chicago White Sox, who fixed the series to lose on purpose.
The team is also who Pete Rose played for, the all-time hits leader in Major League Baseball history. However, when Rose managed the team, he gambled on them. Rose never bet against the team, but he got banned from baseball forever. These days, the Reds are looking to Elly De La Cruz to lead them back to the playoffs and being a baseball powerhouse.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Before the Vegas Golden Knights expansion in 2017, new hockey teams struggled to enlist good players. The rules were more strict, which is one of the reasons the Blue Jackets haven’t had the same level of success as other teams. During their 23-year history, the team has never won the division or been to the Stanley Cup Finals.
They’re most known for upsetting the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 playoffs, but that’s all they’ve done so far. The team has done what they can to create their own history, signing guys like Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets need to acquire as many picks as they can to get the best players in the draft.
Columbus Crew
COLUMBUS, OHIO - DECEMBER 09: A general view of the stadium during the 2023 MLS Cup between the Los Angeles Football Club and Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on December 09, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Fans in Columbus have the Crew to lean on. The Crew first began play in the 1990s, and have been one of the pillar MLS franchises. During this time, the team has won the MLS Cup three times, including twice since 2020. They’ve been the best regular season team three years as well, and won the U.S. Open Cup in 2002.
Unlike most soccer leagues around the world, the MLS has a playoff system. Most leagues just play the regular season and that’s it. The Crew will look to defend their 2023 title while going up against players like Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
FC Cincinnati
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 02: Yerson Mosquera #15 of FC Cincinnati speaks with Roman Celentano #18 prior to extra time in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final against Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
One of the newest teams in the MLS is FC Cincinnati. The team’s first year was 2019, and they’ve quickly grown into one of the best in the world. In 2023, they lost to their cross state rival Columbus Crew in the conference final to go to the MLS Cup final. The rivalry with the Columbus Crew has become one of the most intense, due to how great both teams are on the pitch. Soccer in Ohio is only getting started, so sports fans shouldn’t be surprised when an NWSL team is announced in the next few years.
Ohio State Buckeyes Football
College football teams around the country wish they could have the success the Ohio State Buckeyes have had since 2000. In the last 24 years, the Buckeyes have won two National Championships, and have been to the new College Football Playoff five times already.
Buckeyes fans weren’t too pleased when the Michigan Wolverines took down the Washington Huskies in the 2024 championship game. The Buckeyes and Wolverines rivalry is known for producing some of the greatest games. The fans of each side don’t care if their teams win another game all year. If the Buckeyes go 1-11, but that one win is against Michigan, it’s considered a success.
Cincinnati Bearcats Football
One of the first non-power five teams in college football to make a playoff push was the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2021. The team, led by Desmond Ridder, but came up short in their semifinal game. Aside from this playoff appearance, the program is most known for being where Travis and Jason Kelce played their college careers at.
To get more national attention, the Bearcats moved to the Big 12 at the start of the 2022 season. This move is widely believed to help them down the line when the playoff expands to 12 teams in the future.
Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball
The late 2000s and early 2010s was a great era for the Ohio State men’s basketball team. They went to multiple Final Fours and to the title game in 2007. Despite their valiant efforts, they came up short against the Florida Gators, who were in the midst of an excellent run themselves.
From 1960 to 1962, the Buckeyes went to three straight championship games, with their only title in school history coming in 1960. Chris Holtmann is at the top of the pecking order for the Buckeyes these days, as the team looks to get back to where they once were.
Xavier Musketeers Basketball
If you’re looking for consistency in college basketball, there’s not many better places to turn than the Xavier Musketeers. They’ve been to the Big Dance 17 times since 2000, but have yet to make it beyond the Elite Eight. The Musketeers went out and hired Sean Miller to be the voice of the team.
He’s had success at the University of Arizona in his past, which led the Musketeers to thinking he can be the one to take them over the hump. The Musketeers play in the Big East, one of the most competitive conferences for basketball.
Dayton Flyers Basketball
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - FEBRUARY 09: Kobe Elvis #24 of the Dayton Flyers reacts to a play in the second half during a game against the VCU Rams at Siegel Center on February 9, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
The gap between mid major schools and the top schools is shrinking, thanks to teams like the Dayton Flyers. In the 2023-2024 season, the Flyers have risen inside the Top 25 rankings and have been there for consistent amounts of the season. Obi Toppin helped put the Flyers on the map with his jumping ability. Anthony Grant is in his seventh season as head coach, and he clearly has the Flyers moving in the right direction.
Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball
If you were to ask someone on the street some of the teams who’ve won consecutive NCAA Tournaments, most couldn’t say the Cincinnati Bearcats. They’d be wrong, though, as the Bearcats won the tournament in 1961 and 1962. These days, the Bearcats are fighting in the Big 12 against powerhouse teams like Kansas and Iowa State. The Cincinnati Bearcats is a team to root for with pride and excitement for many Ohio residents.
Akron Zips Football
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jasaiah Gathings #14 of the Akron Zips is unable make a catch for a two point conversion during 4th overtime in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The following six teams aren’t traditional powerhouses, but they’ve become some of the most beloved in college football. The explosion of sports gambling has encouraged fans to bet as often as they can, and teams like the Akron Zips make it possible. They’re in the MAC, who plays during the weekdays instead of weekends. The Zips are led by coach Joe Moorhead, who’s looking to turn the program around after his second year in control.
Bowling Green Falcons Football
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Darius Taylor #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers leaps over a scrum of players in the third quarter of the Quick Lane Bowl game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ford Field on December 26, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Another MAC school in Ohio is Bowling Green State University. Scot Loeffler is in charge of the program, with the 2024 season being his fifth. One of the reasons fans love watching MAC games is that there always seems to be random plays impacting the point spread. The Falcons play their home games at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. This is just outside of Toledo.
Kent State Golden Flashes Football
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - SEPTEMBER 09: K.J. Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Golden Flashes 28-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Cleveland, Ohio is close to where the Kent State Golden Flashes play their games. Unfortunately, the 2023 season wasn’t as kind to the Golden Flashes as they might’ve hoped. The team finished 1-11 and were known for being one of the worst teams in college football. This was coach Kenni Burns’ first season as the man in charge, and fans know another subpar season is what coach Burns is trying to avoid. The reason Kent State is so beloved is their association with the MAC.
Miami RedHawks Football
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 16: Henry Hesson #12 of the Miami (Oh) Redhawks carries the ball during the fourth quarter of The Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at FBC Mortgage Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The Miami RedHawks play somewhere that’s the extreme opposite of Miami, Florida. However, this fun name similarity allows fans to dress as if they’re at the beach or in the warmth. In reality, games are played in sub freezing temperatures with snow often laying on the field. Having a good sense of humor about the reality of where they play allows the fans and players to be more upbeat when it is freezing at games.
Ohio Bobcats Football
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Tyler Foster #86 of the Ohio Bobcats celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime of the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl against the Wyoming Cowboys at Arizona Stadium on December 30, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. The Bobcats beat the Cowboys 30-27. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
At the start of the year, every team’s goal is to play in a bowl game. The dream is to play for a championship, but only two teams get to do that. During the 2023 season, the Ohio Bobcats had a good enough year to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl against Georgia Southern. The Bobcats put on a show, and won 41-21. Tim Albin has the Bobcats trending upwards, a good sign now that the playoffs have expanded.
Toledo Rockets Football
TOLEDO, OH - OCTOBER 31: Chris Green #51 of the Toledo Rockets celebrates after a touchdown in the game against the Ball State Cardinals on October 31, 2018 in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The last of the MAC teams in Ohio is the Toledo Rockets. In 2023, the Rockets won the West Division, but lost to Miami in the conference championship game. After that, the Rockets played a nail biter against Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl. The Rockets came up just short, in a 16-15 loss. The 2024 season should be a huge bounce back for the Rockets after a great 2023 season. For more on the most popular teams in Colorado, click here.