Utah is a fabulous state known for its beautiful mountain ranges and aesthetic views. The mountain ranges, along with the rest of Salt Lake City, were deemed worthy of hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, tourists can still access the ski jumping course at Park City. There’s a museum that houses different artifacts honoring the event. The world was able to get unique access to what sports in Utah are like. Because of its population, Utah has often been looked over when expanding leagues are placing new franchises. Denver, a city that’s almost twice the size of Salt Lake City, has long dominated the amount of teams in the Rocky Mountain Region.
It’s no secret that sports leagues like to have as many teams close to the coasts as possible. This is because of the lack of a national media presence in the middle of the United States. The expansion of social media has helped small market cities like Salt Lake City start to attract leagues and players. The Oakland Athletics of the MLB are strongly considering leaving Oakland. For a long time, it appeared Las Vegas was the clear destination for the team. However, Salt Lake City is making a late push to bring them to Utah. Fans will have to wait to get a clear answer about the future of the team. Click here to read more about 20 things Utah is known for.
To compile the list of most popular sports teams in Utah, 24/7 Tempo consulted different outside sources. These include NBA.com, MLS.com, and NWSLSoccer.com.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are the only of the “four major” sports to be located in Utah. They were first founded in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, before moving to Salt Lake City in 1979. The Jazz were able to pair Karl Malone and John Stockton together to form one of the most formidable two man punches in NBA history.
The duo would make back to back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, but ran into the end of the Chicago Bulls dynasty. Ever since, the Jazz have been working to get back to the promise land. Even though their 2024 record might not show it, Danny Ainge has put the Jazz in a position to have multiple draft picks coming up to land top young talent. Be ready for the Jazz to look like a team to beat within the next five years.
Real Salt Lake
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 04: Andrew Brody #2 of Real Salt Lake moves the ball during the first half of the 2021 MLS Western Conference Playoff Final against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on December 04, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Timbers won 2-0. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Soccer in the United States has taken off over the last decade. Real Salt Lake was able to be on the bandwagon in 2004. Along with the Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake is one of the only teams to play their games one mile above sea level. This altitude advantage forces Real Salt Lake opponents to lose their breath quicker than they normally would.
The team went all the way in 2009 to win the MLS Cup Championship. In 2023, Real Salt Lake made the playoffs, but would lose in the first round. The team is led by manager Pablo Mastroeni, with 2024 being his third full season in control of the club.
Utah Royals
HERRIMAN, UTAH - JULY 17: Verónica Boquete #21 of Utah Royals FC dribbles downfield during the quarterfinal match of the NWSL Challenge Cup at Zions Bank Stadium on July 17, 2020 in Herriman, Utah. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Men’s soccer isn’t the only sport that has seen a massive increase in popularity. Thanks to the U.S. Women’s National Team, women’s soccer has quickly become must watch television. The Utah Royals are part of the NWSL, and first joined the league back in 2018.
They would move to Kansas City in 2020, but the team was able to rebrand and continue play starting in the 2024 season. David Blitzer, a businessman from New Jersey, is why the NWSL is back in Salt Lake City. The Royals are the only NWSL team in the Rocky Mountain Region, allowing fans from Colorado and Arizona to be able to root for the team.
Utah Utes Football
Utah Utes fans really saw true talent take the field back in 2004 when quarterback Alex Smith finished in the top three for winning the Heisman Trophy. He went on to be the number one pick that next year, going to the San Francisco 49ers. Ever since, the Utes have continued to grow and blossom on the field, landing in the Pac-12 Conference in 2010.
This was the first time they were in a “Power Five” conference. With the Pac-12 disbanding, the Utes decided to move to the Big XII. Cameron Rising, one of the nations best quarterbacks, will be back in 2024 for his seventh year of college football.
BYU Cougars Football
The Utah Utes aren’t the only football program in Utah with a massive following. Thanks to the religious affiliation the school has, the BYU Cougars are one of the most followed football teams in the United States. The Cougars are also known for having some of the oldest players in college football. This is due to many of them serving LDS missions after graduating high school. The bulk of players for BYU are born in Utah, Hawaii, or a Polynesian island country.
Utah State Aggies Football
BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback McCae Hillstead #10 of the Utah State Aggies prepares to pass the ball during the second half of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against the Georgia State Panthers at Albertsons Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Boise, Idaho. Georgia state won the game 45-22. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
Utah State is most known for producing Jordan Love, the Green Bay Packers new quarterback after Aaron Rodgers left. Throughout their history, the Aggies have won 13 conference titles and six bowl games. They’re known for having a high flying offense, where they put up 35 points per game, but also allowing near that amount.
The other team is able to touch the ball on offense more with this style of play. Head coach Blake Anderson believes this is the best way to get some of the best recruits to come to Logan and play for the team.
Salt Lake Bees
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 08: Salt Lake Bees catcher John Hester talks with baseball legend Dale Murphy during a stop of the 2014 Mobil Super Go The Distance Baseball Tour on July 8, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Fred Hayes/Getty Images for Mobil Super)
One of the most important parts of professional sports is how teams develop their prospects. The Los Angeles Angels Triple-A team is the Salt Lake Bees. This is the last top most players make before heading to the Major Leagues. Hall of Famer David Ortiz, along with likely future Hall of Famers Tim Lincecum and Mike Trout, all made stops in Salt Lake City.
They did so before starting their legendary careers. The Bees are still searching for their first title in franchise history, but fans still flock to Smith’s Ballpark to watch the Bees in the summer.
Utah Grizzlies
SAN ANTONIO - DECEMBER 9: David LeNeveu #31 of the Utah Grizzlies eyes the play as he butterflies his pads in the crease against the San Antonio Rampage at SBC Center on December 9, 2004 in San Antonio, Texas. The Rampage won 5-0. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images)
Baseball isn’t the only sport with minor leagues. The way hockey players are developed is a lot different than other leagues. Players can be drafted as young as 18, and still need to grow physically. Most players don’t go straight to the NHL, they go to ECHL teams like the Utah Grizzlies. Focusing just on hockey is a huge switch for a teenager. The Grizzlies, who are affiliated with the Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Eagles, are part of one of the best teams in the NHL.
BYU Cougars Basketball
Like their football team, the BYU Cougars basketball team is one of the most followed programs in the nation. The team is still searching for their first Final Four appearance, but that doesn’t stop fans from coming to the Marriott Center on game days. The 2009-2010 team featured Jimmer Fredette, a player who played like Steph Curry before Steph Curry.
Fredette would take long three pointers, no matter who was guarding him. This made him and the Cougars must watch television for this season and the following one. While he didn’t quite have the NBA career he was hoping for, Fredette made the Cougars one of the most popular teams.
Webber State Wildcats Basketball
Producing one of the best point guards in league history is quite the task. Damian Lillard played out his college basketball years in Ogden at Weber State University. He showcased his extreme athleticism, great shooting, and intense work ethic. After last making the tournament in 2016, Weber State is looking to make a run at another tournament to continue the legacy past players have left. For their neighboring state, click here to read more about Colorado’s most popular teams.