In the Midwest, sports are a big deal. Oftentimes, people who grow up in the Midwest stay there. This makes the allegiance they have to their teams special. Going through the tough times that every team is poised to at some point, no matter who they are, makes the good moments that much more worth it. Wisconsin sports fans have been blessed with the success of the Green Bay Packers. While some teams are forced to use three or more quarterbacks in a season, the Packers have only needed three over the last 30 years.
Shockingly, this has only resulted in two Super Bowl wins. Having a dominant quarterback is the first step to success, which the Packers have. Now, they need to make sure they give Jordan Love all the playmakers he needs to succeed as an NFL quarterback. There was once a time when the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t taken seriously. The team had no talent and seemingly no direction. Then, they drafted a kid from Greece named Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While he was raw at first, Giannis has taken the league over. He can score almost any time he touches the ball. He’s one of the best defenders in the game. And he’s as humble as a superstar could be. In baseball, the Brewers have made move after move to always be a playoff contending team. Fans of Wisconsin teams have a lot to cheer for and be excited about. For more sports, click here to read about Florida’s most popular teams.
To gather this list of most popular Wisconsin teams, 24/7 Tempo consulted sports-centered sources. These include NBA.com, NFL.com, and MLB.com.
Milwaukee Bucks
There aren’t many propositions more terrifying than facing off against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Coming off a title in 2021, the Bucks are hungry for more. In order to get over the hump, they went out and got star point guard Damian Lillard. Over the years, Lillard has proven to be one of the best players in the NBA during “Clutch time.”
Clutch time is when the game is close at the end. Lillard makes highly contested shots, and can create his own. He’s the perfect running mate to be next to Antetokounmpo. Since Antetokounmpo doesn’t have a great shot, it works perfectly. The Bucks are coasting along, stacking up wins, getting ready for the 2024 playoff run that will hopefully end in another title.
Green Bay Packers
If your stadium is named after the Super Bowl trophy, your town’s nickname is Titletown, U.S.A., and you’ve had two of the greatest quarterbacks play for you over the last three decades, you’d consider yourself lucky. That’s exactly what fans of the Green Bay Packers have to boast. about. The Green Bay Packers also have the unique distinction of being a publicly traded company.
That’s right. You can buy a share of the Green Bay Packers if you’d like. Every year, the team offers shareholders to come to the stadium and talk about the state of the team. The Packers are one of the best teams every year in the NFL, and they will continue to be for a long time.
Milwaukee Brewers
There’s nothing quite like baseball in the summer months. Everyone spends time outdoors. The weather is warm and people are generally happy. Milwaukee Brewers games are one of the most common ways to spend time as a family in Wisconsin. While the Brewers haven’t won a World Series yet, they’ve been a consistent member of the playoffs.
Taking advantage of a weaker NL Central over the last few years, the Brewers have stacked wins. Now, they just need to get over the hump against teams like the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. Once they do, it’ll mean every major professional team in Wisconsin has won at least one championship in their respective sport.
Wisconsin Herd
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 19: Nate Pierre-Louis #00 of the South Bay Lakers goes for the steal against Tremont Waters #51 of the Wisconsin Herd during the NBA G League Winter Showcase at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on December 19, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
One of the most important parts of having a good team is the development of younger players. The Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G-League is how the Milwaukee Bucks set their team up for success. A team like the Bucks is already deep at most positions, not allowing for a lot of playing time for younger players who aren’t established.
Rather than just having them sit on the bench, they can continue to work on their game with the Herd. While most players dream of being in the NBA, a year or two honing your skills can do a lot of good for your future as a basketball player.
Wisconsin Badgers Football
College football is known for having some of the best traditions in all of sports. Arguably the best is done by the Wisconsin Badgers. In between the third and fourth quarter of games, the stadium blasts “Jump Around” and the entire stadium starts jumping.
On the football field, the Badgers are known for playing tough, physical football, that results in winning seasons almost every year. The school produced some great players over the last decade, including Melvin Gordon and J.J. Watt. Getting to watch a game during the cold November month in the elements should be a bucket list item for all sports fans.
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball
Like the football team, the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team plays tough and with tons of effort. While he’s not there anymore, Bo Ryan created a culture that’s still around nearly a decade after his last game. The Badgers made waves as they ran through the tournament, all the way to the 2015 National Championship game, where they lost a battle to Duke.
The game is talked about as one of the greatest of all time, due to how close the score was and the quality of plays made. These days, the Badgers are led by Greg Gard, who’s been withe the program since 2001 as an assistant coach.
Marquette Golden Eagles Basketball
The 2023 to 2024 season has been filled with great performances, but not many quite like what the Marquette Golden Eagles have put together. They’re one of the odds on favorites to win the entire tournament, and it’s no shock. Shaka Smart, who’s known for his legendary run with VCU, is now leading the Golden Eagles.
His style is a fast paced offense, while trying to force other teams into turning the ball over. The Golden Eagles are right in the thick of things with teams like Kansas, Duke, and defending champion UConn.
Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Volleyball
Volleyball ball and net in voleyball arena during a match. 3d illustration
Men’s basketball and football aren’t the only popular sports at the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers women’s volleyball team is consistently ranked as one of the country’s elite. They’ve been to the national semifinal four out of the last five years. In 2021, they completed the job and won the entire tournament.
Sports networks around the world are quickly realizing how popular women’s volleyball is, because of ratings at the Olympic games every four years. The Big 10 is the best conference for women’s volleyball, with teams like Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Penn State competing for championships yearly.
Forward Madison FC
Another sport that’s exploded in popularity in the United States in recent years is soccer. There was always a disconnect between the Unites States and the rest of the world when it came to the sport. Fortunately, international stars are starting to come to America to help spread the world’s game. Forward Madison FC is a club who plays in USL League One.
With soccer growing rapidly in the United States, it will be interesting to follow if the European format is used for relegation and promotion. Unlike American leagues, teams can be kicked to a lower level if they don’t do well – or they can be elevated if they succeed.
Milwaukee Admirals
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 17: Luke Prokop #6 of the Milwaukee Admirals warms up before a game against the Rockford Icehogs at BMO Harris Bank Center on November 17, 2023 in Rockford, Illinois. Prokop, the first openly gay ice hockey player to play in a North American professional league, is making his AHL debut. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Gathering the right talent and allowing the players to become the best version of themselves is key in any sport. Hockey is where it’s even more important. Most hockey players are drafted into the NHL when they are 18 years old. Instead of going up against grown men, it’s vital to allow these players to put on muscle and learn the game as a pro.
The Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL do just this for the Nashville Predators. It’s incredibly rare to see players skip the AHL, unless they are once in a generation like Connor Bedard was this year. The Admirals put on a show all the time in Milwaukee for fans to come out to.
Beloit Sky Carp
Getting through the minor leagues in baseball takes longer than any other sport. Rather than just one league to develop in, there’s five levels until the major leagues. It takes around three years for the top talent to get from the bottom to the top. If you’re not a top pick and you’re playing minor league baseball, you’re doing it for love of the game.
The salary is poor, and the players are forced to travel around on a bus. But this is something the players seem to be fine with. The Beloit Sky Carp are the middle of minor league baseball for the Miami Marlins, as the High-A team. Minor league baseball games are fun because most teams do silly theme nights and amazing giveaways.
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Another High-A team in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Unlike the Sky Carp, the Timber Rattlers are where players for the Milwaukee Brewers go to play. Geographically, this makes a lot more sense. It’s also easier for management to get to games and scout their players in person.
While this might not seem like a huge deal, especially with the growth of video and streaming, there’s something different about watching the young players you draft develop in person. Like the Sky Carp, the Timber Rattlers draw fans to games with events like fireworks, running the bases, and autograph sessions.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers Basketball
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 08: Markeith Browning II #1 of the Milwaukee Panthers brings the ball up court during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on November 8, 2022 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
For a lot of teams that aren’t in the power six conferences, there’s only one tournament spot up for grabs in each conference. This is what the Milwaukee Panthers play for in the Horizon League. This might not seem ideal, but playing for a small school that feels more intimate setting is what some players truly prefer.
The Panthers are looking for their first tournament appearance since 2014. For a lot of these schools, a tournament birth usually comes once every three or four years. Since the players spend all four years at school, they know how to play together. Bart Lundy is doing what he can to make it happen this year.
Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix Basketball
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 04: Naji Marshall #13 of the Xavier Musketeers dribbles the ball against the Green Bay Phoenix at Cintas Center on December 04, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Another team in the Horizon League to look out for is the Green Bay Phoenix. The Phoenix represent the Green Bay community, which takes sports seriously. There’s a higher level of expectation, because of the success of the Packers. This makes it fun and challenging for the players, as they have to put on their best performances nightly.
The Phoenix last made the tournament in 2016. Back in 1994, they won their first tournament game, advancing to the round of 32. Anything on top of making the tournament is a success for the Phoenix and their fans.
Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 19: Alex Dieringer of the Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestles Isaac Jordan of the Wisconsin Badgers during the finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 19, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Wrestling in the Midwest is becoming more popular now than ever before. While a large part of this is the new access to sports betting, the athletes themselves should be proud of the shows they put on. The Wisconsin Badgers are ranked near the top of the wrestling teams in the United States every season.
Going to wrestling matches in the Big 10 is intense. The fans know this sport inside and out, as it’s one of the most popular to do in high school. The are of wrestling is taken for granted by groups like the WWE and AEW.
Wisconsin Badgers Hockey
ST PAUL, MN - MARCH 22: Joel Rumpel #33 of the Wisconsin Badgers defends the net from a shot by the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Big Ten Mens Ice Hockey Championship game on March 22, 2014 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
With NIL being such a “thing” in college athletics now, hockey players are more inclined to stay in school as they develop their skills. They do so while continuing to pursue an education. One of the premiere schools for hockey in the United States is the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Most hockey schools in the United States are in colder climates, and that’s true about Wisconsin.
Young kids are more likely to pick the sport up in the winter when ponds and lakes are officially frozen until the spring season comes along. The Badgers have won six tournaments since 1973, which is one of the highest totals in the NCAA. They’re looking to get back to their championship ways quickly, and coach Mike Hastings is guiding the pack. For additional sports coverage, click here for the most popular teams in Colorado.