Franchise Prestige Rankings – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL & Soccer

Let’s rank NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL teams by prestige.

The rankings are naturally subjective, but we’ll do our best.

Let’s take a look.

🏈 NFL (National Football League)

1. Dallas Cowboys – Known as “America’s Team,” with five Super Bowl titles and a massive global fan base.​

2. New England Patriots – Six Super Bowl championships, largely under the leadership of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.​

3. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six, renowned for their “Steel Curtain” defense.​

4. San Francisco 49ers – Five Super Bowl titles, highlighted by legends like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.​

5. Green Bay Packers – Four Super Bowl wins and a rich history dating back to the NFL’s inception.​

6. New York Giants – Four Super Bowl championships and a storied presence in the league.​

7. Chicago Bears – One Super Bowl win but a foundational franchise with a deep legacy.​

8. Washington Commanders – Three Super Bowl titles and significant historical influence.​

9. Denver Broncos – Three Super Bowl championships and consistent competitiveness.​

10. Las Vegas Raiders – Three Super Bowl wins and a rebellious, iconic brand.​

11. Miami Dolphins – Two Super Bowl titles, including the only perfect season in NFL history.​

12. Indianapolis Colts – Two Super Bowl championships and a legacy of notable quarterbacks.​

13. Kansas City Chiefs – Three Super Bowl titles, with recent dominance in the league.​

14. Philadelphia Eagles – One Super Bowl win and a passionate fan base.​

15. Seattle Seahawks – One Super Bowl championship and a strong recent presence.​

16. Los Angeles Rams – Two Super Bowl titles and multiple relocations with success.​

17. Baltimore Ravens – Two Super Bowl wins and a reputation for strong defense.​

18. New Orleans Saints – One Super Bowl victory and a revitalized franchise post-Katrina.​

19. Buffalo Bills – Four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s, though no wins.​

20. Minnesota Vikings – Four Super Bowl appearances without a victory but consistent competitiveness.​

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Two Super Bowl titles, including one with Tom Brady.​

22. Cleveland Browns – No Super Bowl wins but a historic franchise with a dedicated fan base.​

23. Detroit Lions – No Super Bowl appearances but a longstanding NFL presence.​ESPN.com

24. Atlanta Falcons – Two Super Bowl appearances without a win but notable moments.​ESPN.com+4Team Rankings+4Wikipedia+4

25. Carolina Panthers – Two Super Bowl appearances, reflecting recent competitiveness.​

26. Los Angeles Chargers – One Super Bowl appearance and a history of talented players.​

27. Tennessee Titans – One Super Bowl appearance and a solid presence in the league.​

28. Arizona Cardinals – One Super Bowl appearance and a long franchise history.​

29. Jacksonville Jaguars – No Super Bowl appearances but some playoff success.​

30. Houston Texans – A newer franchise with growing influence.​

31. Cincinnati Bengals – Three Super Bowl appearances, including recent competitiveness.​

32. New York Jets – One Super Bowl win, but limited success in recent decades.​

🏀 NBA (National Basketball Association)

1. Los Angeles Lakers – 17 championships, numerous Hall of Famers, and global recognition.​

2. Boston Celtics – 17 championships, a rich history, and legendary players.​

3. Chicago Bulls – Six championships, largely due to Michael Jordan’s era, elevating the NBA’s global profile.​

4. Golden State Warriors – Seven championships, including a modern dynasty that revolutionized the game.​

5. San Antonio Spurs – Five championships and a model of consistent success.​

6. Philadelphia 76ers – Three championships and a history of influential players.​

7. Detroit Pistons – Three championships and a reputation for tough, defensive play.​

8. Miami Heat – Three championships and a strong presence in recent decades.​

9. New York Knicks – Two championships and a significant market presence despite recent struggles.​

10. Houston Rockets – Two championships and a history of star players.​

11. Milwaukee Bucks – Two championships, including recent success.​

12. Dallas Mavericks – One championship and a strong fan base.​

13. Portland Trail Blazers – One championship and consistent competitiveness.​

14. Oklahoma City Thunder – No championships but a history of talented rosters.​

15. Utah Jazz – No championships but consistent playoff appearances.​

16. Phoenix Suns – No championships but multiple Finals appearances.​

17. Atlanta Hawks – One championship and a long-standing franchise.​

18. Cleveland Cavaliers – One championship, highlighted by LeBron James’ tenure.

19. Toronto Raptors – 🏆 One championship (2019) and the most successful international NBA franchise.

20. Sacramento Kings – 🏆 Oldest continuously operating franchise (as Royals), limited success but deep roots.

21. Indiana Pacers – 🏆 No NBA titles, but three ABA championships and consistent playoff appearances.

22. Brooklyn Nets – 🏆 No NBA titles, but two ABA championships and a major-market presence.

23. Orlando Magic – 🏆 Two Finals appearances, history of star players (Shaq, Dwight, Penny).

24. Charlotte Hornets – 🏆 No Finals appearances, but an iconic brand with strong local support.

25. New Orleans Pelicans – 🏆 No major playoff runs yet, still building identity since post-Hornets rebrand.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves – 🏆 Limited postseason success, despite talent like Kevin Garnett.

27. Memphis Grizzlies – 🏆 No titles or Finals trips yet, but emerging respect with recent competitiveness.

28. Washington Wizards – 🏆 One championship (1978 as Bullets), long playoff droughts in modern era.

29. Denver Nuggets – 🏆 One championship (2023), still rising in prestige but historically overlooked.

30. Los Angeles Clippers – 🏆 No Finals appearances, long history of underachievement despite recent talent.

⚾ MLB (Major League Baseball) Prestige Rankings

1. New York Yankees – 🏆 27 World Series titles, legendary legacy, biggest brand in baseball.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers – 🏆 7 titles, consistent excellence, huge market, iconic team across eras.

3. Boston Red Sox – 🏆 9 titles, ended “Curse of the Bambino” in 2004, historic rivalries.

4. St. Louis Cardinals – 🏆 11 championships, most in the National League, rich tradition.

5. San Francisco Giants – 🏆 8 titles, dominant in the 2010s, historical franchise from NY roots.

6. Chicago Cubs – 🏆 3 titles, historic ballpark (Wrigley), broke 108-year drought in 2016.

7. Atlanta Braves – 🏆 4 titles, multiple eras of success, strong national following.

8. Oakland Athletics – 🏆 9 titles (as Philadelphia & Oakland), known for dynasty teams and “Moneyball.”

9. Cincinnati Reds – 🏆 5 titles, “Big Red Machine” era cemented legacy in the 1970s.

10. Detroit Tigers – 🏆 4 titles, classic American League team with decades of relevance.

11. Pittsburgh Pirates – 🏆 5 titles, historically important, though prestige faded in recent decades.

12. Philadelphia Phillies – 🏆 2 titles, historic club with a massive fan base.

13. Chicago White Sox – 🏆 3 titles, long-suffering but historically rooted.

14. Cleveland Guardians – 🏆 2 titles (last in 1948), consistent playoff presence in recent years.

15. New York Mets – 🏆 2 titles, huge market and memorable moments (1969, 1986).

16. Baltimore Orioles – 🏆 3 titles, return to contention in recent seasons.

17. Toronto Blue Jays – 🏆 2 titles, biggest franchise in Canada with loyal national following.

18. Houston Astros – 🏆 2 titles (2017, 2022), dominant in recent years but legacy tainted by scandal.

19. Kansas City Royals – 🏆 2 titles, small-market success stories in both 1985 and 2015.

20. Minnesota Twins – 🏆 3 titles (including as Washington Senators), steady franchise.

21. Milwaukee Brewers – 🏆 No championships, one World Series appearance (1982), strong regional support.

22. Tampa Bay Rays – 🏆 No titles, but high-performance under low payroll; model of modern efficiency.

23. Arizona Diamondbacks – 🏆 1 title (2001), recent World Series appearance (2023).

24. Texas Rangers – 🏆 1 title (2023), finally broke through after decades of frustration.

25. Seattle Mariners – 🏆 No titles, no World Series appearances, but iconic players like Ken Griffey Jr.

26. San Diego Padres – 🏆 No titles, two World Series appearances, passionate local fan base.

27. Colorado Rockies – 🏆 One World Series appearance (2007), limited overall success.

28. Miami Marlins – 🏆 2 titles (1997, 2003), but little sustained competitiveness, small following.

29. Washington Nationals – 🏆 1 title (2019), recent success but newer identity post-Expos.

30. Los Angeles Angels – 🏆 1 title (2002), despite stars like Trout and Ohtani, limited postseason presence.

🏒 NHL (National Hockey League) Prestige Rankings

1. Montreal Canadiens – 🏆 24 Stanley Cups, most in NHL history, the league’s most iconic franchise.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs – 🏆 13 Cups, enormous fan base and cultural power despite a long drought.

3. Detroit Red Wings – 🏆 11 Cups, historic U.S. team, dominant across multiple eras.

4. Boston Bruins – 🏆 6 Cups, Original Six franchise, decades of consistent competitiveness.

5. Chicago Blackhawks – 🏆 6 Cups, Original Six, 3 recent titles in 2010s re-established prestige.

6. New York Rangers – 🏆 4 Cups, major market team with enormous historical weight.

7. Edmonton Oilers – 🏆 5 Cups, defined the 1980s with Wayne Gretzky and dynastic dominance.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins – 🏆 5 Cups, Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby legacy, modern dynasty.

9. Colorado Avalanche – 🏆 3 Cups, highly successful since relocation, strong brand.

10. New Jersey Devils – 🏆 3 Cups, defensive dominance in the ’90s–2000s, consistent playoff team.

11. Philadelphia Flyers – 🏆 2 Cups, fierce identity, loyal fan base despite recent decline.

12. Los Angeles Kings – 🏆 2 Cups, big-market team with recent success and marquee names.

13. Tampa Bay Lightning – 🏆 3 Cups, dominant 2020s team, one of the league’s top modern franchises.

14. St. Louis Blues – 🏆 1 Cup, consistent playoff presence, breakthrough title in 2019.

15. Dallas Stars – 🏆 1 Cup (1999), strong fan base and multiple Finals appearances.

16. Calgary Flames – 🏆 1 Cup, rich 1980s history, strong Western Canadian following.

17. New York Islanders – 🏆 4 Cups (early 1980s dynasty), prestige faded with long dry spell.

18. Vancouver Canucks – 🏆 No Cups, but multiple Finals appearances and strong market presence.

19. Buffalo Sabres – 🏆 No Cups, loyal fan base, two Finals appearances, long-standing identity.

20. Ottawa Senators – 🏆 No modern Cups, but competitive in 2000s with decent fan engagement.

21. Minnesota Wild – 🏆 No Cups, strong local hockey culture, but little postseason success.

22. Carolina Hurricanes – 🏆 1 Cup (2006), high playoff potential, regional growth.

23. Washington Capitals – 🏆 1 Cup (2018), long road to relevance capped by Ovechkin’s win.

24. Winnipeg Jets – 🏆 No Cups, originally relocated and reborn franchise, passionate base.

25. Florida Panthers – 🏆 No Cups, recent Finals appearances improving their stock.

26. Nashville Predators – 🏆 No Cups, rabid local support and growing relevance.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets – 🏆 No Cups, limited postseason history, younger franchise.

28. Arizona Coyotes – 🏆 No Cups, long-standing instability, relocation talks ongoing.

29. San Jose Sharks – 🏆 No Cups, consistently competitive for years but never over the hump.

30. Anaheim Ducks – 🏆 1 Cup (2007), Disney origins, dipped in relevance since.

31. Vegas Golden Knights – 🏆 1 Cup (2023), immediate success since entering league in 2017.

32. Seattle Kraken – 🏆 New franchise, too young to rank meaningfully on prestige yet.

🌍 Most Prestigious Soccer Clubs

1. Real Madrid (Spain)
   🏆 14 UEFA Champions League titles, 35 La Liga titles
   – The undisputed king of European football; global brand, legends galore.

2. FC Barcelona (Spain)
   🏆 5 UEFA Champions League titles, 27 La Liga titles
   – Known for “tiki-taka”, La Masia academy, and Messi; massive cultural reach.

3. Manchester United (England)
   🏆 3 Champions League titles, 20 English league titles
   – England’s most storied club; the Fergie era defines modern dominance.

4. AC Milan (Italy)
   🏆 7 Champions League titles, 19 Serie A titles
   – Italian royalty, known for iconic defenses and international pedigree.

5. Liverpool FC (England)
   🏆 6 Champions League titles, 19 English league titles
   – Rich European history, legendary fan culture (Anfield, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”).

6. Bayern Munich (Germany)
   🏆 6 Champions League titles, 33 Bundesliga titles
   – Germany’s dominant force; excellence in both tradition and modern era.

7. Juventus (Italy)
   🏆 2 Champions League titles, 36 Serie A titles
   – Italy’s most successful domestic club; global brand, consistent powerhouse.

8. Ajax (Netherlands)
   🏆 4 Champions League titles, 36 Eredivisie titles
   – Legendary youth academy, style, and influence on world football philosophy.

9. Chelsea FC (England)
   🏆 2 Champions League titles, 6 English league titles
   – Modern elite club, success-heavy since early 2000s, global growth.

10. Inter Milan (Italy)
    🏆 3 Champions League titles, 19 Serie A titles
    – Fierce legacy, great rivalries, and a treble-winning side in 2010.