From Past to Present: The 39 Longest Standing and Most Followed Sports Teams
Sports have been a significant part of human history for centuries, with many teams gaining a devoted following and creating a lasting legacy. These teams have stood the test of time, and their presence in the sports world has become iconic. In this blog post, we will take a trip down memory lane and explore the 39 longest-standing and most followed sports teams in history.
1. Real Madrid CF (1902)
One of the most successful and iconic football clubs in the world, Real Madrid CF, was founded in 1902. Based in Madrid, Spain, the team has won numerous titles, including 34 La Liga championships and 13 UEFA Champions League titles. They have a strong global following and are known for their star players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.
2. FC Barcelona (1899)
Founded in 1899, FC Barcelona is another Spanish football club with a rich history and a massive fan base. The team has won 26 La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League titles. They are known for their fierce rivalry with Real Madrid and their famous players like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.
3. Manchester United FC (1878)
Manchester United FC, commonly known as Man Utd, is the third oldest football club in the world, founded in 1878. Based in Manchester, England, the team has won 20 Premier League titles and three UEFA Champions League titles. They are known for their loyal fan base, known as the “Red Devils,” and their long-standing rivalry with Liverpool FC.
4. Liverpool FC (1892)
Liverpool FC, founded in 1892, is another English football club with a devoted fan base. The team has won 19 Premier League titles and six UEFA Champions League titles. They are known for their passionate fans, known as the “Kopites,” and their fierce rivalry with Manchester United.
5. New York Yankees (1901)
One of the most iconic baseball teams in the world, the New York Yankees, was founded in 1901. Based in New York City, the team has won 27 World Series titles, the most of any team in Major League Baseball. They are known for their star players, such as Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter, and their iconic pinstripe uniforms.
6. Boston Red Sox (1901)
Founded in 1901, the Boston Red Sox are another historic baseball team with a loyal following. They have won nine World Series titles and are known for their fierce rivalry with the New York Yankees. The team has also produced notable players like Ted Williams and David Ortiz.
7. Chicago Cubs (1870)
The Chicago Cubs, founded in 1870, are the oldest professional sports team in the United States. The team has won three World Series titles, with their most recent win in 2016 breaking a 108-year drought. They are known for their passionate fans, known as the “Cubs Nation,” and their iconic Wrigley Field stadium.
8. Atlanta Braves (1871)
Originally from Boston, the Atlanta Braves are the second-oldest professional baseball team in the United States, founded in 1871. The team has won three World Series titles and has a strong following, especially in the southern United States. They are known for their iconic “tomahawk chop” chant and their former star player, Hank Aaron.
9. Montreal Canadiens (1909)
Founded in 1909, the Montreal Canadiens are the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world. Based in Montreal, Canada, the team has won 24 Stanley Cup titles, the most of any team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They are known for their passionate fan base and their legendary players like Jean Beliveau and Maurice Richard.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (1917)
The Toronto Maple Leafs, founded in 1917, are another iconic ice hockey team in the NHL. The team has won 13 Stanley Cup titles and has a devoted fan base, known as the “Leafs Nation.” They are known for their long-standing rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens and their former star player, Mats Sundin.
11. Chicago Blackhawks (1926)
The Chicago Blackhawks, founded in 1926, are one of the “Original Six” teams in the NHL. The team has won six Stanley Cup titles and has a loyal following, especially in the city of Chicago. They are known for their iconic logo and their star players like Bobby Hull and Jonathan Toews.
12. Green Bay Packers (1919)
Founded in 1919, the Green Bay Packers are the third-oldest professional football team in the world and the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States. The team has won 13 NFL championships, including four Super Bowl titles. They are known for their dedicated fan base, known as “Packer Nation,” and their iconic Lambeau Field stadium.
13. Arizona Cardinals (1898)

From Past to Present: The 39 Longest Standing and Most Followed Sports Teams
Originally from Chicago, the Arizona Cardinals are the oldest professional football team in the United States, founded in 1898. The team has won two NFL championships and has a dedicated fan base, especially in the state of Arizona. They are known for their iconic red and white uniforms and their former star player, Larry Fitzgerald.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1933)
Founded in 1933, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most successful teams in the NFL, with six Super Bowl titles. They are known for their devoted fan base, known as “Steelers Nation,” and their iconic black and gold color scheme. The team has also produced legendary players like Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw.
15. Dallas Cowboys (1960)
Founded in 1960, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the most valuable sports teams in the world, with a dedicated fan base known as “Cowboys Nation.” The team has won five Super Bowl titles and is known for their iconic star logo and their famous cheerleaders.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (1947)
Originally from Minneapolis, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic basketball teams in the world, founded in 1947. The team has won 17 NBA championships and is known for their star players like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. They also have a devoted fan base, known as “Laker Nation.”
17. Boston Celtics (1946)
Founded in 1946, the Boston Celtics are another historic basketball team with a loyal following. The team has won 17 NBA championships and is known for their fierce rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers. They are also known for their iconic green and white uniforms and their legendary player, Larry Bird.
18. New York Knicks (1946)
The New York Knicks, founded in 1946, are one of the oldest basketball teams in the NBA. The team has won two NBA championships and has a devoted fan base, especially in the city of New York. They are known for their iconic orange and blue uniforms and their former star player, Patrick Ewing.
19. Boston Bruins (1924)
Founded in 1924, the Boston Bruins are one of the “Original Six” teams in the NHL. The team has won six Stanley Cup titles and has a loyal following in the city of Boston. They are known for their fierce rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens and their former star player, Bobby Orr.
20. Detroit Red Wings (1926)
The Detroit Red Wings, founded in 1926, are another historic team in the NHL. The team has won 11 Stanley Cup titles and is known for their loyal fan base, known as the “Hockeytown.” They are also known for their iconic logo and their legendary players like Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman.
21. New York Rangers (1926)
Founded in 1926, the New York Rangers are the oldest team in the National Hockey League (NHL) to have never changed its name, location, or logo. The team has won four Stanley Cup titles and has a devoted fan base, especially in the city of New York. They are known for their iconic red, white, and blue uniforms and their former star player, Mark Messier.
22. San Francisco Giants (1883)
Originally from New York, the San Francisco Giants are the oldest professional baseball team to still play in its original city, founded in 1883. The team has won eight World Series titles, including three in the 2010s. They are known for their loyal fan base and their famous ballpark, AT&T Park.
23. St. Louis Cardinals (1882)
Founded in 1882, the St. Louis Cardinals are the oldest continuously operating professional sports team west of the Mississippi River. The team has won 11 World Series titles and has a devoted fan base, especially in the city of St. Louis. They are known for their iconic “Birds on the Bat” logo and their former star player, Stan Musial.
24. Chicago White Sox (1894)
The Chicago White Sox, founded in 1894, are the oldest team to have never changed its name, location, or logo in Major League Baseball. The team has won three World Series titles and is known for their devoted fan base, especially in the city of Chicago. They are also known for their iconic black and white uniforms and their former star player, Frank Thomas.
25. Detroit Tigers (1901)
The Detroit Tigers, founded in 1901, are another historic team in Major League Baseball. The team has won four World Series titles and has a loyal following in the city of Detroit. They are known for their iconic navy blue and orange uniforms and their legendary players like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.
26. Cleveland Indians (1894)
Founded in 1894, the Cleveland Indians are the oldest team in Major League Baseball to have always played in the same city, founded in 1894. The team has won two World Series titles and has a devoted fan base, especially in the city of Cleveland. They are known for their iconic red







