The living might be difficult, but it’s a lot easier to get into football in the South than in any other region. From all the way down in Florida to the high-altitude air of Colorado, states all across the American South are doing their part to field quality teams and put on high-quality football games for their fans. As the old saying goes, “if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.”
If you’re a football fan, there’s a high probability that you already know this. The game has become so popular, so mainstream, that people from all walks of life can now appreciate it. But did you know that the best states for football fans are also some of the most football-friendly states? The South is a great place to be a fan of the sport, and not just because the seasons are longer or the sunnier. The South has all the necessary ingredients that make up a great football culture: passionate fans, competitive teams, and a strong commitment to the sport at all levels.
Alabama
Alabama is home to the best football game in America. The Crimson Tide are the defending national champions, and they’ve been winning for more than a decade. It’s easy to get into football in Alabama, too. The state consistently puts out competitive teams, and it’s always happy to host games at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Florida
Florida is the ultimate destination for football fans across the country. The state boasts more than 20 professional teams, and all of them play in the Southeast Conference. Florida has some of the best college football programs, including Florida State University, which has won three National Championships. When it comes to college football, no other state can rival how competitive Florida is from top to bottom.
Other key components that make Florida such a great place for football fans are its passionate crowds and impressive stadium structures. The Swamp, home of FSU, is one of the toughest stadiums in America to play in, and it’s still considered a home field advantage for the Seminoles despite playing on grass instead of turf. It’s not just about what happens on the field; Florida has plenty of other things going for it as well—DirecTV packages are now available!
Georgia
The state of Georgia has an impressive football culture. The state is home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the NCAA’s Georgia Bulldogs, and a number of other high-quality professional and collegiate teams that put on exciting games year-round. While the weather might not be as pleasant as some other states, it doesn’t make up for the fact that the game is still played in Atlanta—the best city in the world to play football.
If you’re looking for a new place to watch football in America, you should definitely consider moving to Georgia.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a great state for football fans. There, you’ll find sweltering football weather and passionate fans who have seen the team make it to six straight bowl games with a 7-6 overall record. The Gamecocks average over 60,000 fans per game, which makes them one of the most popular teams in all of college football.
South Carolina is home to the highest percentage of football-loving people in America and has shown that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting their team. In 2016, South Carolina State University announced that they were moving their home games from Williams-Brice Stadium to North Greenville University’s stadium due to poor attendance. Many fans were left crushed as many had bought tickets weeks or months in advance only to see their favorite team move on without them. The university made an exception for those who bought tickets directly from the university and refunded everyone else with a 50% discount.
Tennessee
Tennessee has been called the “Heart of Dixie” for a reason, and it’s not just because the state is home to so many college football teams. Tennessee consistently provides its fans with an exciting game day experience that is second only to Alabama. It also has a great tradition in both high school and college football, which means that you can always find a game to attend on any given Saturday.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a lot going for it when it comes to football. It’s the home of the University of Oklahoma, and you can be sure that the Sooner faithful will show up in droves to support their team. There are also plenty of off-season camps and events that will give you even more opportunities to get into the game.
West Virginia
West Virginia is the only state in the country that has a professional football team. The West Virginia Mountaineers, who play in the National Football League as members of the American Football Conference’s (AFC) North division, have been competing since 1921.
What’s more impressive than this fact is that they’ve never missed an NFL playoffs game! That’s incredible dedication from the fans and enthusiasm from all levels of West Virginian society. The Appalachian State University Mountaineers are also a very successful football program, having won 11 conference titles and three BCS bowl games.
Texas
Texas might be the most competitive state for football in the country. The Texas Longhorns are perennially ranked in the top 20, and they have been to 7 of the last 8 title games. The Dallas Cowboys have an incredible fan base that has produced some of the sport’s most iconic legends over their storied history, including: Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Deion Sanders.
The Texas Rangers baseball team is also one of the most popular franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB). Both teams benefit from being based in a large city with plenty of people who are passionate about their respective sports.
But what makes Texas the best state for football fans? It’s all those things mentioned above. From professional sports teams to college programs to high school games, there is a wealth of opportunities for football fans in this great state. Not only do football fans have access to a wide range of leagues and teams, but it also happens to be relatively easy to make it into an arena or stadium as well.
Auburn
University
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee
Just to name a few of the best states for football fans in the US.
1) Auburn University: If you’re looking for a school that knows how to play the game and has a great football culture, look to Auburn. From its own high school football program all the way up through the FBS level of college football, Auburn has provided the right kind of talent to make it into the SEC. 2) Alabama: Alabama is just one of three schools with over 100 years of playing football in their history. It’s hard not to appreciate what they have accomplished over such a long period of time. 3) Arkansas: Despite being in one of the most conservative states in America, Arkansas manages to put together some pretty decent teams on both sides of the ball. Their Razorbacks are always competitive and are currently ranked #14 out of 130 FBS schools. 4) Georgia: The Bulldogs have been around since 1892 and are still going strong today thanks to their commitment to winning games and putting on quality contests for their fans. 5) Louisiana: A winner at nearly every level it competes in, Louisiana provides its fan base with an entertaining brand of football that will keep them coming back for more each season. 6) Mississippi: The Ole Miss Rebels compete in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), making them one of only two schools who compete at that level alongside
Final Words
If you want to be a football fan and live in the South, there are some areas that might be better for you than others. Florida is well-known for its football culture, but it’s not always the most hospitable for transplants. California is one of the other states that can make it tough to get into football, as is New York City.
But if you know where to look and what to do, getting into your favorite sport in any region of the country just got a little bit easier than before. Football is a game of passion and fandom, so no matter where you go, it’s going to be worth giving the sport a chance.