Key Takeaways
- Georgia football fans express strong desire for NFL franchises, with Savannah (#16) and Macon (#49) leading the way.
- Savannah seeks to establish its own football identity, while Macon yearns for unity behind a hometown team.
- Nationally, Honolulu tops the list for cities wanting NFL teams, followed by Tallahassee and Austin.
- Fans envision family-friendly atmospheres but are willing to switch allegiance for a local team, with 41% ready to abandon their favorite.
- Seventy percent of fans support NFL expansion into smaller states before adding teams in established football markets.
Georgia football fans are making their voices heard in the national conversation about NFL expansion. A new survey reveals that Savannah and Macon residents rank among the most passionate communities yearning for professional football franchises of their own.
Georgia Cities Hungry for Hometown Teams
While the Atlanta Falcons currently represent the Peach State in the NFL, football enthusiasm extends far beyond the capital city. According to a survey of football fans conducted by LiveSportsonTV.com, two Georgia cities stand out for their desire to host professional teams:
Savannah (#16 nationally) Known for historic squares and Southern charm, beneath its picturesque exterior lies a community of football devotees who have long “borrowed” their football fix from Atlanta. A professional team would give coastal Georgia fans a chance to establish their own football identity and traditions.
Macon (#49) The middle Georgia city rank lower nationally, but its central Georgia location has fostered deep football roots through Friday night lights and regional pride. Currently split between Falcons fandom and other Southern team loyalties, Macon residents would quickly unite behind a hometown franchise.
National Landscape: Who Wants Football Most?
The survey identified Honolulu, Hawaii as the city most desperate for its own NFL team. The islands have a rich football history, from hosting the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium to supporting the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors.
Other top contenders include:
- Tallahassee, Florida (#2)
- Austin, Texas (#3)
- Tucson, Arizona (#4)
- Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads, Virginia (#5)
- Orlando, Florida (#6)
- Syracuse, New York (#7)
- Toledo, Ohio (#8)
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama (#9)
- San Antonio, Texas (#10)
What Fans Want in a Football Experience
The survey revealed interesting insights about what kind of football culture fans envision for their cities:
- Nearly half of respondents desire traditional, family-centered atmospheres similar to Green Bay
- 25% prefer loud, intimidating environments like Philadelphia or Buffalo
- 14% hope for creative, quirky vibes comparable to Portland’s soccer scene
When it comes to team identity, fans were almost evenly divided between names tied to local culture (food, landmarks, identity) and those with classic, patriotic themes.
Loyalty on the Line
Perhaps most striking is how geography trumps history for many football fans. A substantial 41% of respondents admitted they would abandon their current favorite team if their hometown received a franchise.
The excitement for a new team would be immediate and tangible. Nearly half of fans said they would purchase merchandise right away, while others would rush to attend games or even skip work and school to celebrate.
Small States, Big Dreams
The survey showed a strong preference for NFL expansion into smaller, unrepresented states. Seventy percent of fans believe places like Vermont or Delaware deserve teams before football-rich states like Texas or California receive additional franchises.
“Football isn’t just a sport in America – it’s a cultural heartbeat,” says Emil Sturesson of LiveSportsonTV.com. “What this survey shows is that entire communities are ready to rally behind something of their own, turning stadiums into symbols of pride and connection.”
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
