The NFL loves to flirt with expansion every few years, tossing out cities like they’re auditioning for the next franchise. But not every market is ready to host a team, and some of these suggestions feel like someone just threw darts at a map while half-asleep.
Whether it’s population issues, lack of interest, brutal weather, or just being completely off-brand for football, some places simply don’t make sense. So, before we get too excited about adding new teams, let’s take a look at the 10 markets that are absolutely not ready for NFL action.
10. Portland, Oregon
Yes, Portland has a passionate sports culture, but mostly when it comes to soccer and quirky beer festivals. Football just doesn’t feel like it fits the city’s overall vibe of artisanal lattes and ironic mustaches.
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
It’s a beautiful place with stunning mountains and loyal college fans, but there’s a difference between showing up for the Utes and supporting a billion-dollar NFL franchise. The city might be a bit too quiet and conservative to handle the chaos of pro football Sundays.
8. San Diego, California
They had a team and couldn’t keep it, so what makes anyone think it’ll be different the second time around? If the locals weren’t fired up about the Chargers, it’s hard to believe they’d rally behind a new team that doesn’t even have the history.
7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Great basketball town, sure. But football is already king in Oklahoma—and it’s all about the Sooners and Cowboys, not a hypothetical NFL team trying to find a foothold.
6. Honolulu, Hawaii
A game in paradise sounds great on paper until you realize the logistics are an absolute nightmare. Plus, asking teams to fly six hours across the ocean for a regular season matchup is a hard no from just about everyone.
5. St. Louis, Missouri
Another city that lost a team, and it wasn’t exactly a heartbreaking breakup. The market already had its shot—twice—and the NFL probably isn’t eager to swipe right for a third go-around.
4. Toronto, Canada
It’s a massive city with plenty of sports pride, but there’s still a major cultural gap when it comes to American football. Plus, the NFL already tried a soft launch there with the Bills—and that went over like a cold plate of poutine.
3. San Antonio, Texas
Texas already has two NFL teams and treats high school football like the Super Bowl. San Antonio might show up, but would they ever care enough to make it more than a mid-tier football city?
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2. Anchorage, Alaska
Let’s be real. You’re not building an NFL team where half the season would involve playing in darkness and potentially sub-zero temps.
Read More: 12 NBA Teams That Could Use a Hotter Basketball Market
1. Boise, Idaho
There’s just not enough there—people, money, buzz, or infrastructure. Boise State’s blue turf might be iconic, but that doesn’t mean Boise is ready for the big leagues.
Read More: 15 US Cities That Deserve a Pro Sports Team
