There’s a whole lot more to VB than just being named by Guinness World Records as the largest pleasure beach in the world. It’s also the state’s most populous city with around 460,000 inhabitants.
Of these a good proportion are sports fans following everything from soccer to football and basketball to baseball.
While the state itself has no major league teams to support in the country’s main sports, there are quite a few others to follow.
In many ways having super-local teams to support is felt by some to be more satisfying than tying your loyalty to major franchises. And because these are often grass-roots teams the players are more likely to be local.
Plus, while they might not get the major TV exposure of the big teams or feature on the major sports betting sites, it’s easier and cheaper to secure tickets to see their games live.
So if you’re a resident of Virginia Beach, here are three teams that would really welcome your support.
Virginia Beach United FC
Soccer has always had its fans in the country and there have even been some very big names tempted over to see out their professional days playing for teams here.
Next year, when the FIFA World Cup is set to be played across the US, Canada and Mexico it’s certain to take off even more.
So what better time to start getting behind the region’s very own soccer team, Virginia Beach United FC?
The team plays in the fourth division of the USL League Two and its home stadium is at the Virginia Beach Sportplex. It’s been in existence since 2019 and 2024 was United’s best season ever when they qualified for the playoffs. Unfortunately, they got no further than the quarterfinals. But head coach Chris Mills will be hoping that his team will make it even further this year.
If you’re interested in becoming a supporter there’s some very good news for you. Unlike some teams whose season tickets can run into four figures, getting to see every one of VBUFC’s home matches will cost just $100, or $80 for young people – that works out at well under $10 per game.
Norfolk Admirals
If you like your sporting action to be fast and furious then the Norfolk Admirals might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The ice hockey team was founded back in 1995 and have been going from strength to strength ever since. Their home rink is at the 11,000 seat Norfolk Scope Arena, assuring plenty of ticket availability for matches.
The team plays in the ECHL against opposition drawn from across the US and Canada and is coached by Jeff Carr.
Like Virginia Beach United FC, the 2023-24 season was the best ever in the team’s history. Not only did they reach the end of season playoffs, they made it through to the second round, only to be knocked out by the Adirondack Thunder.
Probably the most famous player ever to have strapped on his skates and turned out for the Admirals has been Ian White. Over his career he played for many of the biggest NHL teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Calgary Flames and the Detroit Red Wings. He played for the team throughout 2023 before being released in November of that year.
Norfolk Tides
Baseball fans aren’t going to be left out either. Norfolk Tides have existed in one form or another since as far back as 1961 when they were launched as the Portsmouth Norfolk Tides. After this they were known as the Tidewater Tides until their final name change in 1993.
The team plays minor league baseball in the International League and have done so since 1969.
Over the years the Tides have enjoyed great success including many championship victories, In 1965 it was the Carolina League Championship and they also won the top prize in the International League with Governors’ Cup victories in 1972, 1975, 1982, 1983 and 1985.
In 1983 they also won the Triple A World Series and, as an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, they won a further International League Championship and Triple A World series in 2023.
The team plays its home games at Harbor Park, their base ever since 1993. If you can’t make it down there to watch in person then all their home games are broadcast on ESPN 94.1 as well as directly through the WVSP-FM website and on the MiLB First Pitch app.
To watch a game then subscribe to MiLB.TV with the audio coming through via a radio simulcast.
So there you have them. Three great teams from Virginia Beach, or thereabouts, to get behind. Whichever one you choose to follow you’re sure of excitement, action, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re backing a local team.
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