Like all states in the US, Virginia has a high density of sports fans. At Virginia Beach, in particular, the scope for water sports attracts thousands of tourists yearly, while the locals also head down to the sea to enjoy jet skiing, paddle boarding, and much more.
While the location is perfect for everything connected with water, all residents love their NFL. The only issue for fans here is that Virginia is the most populated state with no Major League franchise, so who should they support?
Top Performers
Youngsters getting involved with sports for the first time tend to be drawn to the best-performing teams in any division. As the 2024 NFL season headed into its playoff stage, published NFL odds showed that the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs were the two favorites to win the Superbowl.
Of those two franchises, the Chiefs have the better recent record in the competition. Having lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy for the first time in 1969, Kansas City followed up with three wins in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
The Kansas City Chiefs also possess several high-profile players. Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes was instrumental in his team’s recent Super Bowl wins, while Tight End Travis Kelce’s image on the field is boosted by his relationship with Taylor Swift.
Young and impressionable fans will be attracted to winning franchises with top players, and the Chiefs certainly fit that bill. There may be less support for the Detroit Lions, who are more of a skillful side, but the team is likely to find a following in Virginia Beach.
Local Connections
The only NFL franchise connected to Virginia is the Washington Commanders. There has been occasional talk of a Washington side relocating across state lines, and while that has yet to happen, the Commanders have a presence here.
The Washington Commanders currently has practice facilities in Northern Virginia, and its headquarters are also based here. The proximity between Virginia Beach and the Commander’s home ground at the Northwest Stadium in Maryland is another good reason to back the team.
On the field, Washington has won three Super Bowl titles, so they have a proud history, but the most recent successes came back in 1991. They may not be as competitive in the new millennium, but the Washington Commanders are as close to being a local team as Virginia Beach will get. For that reason alone, it makes sense to follow them.
Heading South
South of the state border, residents of Virginia Beach could head to North Carolina. There, they will find another NFL franchise in the shape of the Carolina Panthers. Based in Charlotte, the team plays at the Bank of America Stadium, which fills up toward its 75,000 capacity on most game weeks.
While they have no presence in Virginia, the proximity makes them another option for NFL fans here. Having been founded as recently as 1995, the Panthers have yet to win the Super Bowl, but they are a competitive team in the National Football Conference.
This franchise has won their NFC division on six previous occasions, and the Panthers have been Conference champions twice. It’s only a matter of time before they land their first Super Bowl win, and many Virginia Beach NFL fans will be there when it happens.
Popular Among Neutrals
Specific NFL teams enjoy significant fanbases worldwide; for different reasons, they are popular among neutral supporters. The Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots tend to have the most followers on social media.
In the case of the Patriots, no other team can boast more Super Bowl wins. Along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England holds the record with six trophies, so it’s easy to understand why they are popular.
Elsewhere, in a survey of the most likable teams in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers appeared at the top of the list. They have enjoyed success on the field, but being a publicly owned franchise has won them many neutral fans.
The Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins also ranked highly in that study of likable NFL teams.
NFL fans in Virginia Beach are free to follow whichever team they want. While those supporters will hope that Virginia eventually gets an NFL franchise, there is no shortage of interest in the league here.
Some will look at those teams closest to the state. If they want to attend a game in person, finding a franchise where traveling is reduced to a minimum makes sense. Others will opt for the most successful teams with the best players.
Without a professional NFL team, it’s all down to personal preference, and Virginia Beach fans have plenty of options for choosing their favorite football franchise.
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