Potential Future Pro Expansion Teams Explored
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 16 January 2025
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
Future Pro Sports Teams
With the current landscape of major professional leagues stacked with an array of popular legacy franchises, we’re always excited by the prospect of new expansion teams. Not only does this create new stories and rivalries, but it also gives fans in unrepresented regions a chance to back a local enterprise. Fortunately, there are several confirmed and rumored expansions set to hit the professional sports world in the coming years, so we’ve highlighted these potential new locations in this guide.
Intro to the Future Pro Sports Franchises
The landscape of professional sports in the US is constantly changing. With the growing popularity of sports and the potential for expansion both domestically and internationally, new professional teams are more likely than ever to emerge in the coming years. We’ve started this article by discussing the chances of future pro sports teams debuting.
We’ve then discussed the potential cities, states, and regions that are rumored or confirmed to be hosting new professional teams. From Las Vegas to Europe, these new teams could completely redefine the sporting landscape, ensuring leagues’ viability well into the future.
- About the Future Pro Teams
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Oregon, Portland
- San Antonio, Texas
- California’s New Teams
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Possible European Teams
About the Future Pro Sports Teams
The prospect of new professional teams emerging in the US is an exciting one. The primary reason behind future pro sports franchises emerging is simply market demand. As sports continue to grow in popularity, there is an increasing demand for more teams, more games, and more competition. Often seen as a profitable investment, many wealthy backers are also willing to get involved.
Franchise expansions also help leagues reach new markets, whether domestically or internationally. The NBA, NFL, and MLB in particular have experienced astronomical growth overseas, while leagues such as the WNBA and MLS continue to set records in attendance and viewership. By creating new teams in untapped regions, the leagues can unlock new streams of revenue.
New sports teams can also bring economic benefits by creating jobs and boosting local economies. They also create civic pride in communities, helping to foster connections and promote culture in host cities. The following cities and regions are expected to benefit from these if and when new franchises are launched.
Las Vegas, Nevada
In the last 10 years, Las Vegas has made a staggering entrance into the major professional sports market. This began in 2017 when the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team became the first major professional team in the city. The Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA followed in 2018, with the Raiders NFL team beginning in 2020.
The Raiders, which relocated from Oakland, have already proven to be successful, making a playoff appearance in 2021. While the launch of three pro expansion teams in such a short time would suggest a cooling-off period for the region, that’s not the case, with Oakland’s MLB Athletics team expected to transfer to the city by 2028.
There are also suggestions that the city could launch an NBA expansion team. Notable talents such as LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have expressed interest in backing a Vegas team, and its population of wealthy tycoons could fund the roughly $7 billion required to build a new stadium and cover associated costs.
Portland, Oregon
In September 2024, the WNBA announced that a new team would be launched in Portland, marking the first new team in the league since 2008. While the franchise is yet to be named, the new WNBA team is set to debut in 2026 and will play at the Moda Center alongside NBA team the Portland Trail Blazers.
This means that those who bet on the WNBA online will soon have three more teams to back, with California’s and Toronto’s expansion teams launching in the next two years. Another interesting prospect is the launch of a new MLB baseball team, which has been pitched since 2019.
Although MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed an interest in expanding the league, there are issues with stadiums to be addressed first. Fortunately for the city, the so-called Diamond Project is working on purchasing land for the new stadium to better its chances of launching future pro sports franchises.
San Antonio, Texas
Home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, the seventh largest city in the US is no stranger to the world of professional sports. The Spurs have brought the city considerable fame on the world stage, having clinched the NBA championship five times since 1999.
Interestingly, while the NBA has been a major success in San Antonio, there’s a huge gap with the lack of an MLB or NFL team. Considering the popularity of its new UFL team, the San Antonio Brahmas, and the population of Texas, a new NFL team is not completely out of the question.
As for an MLB team, there is speculation that the city could unite with Austin to host one of several potential expansion teams predicted for the league. However, it’s possible that the sole duties could be awarded to Austin due to its large population, concentration of wealth, and experience hosting major sports teams.
California’s New Teams
As the most populous state in the USA, it’s no surprise that several new sports franchises have been announced in California. In 2025, the Golden State Valkyries is set to represent San Francisco in the WNBA. The team is set to play its home games at Chase Center which it will share with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
This year will also mark the debut of San Diego FC in the MLS. The club, which is the 30th to open in the league, will play at Snapdragon Stadium. After the stadium set women’s soccer attendance records for the San Diego Wave in 2022, the city’s entry into soccer’s major league is predicted to be immensely successful. Keep an eye out for the team at sportsbooks with MLS betting markets when it comes to wagering this year.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City presents a great opportunity for the expansion of US sports franchises. The city boasts a population of over 9 million, indicating significant market potential. The NFL has been putting on games here from as far back as 2005, and they’re frequently attended by both local and US fans thanks to its proximity to the border.
Rumors are swirling that the NFL is considering an international location for a new franchise, and Mexico City would be a wise option. According to the NFL’s most recent survey, the league has built a fanbase of more than 20 million in Mexico, so a local team would already benefit from a strong following.
It’s not just the NFL that’s considering an entry into the city. The NBA has also shown an interest, having held more than 30 games in Mexico City in recent years. The league also made a pretty significant move during the 2021-22 season by adding a G League team, the Mexico City Capitanes.
New expansion teams in Mexico would make sense for the major sports leagues, with athletes not having to travel too far for games. The region’s reputation for passionate and loyal fanbases is also renowned, which is set to be experienced by the world in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Europe
Another global region that represents potential for future pro sports teams is the UK and Europe. The NFL has found immense success in its global games series, with upcoming games already planned for Spain and London. This has led to speculation that a new expansion team is being considered in London.
Recently, international basketball federation FIBA announced that it was in serious conversations about creating an NBA expansion league in Europe. This has caused speculation that new teams could be launched across the region to compete against the NBA, spelling a new era for global basketball.
