The NFL preseason is in full swing, and while the Seattle Seahawks are busy defending their Super Bowl title after that blowout win over the Patriots, a new study is stirring up debate off the field. Nielsen has just dropped its inaugural “Nielsen Scarborough NFL Fandom Index,” a deep dive into what makes each fan base tick. It’s not just about who shows up to the stadium—this index measures everything from local TV ratings to radio listenership, live attendance, and even betting habits, all to figure out where the league’s true passion lives.
The results are in, and they’re turning heads. Small-market, legacy cities like Buffalo, Kansas City, and Green Bay top the list, with Cincinnati and Philadelphia rounding out the top five. As Nielsen puts it, there’s a clear “small market, concentrated loyalty” pattern, especially in the AFC North, where Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland all land in the top 10. That cluster’s strength comes from old-school, local engagement—think radio, TV, and showing up to games—not from streaming or betting.
But what about the other end of the spectrum? Which fan bases are struggling to keep up? Nielsen’s index has some answers, and they might sting a little. The bottom of the barrel features a mix of big-market teams and franchises that have seen better days, and it’s sparking plenty of conversation as we head into the new season.
The 10 Worst Fan Bases, According to the Index
Here’s the rundown, from the most disappointing to the least disappointing among the bottom feeders:
- New York Giants (tied for last) – Despite playing in the biggest media market, the Giants’ fan base ranks dead last, tied with their stadium mates.
- New York Jets (tied for last) – The Jets share the basement with the Giants, and it’s not hard to see why: years of losing have taken a toll on enthusiasm.
- Los Angeles Rams (tied for second-worst) – Even a recent Super Bowl appearance couldn’t lift the Rams out of the doldrums.
- Los Angeles Chargers (tied for second-worst) – The Chargers have long struggled to build a home-field advantage, and this index confirms it.
- Miami Dolphins – A passionate fan base, but one that’s been inconsistent in showing up, especially when the team struggles.
- Arizona Cardinals – Another market where interest seems to wane quickly when things go south.
- Atlanta Falcons – Despite a new stadium and a competitive roster, the Falcons can’t seem to crack the top tier of fan engagement.
- Carolina Panthers – A young franchise, but the fan base hasn’t grown as quickly as the team hoped.
- Tennessee Titans – Nashville is a sports town, but the Titans’ fan base ranks surprisingly low.
- Las Vegas Raiders – The move to Sin City hasn’t translated into the kind of passionate, consistent support you’d expect from such a storied franchise.
It’s worth noting that the Giants and Jets were technically tied for the last spot, while the Rams and Chargers were also tied for the second-worst. That makes for a lot of shared misery in New York and LA.
What This Means for the NFL
This index isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s a wake-up call for teams. A lackluster fan base can hurt everything from ticket sales to local TV deals, and it can even impact a team’s ability to attract free agents. For the teams at the bottom, the message is clear: win games, but also find ways to connect with your community on a deeper level.
On the flip side, the top-ranked fan bases show that you don’t need a huge market to create a massive impact. Buffalo, Kansas City, and Green Bay are proof that loyalty and passion can trump size any day.
As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on these bottom-dwellers to see if they can turn things around. And if you’re looking for more on what to expect this year, check out our early projections for the NFL’s worst teams, or dive into the latest on Giants QB Jaxson Dart, who’s already giving fans a scare this preseason.
For the teams at the bottom, the season can’t start soon enough—and for their fans, maybe a fresh start is exactly what’s needed.
