California is home to 3 NFL teams: the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the San Francisco 49ers. That makes the Golden State one of just two states in the country (along with Florida) to host three NFL franchises.
Two of those teams play in Southern California at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, while the 49ers hold down the Bay Area at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
California once had four NFL teams. But the Oakland Raiders packed up and moved to Las Vegas in 2020, bringing the state’s count down to three. Even with that loss, California still leads most states in pro football representation. And with a population of roughly 39.5 million people, there’s more than enough fan support to go around.
Here’s the full breakdown of each team, where they play, their history, and how California stacks up against the rest of the NFL map.
California’s 3 NFL Teams: Quick Overview
| Team | Conference/Division | Stadium | Location | Founded | Super Bowl Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | NFC West | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA | 1946 | 5 |
| Los Angeles Rams | NFC West | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA | 1936 | 2 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | AFC West | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA | 1960 | 0 |
All three teams play in the NFC or AFC West divisions. The Rams and 49ers are NFC West rivals, which means they face each other twice every regular season. The Chargers compete in the AFC West alongside the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are the oldest professional football team in California. They were founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). When the AAFC merged with the NFL in 1949, the 49ers joined the league and have been a fixture ever since.
The team’s name comes from the prospectors who rushed to Northern California during the 1849 Gold Rush. That piece of history gives the franchise one of the most unique and regionally meaningful names in all of sports.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 (AAFC), joined NFL in 1949 |
| Stadium | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
| Stadium Capacity | 68,500 (expandable to 75,000+) |
| Owner | Jed York |
| Head Coach | Kyle Shanahan |
| Super Bowl Wins | 5 (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994 seasons) |
| Super Bowl Appearances | 8 |
| Conference | NFC West |
The 49ers dominated the 1980s and early 1990s like few franchises ever have. Under head coach Bill Walsh and quarterback Joe Montana, they won four Super Bowls in nine years. Steve Young then took over and led the team to a fifth title after the 1994 season with a 49-26 blowout over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.
I’ve always thought the 49ers’ dynasty years don’t get enough credit in modern football conversations. Five titles in 14 seasons is a run that only the Patriots have come close to matching since.
The team played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco from 1971 to 2013. They moved to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in 2014. The $1.3 billion venue was the first NFL stadium to earn LEED Gold certification for sustainability. Levi’s Stadium hosted Super Bowl 50 in February 2016 and Super Bowl LX in February 2026.
Despite the move to Santa Clara (about 45 miles south of San Francisco), the team still carries the San Francisco name. The 49ers have reached the Super Bowl three more times since their last win, losing after the 2012, 2019, and 2023 seasons.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have one of the most traveled histories in the NFL. The franchise was founded in 1936 in Cleveland. They moved to Los Angeles in 1946, making them the first NFL team on the West Coast. After decades in LA, they relocated to St. Louis in 1995. Then, in 2016, they returned to Los Angeles for good.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1936 (Cleveland) |
| Stadium | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Stadium Capacity | 70,240 (expandable to 100,000) |
| Owner | Stan Kroenke |
| Head Coach | Sean McVay |
| Super Bowl Wins | 2 (1999 and 2021 seasons) |
| Super Bowl Appearances | 5 |
| Conference | NFC West |
The Rams won their first Super Bowl after the 1999 season as the St. Louis Rams. That team, known as “The Greatest Show on Turf,” featured quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk. They beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16 in one of the most dramatic finishes in Super Bowl history, with linebacker Mike Jones making a game-saving tackle at the 1-yard line.
Their second championship came after the 2021 season. The Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI at their home stadium, SoFi Stadium. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp earned MVP honors, and Aaron Donald sealed the win with a clutch defensive stop on the Bengals’ final drive.
The Rams now play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a $5.5 billion facility that opened in 2020. It’s the most expensive stadium ever built and the largest in the NFL at 3.1 million square feet. The venue hosted Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and will serve as the site for the 2028 Summer Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers share SoFi Stadium with the Rams, but their franchise history takes a completely different path. Founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), the Chargers started in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego after just one season in 1961. They stayed in San Diego for 56 years before returning to LA in 2017.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1960 (AFL) |
| Stadium | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Stadium Capacity | 70,240 (expandable to 100,000) |
| Owners | Dean Spanos and Tom Gores |
| Head Coach | Jim Harbaugh |
| Super Bowl Wins | 0 |
| Super Bowl Appearances | 1 (1994 season) |
| Conference | AFC West |
The Chargers have never won a Super Bowl. Their only appearance came after the 1994 season, when they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX. Before joining the NFL through the 1970 merger, they won the 1963 AFL Championship with a 51-10 victory over the Boston Patriots. That remains the franchise’s only major title.
Look, the Chargers have had some genuinely special players over the years. Dan Fouts ran the legendary “Air Coryell” offense in the early 1980s. LaDainian Tomlinson put together one of the greatest rushing careers the league has ever seen. Junior Seau was a defensive force. And now Justin Herbert gives the franchise a legitimate star at quarterback heading into the 2026 season.
The team’s move from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017 was controversial. Fans in San Diego felt betrayed. The Chargers played three seasons at the smaller Dignity Health Sports Park before moving into SoFi Stadium in 2020 alongside the Rams.
Where Do California’s NFL Teams Play?
California’s three NFL teams play in two stadiums. The Rams and Chargers share SoFi Stadium in the greater Los Angeles area, while the 49ers play about 350 miles north at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area.
| Stadium | Location | Opened | Cost | Capacity | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA | 2020 | ~$5.5 billion | 70,240 (expandable to 100,000) | LA Rams, LA Chargers |
| Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA | 2014 | ~$1.3 billion | 68,500 (expandable to 75,000+) | SF 49ers |
SoFi Stadium is the crown jewel. The indoor-outdoor venue features a translucent ETFE roof canopy that covers the seating bowl while keeping the sides open to natural airflow. Its signature feature is the Infinity Screen, a massive oval double-sided 4K video board that hangs above the field. The stadium sits on a 298-acre development called Hollywood Park in Inglewood, just three miles from Los Angeles International Airport.
SoFi Stadium has already hosted some of the biggest events in sports. Super Bowl LVI took place there in February 2022. The 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship was played on its field. It’s hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. And it will be the main venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Levi’s Stadium brings a different feel. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s one of the most tech-forward stadiums in the NFL. High-speed Wi-Fi, a fan-facing mobile app, and solar panels on its roof make it a model of modern stadium design. The venue hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016 and Super Bowl LX in February 2026, when the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots.
Why Does California Have 3 NFL Teams?
The short answer: population and money.
California is the most populous state in the country, with roughly 39.5 million residents. That’s more people than second-place Texas (31.3 million) and third-place Florida (23.4 million). The state’s massive population base creates enormous demand for live sports entertainment.
The Los Angeles metro area alone has over 13 million people, making it the second-largest metro in the United States. The San Francisco Bay Area adds another 7.7 million. Those two regions together account for more than half the state’s population and provide the fan bases for all three teams.
California also has the economic power to support multiple franchises. If it were a country, California would have the fourth or fifth largest economy in the world. That kind of spending power means strong ticket sales, premium suite revenue, corporate sponsorships, and lucrative local TV deals for every team in the state.
Former California NFL Teams: The Oakland Raiders
California used to have four NFL teams. The Oakland Raiders played in the Bay Area for most of their existence before relocating to Las Vegas in 2020. Their departure is still a sore spot for many fans in Oakland.
| Period | Team Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1960-1981 | Oakland Raiders | Oakland, CA |
| 1982-1994 | Los Angeles Raiders | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1995-2019 | Oakland Raiders | Oakland, CA |
| 2020-present | Las Vegas Raiders | Las Vegas, NV |
The Raiders franchise was founded in Oakland in 1960 as a charter AFL member. Under legendary owner Al Davis, they became one of the NFL’s most iconic teams. They won three Super Bowls (after the 1976, 1980, and 1983 seasons) and built a passionate, loyal fan base known for its silver-and-black identity.
In 1982, Davis moved the team to Los Angeles after a legal battle with the NFL. They played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 13 seasons. In 1995, the Raiders moved back to Oakland.
But the aging Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum couldn’t keep up with modern NFL standards. After years of failed stadium proposals, NFL owners approved the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas in March 2017 by a vote of 31-1. The team officially relocated in 2020 and now plays at Allegiant Stadium, a $1.9 billion domed venue.
The San Diego Chargers also left California. They moved from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017. But since the team stayed within the state, that shift didn’t reduce California’s overall NFL team count.
[Internal Link Placeholder: Link to “NFL Teams That Have Relocated” article]
How Does California Compare to Other States?
California and Florida are tied for the most NFL teams of any state, with three each. Here’s how the top states stack up.
| State | Number of NFL Teams | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | LA Rams, LA Chargers, SF 49ers |
| Florida | 3 | Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Texas | 2 | Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans |
| Ohio | 2 | Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles |
Out of the NFL’s 32 teams, 22 states host at least one franchise. That leaves 28 states without an NFL team. New York is a tricky case. Three teams carry “New York” in their name, but the Giants and Jets both play at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Only the Buffalo Bills actually play home games in New York state.
Conclusion: California’s 3 NFL Teams Make It a Football Powerhouse
California’s three NFL teams give the state one of the strongest football footprints in the country. The San Francisco 49ers bring five Super Bowl titles and nearly 80 years of history.
The Los Angeles Rams offer two championships and play in the most expensive stadium on the planet. And the Los Angeles Chargers, while still chasing their first Super Bowl win, bring a passionate fan base and exciting roster to the mix.
The Raiders’ departure in 2020 stung, no question. But even with three teams, California remains tied with Florida for the most NFL franchises of any state. With a population closing in on 40 million and two world-class stadiums hosting games every fall, the Golden State isn’t losing its spot near the top of the NFL map anytime soon.
I’ll be watching to see if the Chargers can finally break through under Jim Harbaugh. If they do, California could have three Super Bowl contenders in the same state. That’s a storyline worth following all season long.
