Top 10 Cities that Most Need a Major League Baseball (MLB) Team

You've seen the expansion talk heat up. You've heard the rumors. And maybe you've looked around your own city, squinting at that outdated minor league park, thinking, Yeah, we could absolutely pull this off.

Not every city is built for the big leagues. But some? Some are practically begging for a team to call their own.

They've got the population. They've got the money. They've got fans ready to paint their faces, argue about bullpen usage, and blow their rent checks on season tickets. All they're missing is the actual franchise.

MLB has not added a new team since the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays joined the league in 1998, but expansion remains very much on the table. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly discussed the possibility of growing the league from 30 to 32 teams, with realignment likely to follow if two new franchises are added.

This is your chance to call it like you see it. Which cities are long overdue for the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd? Who has the stadium proposals, ownership interest, fan base, and TV market to make the whole thing worth more than just another round of sports-radio daydreaming?

Vote for the cities you think are ready to step up to the plate.

The Top Ten

  1. Charlotte

    Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina. It serves as a major U.S. financial hub and is the home of the Bank of America headquarters. The city's population as of 2023 was an estimated 900,000, reflecting its rapid growth in recent decades.

    If the MLB expands teams to North Carolina, I hope they get two teams. I would put one in the Charlotte area and the other in the Raleigh area. The state only has NFL, NHL, and NBA teams: the Carolina Panthers of Charlotte, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Carolina Hurricanes of Raleigh. North Carolina has too large a population not to have an MLB team.

    If it happens and the state gets two teams, I'd put the Charlotte team in the National League in a new expanded NL South Division. I'd put the Raleigh team in the American League in a new expanded AL South Division. That would create the main interleague rivalries. The whole Southern United States needs more MLB teams. The MLB needs to do this in the next five years. Charlotte is just too big of a city to have only two pro sports teams. They need to have an MLB team soon.

  2. Montreal

    Montreal is the most populous municipality in the Canadian province of Quebec and the second-most populous in the country. It was originally known as Ville-Marie and takes its name from Mount Royal, a three-peaked hill located in the city center.... read more

    Once the Tampa Bay Rays' lease expires for their current stadium, Tropicana Field, I think they could move the Rays to Montreal. Montreal seems to be growing again and needs another chance. Tampa fails to fill seats, and did I mention their stadium is terrible?

    The Blue Jays have played exhibition games there the past few years, and they've sold out every game. Montreal wants baseball, and if the Rays don't renew their lease with the city of St. Petersburg, they may just get their wish.

  3. New Orleans

    The City of New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana by population. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly in music, cuisine, and festivals. New Orleans is especially famous for its role in the development of jazz and for hosting the annual Mardi Gras celebration.

    Here's my idea: Keep baseball in the United States by relocating the Blue Jays from Toronto and putting the team in New Orleans. Demolish the Superdome (but keep Champions Square), and build the baseball park on the site. The Saints will get a new stadium that will be bigger than Cowboys Stadium. WHO DAT!

    New Orleans is a large city with tall skyscrapers. Despite the damage from Hurricane Katrina, it's still a great city. The culture there is marvelous, and so is the food. The Saints are terrible, and no one cares about the Pelicans. New Orleans SHOULD get an MLB team.

  4. Nashville

    Nashville is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is widely recognized for its role in the country music industry, earning it the nickname Music City. The city is home to major landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

    The City of Nashville has two out of the four main major pro sports teams: the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL) and the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). In my opinion, both teams have been pretty average over the last five years. The Titans and Predators made the playoffs during the 2017-2018 seasons. The Predators are always very good and make the playoffs almost every time.

    Nashville has one of the best college baseball teams in the Vanderbilt Commodores, and they give a lot of support to the Titans and Predators. I think Nashville should also have an NBA team along with an MLB team. The Southern United States should have at least five more teams in addition to the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. I'm sure there are Nashville Metropolitan Area residents who are fans of the Braves, Reds, and Cardinals. These fans could easily fill up a proposed baseball stadium in Nashville.

    If I were deciding which league (American or National) to put them in, I'd choose the American League, mainly because the closest city (Atlanta) to Nashville with an MLB team is in the National League. Here are some possible team names for a proposed Nashville MLB team:

    1. Nashville Guitarists

    2. Nashville Frontiers

    3. Nashville CountryMen

    4. Nashville Pride

    5. Nashville Middle Tennesseans

    6. Nashville Roadrunners

    7. Nashville Pathfinders

  5. Portland, OR

    Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and serves as the seat of Multnomah County. It is a major port in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest. The city is located at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

    Most cities with over 400,000 people in America and Canada should have a baseball team. But definitely, Portland should have baseball, just like they have an NBA team, the Trail Blazers. I was thinking of a baseball team to be called the Roses, the Rangers, the Blue Jays, or the Rays. Any terrible team can be relocated here.

    Yes! Portland needs a baseball team! That way, when the Mariners go to games in Portland, they don't have to travel as much. (The Mariners have to travel more when they're on the road than any other MLB team.)

    - EloquentRacer92, unregistered

  6. Indianapolis

    Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is best known for hosting the Indianapolis 500, a prestigious automobile race. The city's White River State Park features green spaces and major attractions such as the Indianapolis Zoo and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.... read more

    Indianapolis already has two major sports franchises and is a larger city with a greater population than most cities with a team.

    Indianapolis has NFL and NBA teams. The Colts and Pacers are great teams. I think the closest MLB team to Indianapolis is the Cincinnati Reds. The Colts and Pacers get great support, so I think an MLB team can get great support as well.

    All cities in America and Canada with over a million people should have a baseball team, and so should Indianapolis, which is the state capital and largest city in Indiana. Indianapolis can and should be able to support a baseball team.

  7. Las Vegas

    Las Vegas, officially the City of Las Vegas and commonly called Vegas, is the most populous city in Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. With a population that ranks it 28th in the United States, it is known worldwide for its vibrant entertainment industry, casinos, and nightlife.... read more

    The perfect reason to spend a day with the family on your weekend bachelor trip!

  8. Salt Lake City

    Too many people look at just the Salt Lake metro area. The truth is that the Wasatch Front is really an amalgamation of three good-sized metro areas that are much bigger than Denver. Not to mention that Utah boasts five of the top 20 fastest-growing cities in the nation right now. Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer) is one of the best-attended and successful sports franchises in the nation. It stands to reason why the Wasatch Front does not have an MLB team. It should be noted that an MLB team in Salt Lake would not have to compete with the NFL for attendance.

    The people in Utah need more professional sports teams to root for. The weather is really great during the summer, and there are a lot of kids who have, do, or will play baseball at some point in their lifetime.

  9. Buffalo

    Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York and the largest city in Western New York. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River. Buffalo is known for its historic architecture, cultural institutions, and as the birthplace of Buffalo wings... read more

    There has to be a team in the Northeast other than Boston, as their fan base is too big. Buffalo is the only other big city far up north that could support a team.

  10. Louisville

    I believe that the City of Louisville would be a great fit not only for MLB but also for NBA and NFL teams (although I'm not sure about NHL or MLS expansion). Kentucky is known for its strong sports culture, especially college sports, particularly basketball. I think Louisville is large enough to support an MLB team.

    The closest MLB team to Louisville is the Cincinnati Reds, with Louisville being only 1 hour and 35 minutes away from Cincinnati. In my opinion, Louisville would be the best city to support an MLB, NBA, and NFL team, especially since it currently does not have any major professional sports teams. Additionally, Louisville Slugger bats are made there, so it seems feasible for Louisville to support an MLB team.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Fort Wayne, IN

  12. ?

    Saskatoon

    13. The Contenders

  13. Vancouver

    Vancouver is a coastal seaport city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. It is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in the country. Vancouver is a popular filming location and was the host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

    With a metro population of just over 3 million and only one major league franchise, Vancouver could easily support an MLB team. It would make a natural rival for the Mariners. Single-A baseball is so popular in Vancouver that most games are sold out, and tickets are often scalped.

    I would love to have an MLB team in Vancouver. Maybe another one in Portland (OR) for geographical reasons. Then the Astros could go back to the NL Central. The Rangers could move to the AL Central, where they belong, and Vancouver and Portland could join the AL West. The NL West would be the LA Dodgers, Arizona, San Francisco, Colorado, and San Diego. The AL West could be Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Oakland, and the LA Angels.

  14. Brooklyn

    Brooklyn unfairly lost the Dodgers in the '50s and has great sports fans.

  15. San Antonio

    San Antonio deserves a team. Some people in San Antonio want to go to games but probably go to the Texas Rangers or Houston Astros. If the city of San Antonio gets a team, people don't have to worry about going to Dallas or Houston to see the Rangers or Astros play. People could go to games right in San Antonio.

    San Antonio needs a team because people should not have to go all the way to Dallas or Houston to see the Rangers or Astros play. That way, people in San Antonio who want to see a game can go to games right in San Antonio. The San Antonio team should be in the National League because the Rangers and Astros are in the American League.

  16. Hartford

    It's a small market, but there are proven sports fans thanks to the Whalers. It could give a nice New England rivalry with Boston.

  17. Oklahoma City

    After all that has happened to that city, especially the terrorist bombings, this city would support a team. Look how they support the Thunder in the NBA.

    Another city that could use a team.

  18. Columbus

  19. Albuquerque

    Situated in the high desert of New Mexico, Albuquerque is known for its rich Southwestern culture and stunning natural landscapes. The city hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, one of the world's largest hot-air balloon events. Its Old Town preserves Spanish colonial and Native American... read more

    I went to an Isotopes game, and they sold out. I think they are a great city to host baseball. Wouldn't that be the only professional sport in New Mexico?

    I think MLB would do very well in Albuquerque. This has always been a great baseball town, and youth baseball is booming here.

    A city that shows that they love baseball. It could be like Oklahoma City in the NBA.

  20. Memphis

    Memphis is a city located along the Mississippi River in southwestern Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It is the second-most populous city in Tennessee and is known for its influential contributions to blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll music. Memphis is also home to Graceland, the estate of Elvis... read more

    If Memphis were to get an MLB team, where would a proposed stadium be located? Downtown Memphis is not as large as other major cities. Then, create a new NL division called the NL South. Memphis should add other big three pro sports teams besides the Memphis Grizzlies. The way Memphis supports the Grizzlies, there should be no reason why an MLB, NFL, and NHL team shouldn't get that same type of support.

    Memphis should get a team because the people in Memphis go to St. Louis for the Cardinals. If Memphis gets a team, the interleague rival would be Nashville. In my opinion, the Memphis team should be in the National League and the Nashville team in the American League.

  21. Little Rock, AR

    Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is located along the Arkansas River. The city played a significant role in the American Civil Rights Movement, with the Central High School National Historic Site commemorating this history. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is a prominent landmark.... read more

    The people in Little Rock go to either Dallas for the Rangers or St. Louis for the Cardinals. People should not have to do that. If Little Rock gets a team, the stadium can be built on Interstate 40 or Interstate 30.

  22. Austin, TX

    The people in Austin either go to Dallas for the Rangers or Houston for the Astros. Austin is a pretty big city in my opinion. Some good team names for Austin could be the Austin 35ers or the Austin Innovators. The stadium could be built off of I-35 or in Round Rock. So when Austin has a team, people do not have to go all the way to Dallas or Houston for the Rangers or Astros.

    If there is a baseball team in Austin or San Antonio, the team deserves to be in the National League Central. I say this because the Rangers and Astros are both in the American League. Even in the National League West, there is plenty of competition between the Dodgers, D-Backs, and Rockies. And there is not enough excitement in the National League West.

  23. Richmond, VA

  24. Edmonton

    Edmonton, the capital of Alberta in Canada, is known for its vibrant festivals and striking natural beauty. The West Edmonton Mall is one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in North America, attracting millions of visitors each year. The North Saskatchewan River Valley provides a vast... read more

    Canada needs more than just one baseball team. The Blue Jays are the only team up there.

  25. Green Bay

  26. Quebec City

    Quebec City, officially named Québec, is the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec. It was founded in 1608 and is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. As of 2021, the city had a population of over 549,000, with a metropolitan population exceeding 839,000, making it the second-largest... read more

  27. Omaha

    Omaha is a big supporter of baseball.

8Load More
PSearch List