For the sake of simplicity, this list will only focus on national (non-regional, non- National Football League) outdoor (i.e., not arena football or leagues with similar rules) North American football teams not covered in other lists; i.e., the

All-America Football Conference The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the ...

, the first three universally recognized as major incarnations of the

American Football League The American Football League (AFL) was a major professional American football league that operated for ten seasons from 1960 until 1970, when it merged with the older National Football League (NFL), and became the American Football Conference. ...

Continental Football League The Continental Football League (COFL) was a professional American football minor league that operated in North America from 1965 through 1969. It was established following the collapse of the original United Football League, and hoped to beco ...

World Football League The World Football League (WFL) was an American football league that played one full season in 1974 and most of its second in 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest t ...

, American Football Association, United States Football League, non-

European European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...

teams from the World League of American Football, Canadian Football League (including predecessors and

South Division South Division may refer to: * South Division (AFL), a division of the Arena Football League * South Division (CFL), a former division of the Canadian Football League * South Division (NAHL), a division of the North American Hockey League * South ...

teams), the 2001

XFL XFL may refer to: Sports * XFL (2001), a defunct American football league that played its only season in 2001 * XFL (2020), a professional American football league Vehicles * Bell XFL Airabonita, a 1940 U.S. Navy experimental interceptor aircra ...

, and the

Alliance of American Football The Alliance of American Football (AAF) was a professional American football minor league. The AAF consisted of eight centrally owned and operated teams in the southern and western United States, seven of which were located in metropolitan are ...

; that played at least one game. As a general rule, only teams with existing Wikipedia articles are listed here. See the

list of defunct National Football League franchises Membership in the National Football League (NFL) is certified by a franchise. A franchise is awarded by the league to each member club, and serves as the league's authorization to operate as a professional football club in their city. Franchise ...

list of Continental Football League teams The Continental Football League was an American football league that operated in North America from 1965 through 1969. The league was primarily formed by minor-league teams that had played in the United and Atlantic Coast football leagues. In F ...

, and defunct Arena Football League teams for defunct teams in those leagues.

A

Alabama Hawks The Alabama Hawks were a professional American football team based in Huntsville, Alabama. They were members of various minor league football circuits in the 1960s: the Southern Football League (1963–64); the North American Football League ...

(1968) *

Akron Pros The Akron Pros were a professional football team that played in Akron, Ohio from 1908 to 1926. The team originated in 1908 as a semi-pro team named the Akron Indians, but later became Akron Pros in 1920 as the team set out to become a charter mem ...

(1926) * Arizona Hotshots (2019) * Arizona Outlaws (1985) *

Arizona Wranglers The Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League that, name-wise, existed from late 1982 to mid-1985. They played at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, a su ...

(1983–84) *

Atlanta Legends The Atlanta Legends were a professional American football franchise based in Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which played one season from February 2019 to April 2019. They played their h ...

(2019)

B

* Baltimore Colts (1947-50) * Baltimore Stallions (1994–95) * Birmingham Americans (1974) * Birmingham Barracudas (1995) * Birmingham Fire (1991–92) * Birmingham Stallions (1983–85) * Birmingham Vulcans (1975,

1979 Events January * January 1 ** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...

) * Birmingham Thunderbolts (2001) * Birmingham Iron (2019) * Boston Bears (1940) * Boston Brawlers (2014) * Boston Bulldogs (1926) * Boston Shamrocks (1936–37) * Boston Sweepers/New Bedford Sweepers (1962–66) * Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC) (1946–48) * Buffalo Bisons, 1946; renamed

Buffalo Bills (AAFC) The Buffalo Bills were an American football team, based in Buffalo, New York, that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. During its first season in 1946, the team was known as the Buffalo Bisons. Unlike the Cleveland Br ...

, 1947–49 * Buffalo Indians/Tigers (1940–41)

C

Charlotte Stars Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populou ...

(1974) * Charlotte Hornets (WFL) (1975) * Chicago Blitz (1983–85) *

Chicago Enforcers The Chicago Enforcers were a short-lived American football team based at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. This team was part of the failed XFL begun by Vince McMahon of WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American ...

(2001) * Chicago Fire (1974, 1979) *

Chicago Owls The Chicago Owls were a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were members of the Professional Football League of America (PFLA) in 1967 and, after the leagues merged, the Continental Football League (COFL) during th ...

(1960s) *

Chicago Rockets The Chicago Rockets were an American football team that played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 to 1949. During the 1949 season, the team was known as the Chicago Hornets. Unlike the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, an ...

, 1946–48; renamed

Chicago Hornets The Chicago Rockets were an American football team that played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 to 1949. During the 1949 season, the team was known as the Chicago Hornets. Unlike the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, an ...

, 1949 * Chicago Winds (1975) * Cincinnati Bengals (1937–1941) * Columbus Bullies (1940–41)

D

Denver Gold The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional American football, football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985. The Gold played the ...

(1983–85) * Detroit Wheels (1974)

E

Erie Veterans Erie (; ) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Erie is the List of cities and boroughs in Pennsylvania by population, fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city i ...

(1924–50)

F

Florida Blazers The Florida Blazers were an American football team who played in the World Football League in 1974. The team moved to San Antonio in 1975 and became the San Antonio Wings. History The Blazers began in 1974 when oceanographic engineer E. Joseph W ...

(1974) * Florida Tuskers (2009–10)

H

* Hartford Colonials (2009–11) *

Hartford Knights The Hartford Knights were a professional American football team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They began play in 1968 as a member of the Atlantic Coast Football League, replacing the Hartford Charter Oaks. For the 1969 season, they became the af ...

(1968–73) *

The Hawaiians Hawaiians are the indigenous people of the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiians or The Hawaiians may also refer to: * The Hawaiians (WFL), a football team in the World Football League from 1974 to 1975 * The Hawaiians (film), ''The Hawaiians'' (film), a 1 ...

(1974–75) * Houston Gamblers (1983–85) *

Houston Texans The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division, and play their home ga ...

(1974)

J

* Jacksonville Bulls (1983–85) *

Jacksonville Express The Jacksonville Express were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida which competed in the World Football League (WFL) in 1975. They were preceded in 1974 by the WFL's Jacksonville Sharks, though the two teams had s ...

(1975) * Jacksonville Sharks (1974)

L

* Las Vegas Locomotives (2009–12) * Las Vegas Outlaws (2001) * Las Vegas Posse (1994) * Los Angeles Buccaneers (NFL) (1926) * Los Angeles Bulldogs (1936–48) *

Los Angeles Dons The Los Angeles Dons were an American football team in the newly formed football league the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 to 1949, and played their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dons were the first profes ...

(1946–49) * Los Angeles Express (1983–85) *

Los Angeles Wildcats Los Angeles Wildcats is a name shared by several American football teams from Los Angeles: * Los Angeles Wildcats (AFL), a team that played in the American Football League of 1926 * Los Angeles Wildcats (Minor League AFL), a team that played in the ...

(1926–27) *

Los Angeles Xtreme The Los Angeles Xtreme was a professional American football team based in Los Angeles, California. The team was a member of the XFL (2001), XFL, begun by Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment and by NBC, a major television network in the ...

(2001)

M

* McKeesport Olympics (folded no earlier than 1940) *

Miami Seahawks The Miami Seahawks were a professional American football team based in Miami, Florida. They played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in the league's inaugural season, 1946, before the team was relocated to Baltimore. They are notable ...

(1946) * Memphis Express (2019) * Memphis Mad Dogs (1995) * Memphis Maniax (2001) * Memphis Showboats (1983–85) * Memphis Southmen (1974–75) * Michigan Panthers (1983–85) * Milwaukee Chiefs *

Montreal Concordes The Montreal Alouettes ( French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the East Division of the Cana ...

(1982–87) * Montreal Machine (1991–92)

N

* New Jersey Generals (1983–85) * New York/New Jersey Hitmen (2001) * New York/New Jersey Knights (1991–92) *

New York Stars New York Stars could refer to: *New York Stars (WBL), a team that played two seasons in the Women's Professional Basketball League before disbanding in 1980 *New York Stars (WFL), a team in the World Football League that relocated in 1974 and becam ...

(1974) * New York Yankees (AAFC),1946–48; merged with Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming Brooklyn/New York Yankees, 1949 * New York Yankees (1940 AFL) *

Norfolk Neptunes The Norfolk Neptunes were an American football franchise based in Norfolk, Virginia that played in the Continental Football League from 1965 until 1969 and the Atlantic Coast Football League from 1970 to 1971. The team played at Foreman Field a ...

(1966–71)

O

* Oakland Invaders (1983–85) *

Ohio Glory The Ohio Glory were a professional American football team in NFL Europe. They played one season (1992) in the World League of American Football, which later became NFL Europe. Columbus, Ohio was awarded the WLAF franchise after the Raleigh-Dur ...

(1992) *

Omaha Mammoths The Omaha Mammoths were a professional football team based in Omaha, Nebraska. They were a charter member of the Fall Experimental Football League, which was trying to become the developmental league for the National Football League. They played ...

(2014) * Omaha Nighthawks (2010–12) *

Orange/Newark Tornadoes The Orange Tornadoes and Newark Tornadoes were two manifestations of a long-lived professional American football franchise that existed in some form from 1887 to 1941 and from 1958 to 1970, having played in the American Amateur Football Union from ...

(1888-1965) *

Orlando Panthers The Orlando Panthers were a professional American football team based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1958 as the Franklin Miners, the team spent its first four years in the Eastern Football Conference, then three further years in the Atlantic Coas ...

(1966–71) * Orlando Rage (2001) * Orlando Thunder (1991–92) * Orlando Renegades (1983–85) * Orlando Apollos (2019) * Ottawa Renegades (2002–05) *

Ottawa Rough Riders The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. Formerly one of the oldest and longest-lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine ...

(1876-1996)

P

Philadelphia Bell The Philadelphia Bell was a franchise in the World Football League, which operated in 1974 and a portion of a season in 1975. The Bell played their home games in 1974 at JFK Stadium in South Philadelphia. The team logo was a representation of th ...

(1974–75) * Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (1983–85) *

Pittsburgh Maulers Pittsburgh Maulers may refer to: * Pittsburgh Maulers (1984), United States Football League team * Pittsburgh Maulers (2022) The Pittsburgh Maulers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Maulers compet ...

(1983–84) *

Portland Breakers The Portland Breakers were an American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) in the mid-1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and ...

(1985) * Portland Storm (1974) * Portland Thunder (1975) * Providence Steam Roller (1916–42, 1962–64)

R

Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks The Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks were an American football team headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina that played for one season in 1991 in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The name was inspired by the Wright brothers' flights on t ...

(1991) *

Richmond Rebels The Richmond Rebels were one of eight teams in the United States Baseball League, and were based in Richmond, Virginia. The league collapsed within two months of its creation from May 1 to June 24, 1912. The Rebels were managed by Alfred Newma ...

S

Sacramento Gold Miners The Sacramento Gold Miners were a Canadian football team based in Sacramento, California. The franchise was the first American team in the Canadian Football League. The Gold Miners inherited a home stadium, front office staff and much of the rost ...

(1993–94) *

Sacramento Mountain Lions The Sacramento Mountain Lions was a professional American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rect ...

/California Redwoods (2009–12) * Sacramento Surge (1991–92) *

Salt Lake Stallions The Salt Lake Stallions were a professional American football franchise based in Salt Lake City, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which began play in February 2019. The Stallions were the northernmost team in ...

(2019) * San Antonio Gunslingers (1983–85) * San Antonio Riders (1991–92) *

San Antonio Wings The San Antonio Wings were an American football team who played in the World Football League in 1975. The team started as the Florida Blazers in 1974, then moved to San Antonio in 1975 and became the San Antonio Wings. History The Florida Blazers ...

(1975) * San Antonio Texans (1995) * San Antonio Commanders (2019) *

San Diego Fleet The San Diego Fleet was a professional American football franchise based in San Diego, California, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). The league began play in February 2019, with the team playing its home game ...

(2019) * San Francisco Demons (2001) * Shreveport Pirates (1994–95) *

Shreveport Steamer The Shreveport Steamer were a professional American football team in the World Football League. The franchise began the 1974 season in Houston, Texas, as the Houston Texans (no connection to the current NFL team of the same name), playing their ...

(1975, 1978–81) *

Southern California Sun The Southern California Sun were an American football team based in Anaheim, California that played in the World Football League in 1974 and 1975. Their records were 13-7 in 1974 and 7-5 in 1975. Their home stadium was Anaheim Stadium. They wer ...

(1974–75) * Sarnia Imperials (1928-1955) *

St. Louis Gunners The St. Louis Gunners were an independent professional football team based in St. Louis, Missouri, that played the last three games of the 1934 National Football League season, replacing the Cincinnati Reds on the league schedule after the Reds' ...

(1935–39)

T

* Tampa Bay Bandits (1983–85) * Toronto Rifles (1964–67)

V

* Vancouver Grizzlies (1941) * Virginia Destroyers (2011–12)

A

B

C

D

E

F

H

J

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

See also