The National Football League (NFL) has undergone significant transformations since its inception in 1920. From its humble beginnings as a regional professional football league to becoming one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, the NFL has experienced tremendous growth. One of the most frequently asked questions about the NFL is: how many teams are there today?
To understand the current NFL landscape, it’s essential to examine the league’s historical development. The NFL was founded on August 20, 1920, as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), with ten teams from the Midwest. The league changed its name to the National Football League in 1922. Over the years, the NFL has expanded, contracted, and undergone several mergers, shaping the modern league.
The Early Years: Expansion and Contraction (1920-1960)
In its early years, the NFL experienced significant fluctuations in team count. The league began with ten teams but soon expanded to 22 teams by 1926. However, financial difficulties and competitive imbalance led to a contraction, with the number of teams dwindling to eight by 1936. The NFL then began to stabilize, with a gradual expansion to 13 teams by 1960.
The AFL-NFL Merger and Modern Expansion (1960-2002)
The creation of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960 marked a significant turning point in NFL history. The AFL-NFL rivalry ultimately led to a merger between the two leagues in 1970, resulting in a 26-team NFL. The merged league continued to expand, adding teams in Seattle and Tampa Bay in 1976 (although both teams were temporarily relocated due to financial issues), and then the Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore in 1996, becoming the Ravens, while the original Browns name and history remained in Cleveland, and an expansion team was established in Cleveland in 1999.
| Year | Event | Team Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | AFL-NFL Merger | 26 |
| 1995 | Cleveland Browns relocation | 30 |
| 1999 | Cleveland Browns re-establishment | 31 |
| 2002 | Houston Texans expansion | 32 |
The addition of the Houston Texans in 2002 brought the total number of NFL teams to 32. This marked the end of a period of significant expansion and restructuring in the league.
The Modern NFL: 32 Teams (2002-Present)
Today, the NFL consists of 32 teams, divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference is further divided into four divisions of four teams each. The current team count has remained stable since 2002, with no recent expansions or contractions.
The NFL’s 32 teams are:
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
- AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
- AFC West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
- NFC East: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
- NFC North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
- NFC South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- NFC West: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
While there have been rumors of potential expansion to 34 or 36 teams, the NFL has not made any official announcements regarding changes to the current team count.
How many NFL teams are there currently?
+There are currently 32 NFL teams.
When was the last NFL expansion?
+The last NFL expansion occurred in 2002, when the Houston Texans were added, bringing the total team count to 32.
Are there any plans for NFL expansion?
+While there have been rumors and discussions about potential NFL expansion, there are no official plans or announcements from the league.
How are NFL teams divided?
+The 32 NFL teams are divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC), with each conference further divided into four divisions of four teams each.
In conclusion, the NFL has evolved significantly since its inception, with the current team count standing at 32. Understanding the league’s history and structure provides valuable context for appreciating the complexities of the NFL and its continued popularity.
