The NFL regular season officially kicked off earlier this month, with droves of Chicago Bears fans flocking to Soldier Field on Sept. 8 for the team’s opening game.
Like many other Midwestern states, Illinois has countless opportunities for residents to cheer on their favorite teams all year round. But how does the Prairie State compare to its neighbors when it comes to the sports frenzy?
Smilehub, a nonprofit tech company that uses data to rate charities, ranked which states are “the best for sports lovers” based on the number of sports bars, professional teams and more.
Here’s what they found.
Best states for sports lovers 2025
The following states were found to be the most sports-friendly, according to the report:
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Illinois ranks among best states for sports lovers
Illinois ranked at No. 3 on the list, with an overall score of nearly 52 out of 100. The state also displayed the following metrics:
States with most sports and recreation charities per capita
States with most sports bars per capita
The following states reported about 24 times as many as sports bars per capita as the lowest states on the list:
States with most sports clubs per capita
1 (TIE). Florida
1 (TIE). California
3. Illinois
4. Pennsylvania
5. Texas
States with most sporting goods stores per capita
1 (TIE). California
1 (TIE). Colorado
1 (TIE). Florida
4. Michigan
5. Texas
Ranking methodology
The report ranked states based on the following factors:
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois ranks among best states for sports lovers. See why
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
