Sports teams in Virginia

Virginia lacks any professional major-league sports teams, making it the most populous U.S. state without such franchises. However, two Washington, D.C.-based major league teams—the NFL’s Washington Commanders and NHL’s Washington Capitals—have their practice facilities and operational headquarters in Northern Virginia.

Efforts to establish major league teams in Virginia have been unsuccessful. For instance, a proposal to bring the National Hockey League (NHL) to Norfolk in the late 1990s was rejected by the NHL, resulting in the expansion franchise becoming the Columbus Blue Jackets instead. Similarly, plans to relocate the Houston Astros to Northern Virginia in 1996 were thwarted by Major League Baseball (MLB). In 2004, MLB considered moving the Montreal Expos to Norfolk or a site near Washington Dulles International Airport but ultimately chose Washington as the team’s new home.

The Virginia Squires played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1970 to 1976 but were excluded from the ABA’s partial merger with the NBA after the 1975-1976 season. The Virginia Destroyers competed in the United Football League (UFL) in 2011 and 2012 before folding along with the league.

Currently, Old Glory DC of Major League Rugby began playing at Segra Field near Leesburg, Virginia, starting in 2021.