How Many NFL Teams in California? (2025 Update)

By Sarah Miller · February 8, 2031

California is home to 5 NFL teams, the most of any U.S. state: the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and two collegiate powerhouses often mistaken for professional franchises—though only these four compete in the NFL, with a fifth team sometimes referenced due to misclassification of college programs.

NFL Teams in California

California currently hosts four active National Football League (NFL) teams, with five if including temporary designations. The NFL is the top professional American football league in the United States, and California’s representation reflects its large population and media markets.

Current NFL Franchises

Los Angeles Rams – NFC West, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Los Angeles Chargers – NFC West, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
San Francisco 49ers – NFC West, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

These three teams are the official NFL franchises based in California as of the 2025 season.

College Football Powerhouses in California

While not professional teams, several NCAA Division I FBS programs in California are highly prominent and often contribute players to the NFL. These include:

University of Southern California (USC) Trojans
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins
Stanford University Cardinal
University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears
Oregon State and Washington State temporarily competing in Pac-12 while affiliated with California-based operations

Though not part of the NFL, these collegiate teams increase the perception that California has more than three professional teams.

Historical and Relocation Context

The number of NFL teams in California has fluctuated due to franchise relocations:

The Rams originally played in Los Angeles from 1946–1994 before moving to St. Louis, then returning in 2016.
The Chargers relocated from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017.
The Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020, reducing California’s NFL count from five to three.

This history explains why some sources may still reference five teams.

California-Based Professional Football Teams Compared

Team	League	Division	City	Stadium	Founded	Joined NFL
Los Angeles Rams	NFL	NFC West	Inglewood	SoFi Stadium	1936	1937
Los Angeles Chargers	NFL	AFC West	Inglewood	SoFi Stadium	1960	1960 (AFL), 1970 (AFL-NFL merger)
San Francisco 49ers	NFL	NFC West	Santa Clara	Levi's Stadium	1946	1946 (All-America Football Conference), joined NFL in 1950
USC Trojans	NCAA FBS	Pac-12	Los Angeles	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	1888	N/A (college)
UCLA Bruins	NCAA FBS	Pac-12	Los Angeles	Rose Bowl	1919	N/A (college)

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table highlights the distinction between professional NFL teams and major college programs in California. While only three NFL teams are currently based in the state, the presence of elite college football programs like USC and UCLA contributes significantly to the state's football culture. SoFi Stadium houses two NFL teams under one roof—a rare arrangement in professional sports.

Common Questions About California Football Teams

How many NFL teams are in California in 2025?

As of the 2025 NFL season, there are three NFL teams based in California: the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers.

Why do some people say California has 5 football teams?

This misconception arises from combining NFL teams with major college programs like USC and UCLA. Additionally, prior to the Raiders' move to Las Vegas in 2020, California had five NFL teams across three cities.

Which California city has two NFL teams?

Los Angeles is home to two NFL teams: the Rams and the Chargers. Both share SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, making it one of the few stadiums in the U.S. to host two professional football franchises.

Did Oakland have an NFL team?

Yes, the Oakland Raiders played in Oakland from 1960 until 2019. They relocated to Las Vegas in 2020 and are now known as the Las Vegas Raiders, reducing California’s NFL count to three.

Are there any women's professional football teams in California?

There are currently no Women's National Football League (WNFL) or equivalent full-contact professional women's tackle football teams based in California, though amateur and semi-pro leagues exist. Several female athletes from California play in national women's football leagues.