How Many Pro Football Teams Are There? (2025 Data)

By Sarah Miller · November 23, 2047

There are currently 32 professional football teams in the National Football League (NFL), the premier professional American football league in the world. These teams are evenly divided between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), each with 16 teams. The NFL is the most prominent pro football league globally, though other leagues such as the United States Football League (USFL), XFL, Canadian Football League (CFL), and European League of Football (ELF) also feature professional teams, bringing the global total to over 100 when including international and developmental leagues.

Understanding Professional Football Leagues and Teams

The term "professional football" can refer to different sports depending on regional context—in the U.S., it typically means American football, while elsewhere it often refers to soccer. This article focuses on American professional football, primarily the NFL, which dominates the landscape.

What Defines a Professional Football Team?

A team whose players are paid salaries to play football as their primary occupation
Operates under a recognized league structure with standardized rules
Engages in regular-season competition followed by postseason playoffs
Maintains front-office staff, coaching personnel, and player development systems

NFL Structure: AFC vs NFC

The NFL's 32 teams are split into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference consists of 16 teams organized into four divisions—East, North, South, and West—with four teams per division.

Key Facts About NFL Conferences

The AFC and NFC were established during the 1970 AFL-NFL merger
Each conference crowns a champion who competes in the Super Bowl
Team alignment helps balance regional rivalries and travel logistics
The league may expand to 34 or even 36 teams in the future, pending expansion plans

Other Professional American Football Leagues

While the NFL is the dominant force, several other professional leagues operate at lower tiers or in niche markets:

Active Professional Leagues Beyond the NFL

XFL: Founded by Vince McMahon, relaunched in 2023 with 8 teams; merged operations with USFL in 2024 to form United Football League (UFL)
USFL: Original version in 1980s; rebooted in 2022 with 8 teams; now part of UFL
United Football League (UFL): Formed in 2024 from XFL-USFL merger; features 8 teams across spring football season
Canadian Football League (CFL): Canada's top league with 9 teams playing under CFL rules
European League of Football (ELF): Rapidly growing semi-pro to pro league with 18 teams across Europe as of 2025

League	Country	Number of Teams	Season Type	Notable Notes
National Football League (NFL)	USA	32	Fall (Sept–Feb)	Most popular & highest-paid pro football league
United Football League (UFL)	USA	8	Spring (Mar–June)	Merged XFL and USFL; serves as developmental league
Canadian Football League (CFL)	Canada	9	Summer (June–Nov)	Uses 3-down football; includes one U.S.-based team historically
European League of Football (ELF)	Europe	18	Summer (May–Sept)	Fastest-growing international pro league; expanding annually
Indoor Football League (IFL)	USA	16	Winter/Spring	One of many indoor arena football leagues
Arena Football League (AFL)	USA	6 (as of 2025 relaunch)	Spring/Summer	Historic indoor league revived after bankruptcy

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4

The data shows that while the NFL remains the largest and most influential professional football league, alternative leagues like the UFL and ELF are gaining traction. The UFL consolidates spring football under one brand, aiming to serve as a complementary platform to the NFL. Meanwhile, the ELF's rapid expansion highlights growing global interest in American football outside North America.

Global Growth of Professional Football

Professional American football is no longer confined to the United States. Countries like Germany, Austria, Poland, Spain, and Mexico have seen increased investment in local leagues and player development programs. The NFL itself hosts international games in London, Munich, and Mexico City to grow its global footprint.

Factors Driving International Expansion

NFL International Series games increase visibility
ELF provides competitive opportunities for European athletes
Social media and streaming platforms make games accessible worldwide
Grassroots youth programs are emerging in non-traditional markets

Frequently Asked Questions About Pro Football Teams

How many NFL teams are there in 2025?

As of 2025, there are 32 teams in the National Football League (NFL). This number has remained stable since the addition of the Houston Texans in 2002. No expansion is scheduled before 2028, though discussions about adding two more teams continue.

Will the NFL expand to 34 teams?

Yes, NFL expansion to 34 teams is widely expected within the next decade. Cities like Los Angeles (potential second team), St. Louis, Toronto, and San Antonio are frequently mentioned as candidates. However, no official vote or timeline has been confirmed by the league as of 2025.

Are there any professional football leagues besides the NFL?

Yes, several professional American football leagues exist beyond the NFL, including the United Football League (UFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), European League of Football (ELF), Indoor Football League (IFL), and Arena Football League (AFL). These leagues vary in size, pay scale, and level of competition.

How many teams are in the UFL?

The United Football League (UFL), formed in 2024 from the merger of the XFL and USFL, currently has 8 teams. These include four legacy XFL franchises and four legacy USFL franchises, competing in a spring football season from March to June.

Is the CFL considered a professional football league?

Yes, the Canadian Football League (CFL) is a fully professional league with 9 teams as of 2025. Players receive salaries, and the league operates under strict governance. While smaller than the NFL, the CFL maintains a strong fan base in Canada and offers an alternative style of play with 3-down football and larger fields.