Small Markets, Big Fandom: Nielsen Unveils Local NFL Fandom Index

Nielsen released its Local NFL Fandom Index ranking NFL markets by fan avidity using eight metrics (apparel purchases, event attendance, streaming, social media following, TV viewership, radio listening, betting intent, and overall interest). Buffalo, Kansas City, and Green Bay lead the list, with four AFC North teams (Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh) also in the top 10, and Philadelphia, Detroit, and New Orleans close behind. The analysis highlights that smaller legacy markets tend to have higher per-capita engagement while large cities like New York and Los Angeles score lower due to fragmented fandom and saturated entertainment options, underscoring the idea that true NFL fandom is intensely local and may influence scheduling and programming decisions.