Austin’s Expanding Sports Landscape
Austin’s Expanding Sports Landscape
Austin’s sports industry is experiencing dynamic growth, driven by its increasing population, strong economy and the city’s enthusiastic fan base. Despite the strong presence of Austin FC, the MLS club entering its fifth season on the pitch, there remains a significant opportunity for expansion at the minor and major league levels.
Take, for example, Austin’s bid for a WNBA team that launched on February 10, 2025, with a group including former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry and NBA star Kevin Durant (USA Today). This bid solidifies the gap in the sports market that future teams will look to capitalize on.
Beyond Austin FC and a WNBA bid, the city of Austin is well-positioned to support additional professional teams, as evidenced by its current minor league presence. The popularity of minor league baseball in the Round Rock Express illustrates a strong local fan base for the sport. The city’s increasing population density could make a professional baseball team sustainable.
Austin already boasts an AHL franchise, the Texas Stars, who play at the H-E-B Center in nearby Cedar Park, further demonstrating the area’s ability to support high-level athletics. Though Austin has not yet secured an NHL or MLB franchise, the city’s expanding corporate presence and economic strength suggest that such additions could become viable.
However, while opportunities abound for new sports ventures, Austin remains an unlikely candidate for an NFL team due to several key factors.
The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans dominate Texas football culture, and Jerry Jones' influence would likely prevent the addition of another franchise that could dilute the state’s lucrative NFL market.
UT football commands significant attention, financial investment and local fan loyalty, presenting challenges for an NFL team to establish a strong foothold in the city.
Finally, Austin lacks a stadium capable of supporting an NFL franchise, and building a new venue would require an enormous financial and political effort.
Austin’s growth in professional sports will likely come from leagues outside the NFL. The combination of corporate backing, fan enthusiasm and the city's reputation as a sports-friendly environment makes it a prime candidate for future expansion in professional baseball, hockey, basketball, and indoor football, among other sports properties.
As Austin's surrounding counties’ population surpasses 2.3 million and is expected to grow to four million in the next 25 years, the demand for live sports experiences rises parallelly (Spectrum News 1). Unlike larger cities with saturated sports markets, Austin still presents opportunities for new teams to carve out their niche.
