Sports obsession: Nevada takes top place, according to new research
- Nevada is the most sport-obsessed state in the US, according to our new research
- Analysis of Google search data reveals the states most obsessed with sports
- East Coast states dominate the list, taking six out of the top ten spots

Nevada is the most sports-obsessed state in the US based on research made by JustGamblers, and it’s not without a reason that The Silver State ranks number one according to our online gambling experts.
We analyzed Google data for the most common searches related to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, UFC and WWE to determine which states are the most obsessed with sports.
Nevada: The Sports-Obsessed Leader
Known for desert landscapes, vibrant nightlife, and, most importantly, Las Vegas. The state tops the list with a monthly average of 85,406 sport-related searches per 100,000 people. NFL is by far the most popular league in the state, with 31,182 of the total average monthly search volume dedicated to NFL-related terms.
It’s noteworthy that Nevada comes out on top despite its relatively small population. The reason for this is that Nevada is home to the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas. For residents and visitors alike, sports betting is a common pastime that drives up the search numbers.
Delaware: Second Place Despite Size
In second place below Nevada is Delaware, with a monthly average of 72,283 searches per 100,000 people. Despite being one of the smallest states in the US, Delawareans are die-hard sports fans, and the NFL is the most searched league in the state, with an average monthly search volume of 34,132 per 100,000 people for NFL-related terms.
New York: Third Place with a Passion for NBA
Close behind in third place is New York, with an average of 71,514 sport-related searches each month per 100,000 people. New York’s most searched league is the NBA, with an average monthly search volume of 22,866 per 100,000 people – only narrowly edging out NFL searches at 22,310 monthly searches per 100,000 people.
Rhode Island: Fourth Place for the Smallest State
Rhode Island ranks fourth with an average of 69,428 searches per 100,000 people. The smallest state in terms of area in the US, little Rhody, is full of sports enthusiasts. The most searched league is the NFL, with an average monthly search volume of 26,770 per 100,000 people.
Massachusetts: Close Behind in Fifth Place
Massachusetts is very close behind in fifth place. With a total average monthly search volume of 69,088 per 100,000 people, the Bay State only just lost out on fourth place. NBA narrowly edges out the NFL to be the most searched league in the state, with an average monthly search volume of 23,882 per 100,000 people, compared to the 23,358 of that of NFL.
New Jersey: Sixth Place Sports Obsession
The remainder of the top ten features New Jersey in sixth place, with a monthly average of 67,312 sport-related searches per 100,000 people. NFL is the most searched league in the state with an average monthly search volume of 23,869 NFL-related terms per 100 people, clear of second place, which would be NBA at 19,288 average monthly NBA-related searches per 100,000 people. The people of the Garden State are least interested in the NHL, with only 4,875 NHL-related average monthly searches per 100,000 people – somewhat surprising given the success of the Devils this season.
Arizona, Hawaii, California, and Maryland: Rounding Out the Top Ten
Seventh place goes to Arizona, with 64,846 searches per 100,000 people. Hawaii comes in at eighth place with an average of 64,200 searches per 100,000 people. California is hotly contesting eighth place in ninth place, with a total average monthly search volume of 63,868. Finally, rounding off the top ten list in tenth place is Maryland, with 63,566 sport-related searches per 100,000 people.
NFL Dominates Searches in Most States
NFL is almost universally the most searched league across every state, except New York, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and Georgia, in which NBA narrowly beats NFL as the most searched league.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the state with the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas, is responsible for the most sports-related queries. This study further signifies the relationship between sports and betting, in the same way we know that betting drive viewership numbers of sports events. When viewed as a type of engagement, for me, sports betting is unrivalled in getting fans to interact with their favorite sports and teams.”
- Patrik Lidin, Head of Content at JustGamblers.
Methodology:
Top keywords related to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, UFC, and WWE were gathered using keyword analysis, and monthly search volume data was analyzed using Google Keyword Planner. Results were then calculated per 100,000 state residents to give a ranking of the most sport-obsessed states.
Rank | State | Total Search Volume Per 100k | Rank | State | Total Search Volume Per 100k |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nevada | 85,406 | 26 | North Carolina | 48,160 |
2 | Delaware | 72,283 | 27 | Oregon | 47,406 |
3 | New York | 71,514 | 28 | Ohio | 46,695 |
4 | Rhode Island | 69,428 | 29 | Georgia | 46,301 |
5 | Massachusetts | 69,088 | 30 | Wyoming | 44,381 |
6 | New Jersey | 67,312 | 31 | Missouri | 44,360 |
7 | Arizona | 64,846 | 32 | Montana | 44,054 |
8 | Hawaii | 64,200 | 33 | South Dakota | 44,022 |
9 | California | 63,868 | 34 | Utah | 43,784 |
10 | Maryland | 63,566 | 35 | South Carolina | 42,835 |
11 | Connecticut | 62,814 | 36 | Mississippi | 41,789 |
12 | Pennsylvania | 62,522 | 37 | Iowa | 41,371 |
13 | Colorado | 62,037 | 38 | Michigan | 40,547 |
14 | Illinois | 58,899 | 39 | Alaska | 40,291 |
15 | New Hampshire | 58,558 | 40 | Indiana | 39,944 |
16 | Minnesota | 57,690 | 41 | Kansas | 38,300 |
17 | Florida | 57,233 | 42 | Louisiana | 37,618 |
18 | Wisconsin | 53,417 | 43 | Tennessee | 37,290 |
19 | Virginia | 53,407 | 44 | Nebraska | 37,044 |
20 | Maine | 52,655 | 45 | Idaho | 36,885 |
21 | North Dakota | 52,325 | 46 | West Virginia | 32,622 |
22 | Vermont | 51,715 | 47 | Kentucky | 28,877 |
23 | Washington | 51,664 | 48 | Arkansas | 28,544 |
24 | New Mexico | 51,598 | 49 | Alabama | 27,362 |
25 | Texas | 48,288 | 50 | Oklahoma | 26,281 |