As one of the largest cities in Ohio, Cincinnati has a lot to offer residents and visitors. Besides visiting popular tourist attractions and enjoying world-class shopping and dining, you can also experience a wide array of exciting sports action. The city is home to a wide array of professional and amateur teams playing many different types of sports, from baseball to roller derby. Check out these seven well-loved sports teams in Cincinnati.
1. Cincinnati Reds
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The Cincinnati Reds are perhaps the most well-known sports team in Cincinnati because of their long history and outstanding track record. Established in 1869 as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, they're the oldest professional baseball team in the United States. Currently, the Reds are competing in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the Central Division of the National League (NL). They're one of the most successful MLB teams, having won five World Series championships, nine NL pennants, 10 division titles, and one American Association pennant.
The Cincinnati Reds host their home games at the 42,319-seat Great American Ball Park on Joe Nuxhall Way. They play many times at the stadium throughout the regular MLB season, which runs from late March or early April to late September or early October. If they make it to the playoffs, they'll continue to thrill fans until early November. On game days, you can catch famous MLB players such as Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama, Luis Castillo, and Sonny Gray in action.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
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If you're a football fan, you'll be glad to know that Cincinnati also has a National Football League (NFL) team. Founded in 1966, the Cincinnati Bengals belong to the North Division of the NFL's American Football Conference (AFC). They became the AFC champion in 1981 and 1988, but they lost in the Super Bowl on both occasions to the San Francisco 49ers. A number of NFL Hall of Famers played for the Cincinnati Bengals, including Anthony Munoz, Charlie Joiner, and Terrell Owens.
The Cincinnati Bengals' home venue is Paul Brown Stadium, which is located in downtown Cincinnati. Nicknamed 'The Jungle,' this stadium has a seating capacity of 65,515, making it one of the largest stadiums in Ohio. You can watch the Bengals play regular-season games from September to December or early January or playoff games in January. Currently, the top players of the Cincinnati Bengals are Joe Burrow, A.J. Green, Joe Mixon, and Geno Atkins.
3. FC Cincinnati
Futbol Club Cincinnati (FC Cincinnati) is a soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). Also known as Orange and Blue, this team was formed in 2015 and participated in the United Soccer League (USL) the following year. In 2018, its ownership group received an opportunity to start an expansion team from MLS and it began playing under the name FC Cincinnati. Despite its short history, the soccer club has already made a few notable achievements, including a U.S. Open Cup semifinal finish in 2017 and a USL conference semifinal appearance in 2018.
FC Cincinnati calls Nippert Stadium home. Situated on Bearcats Way, this historic 40,000-seat stadium is also home to the Cincinnati Bearcats, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 football team. It hosts regular-season MLS games from late February or early March to mid-October, as well as postseason games in late October and November if FC Cincinnati reaches the playoffs.
4. Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones are an ice hockey team that participates in the mid-level East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Founded in 1990, this minor league team has an affiliation with the Buffalo Sabers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Over the years, the Cyclones competed in the International Hockey League (IHL) and the ECHL as three different franchises. The franchises collectively won two Kelly Cups, three conference titles, five division titles, and two overall points titles. From 2007 to 2008, the team recorded the most successful season in the history of ECHL with 55 wins and 115 points.
Currently, the Cincinnati Cyclones play their home games at U.S. Bank Arena. Located next to Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati, this 17,556-seat arena is the largest indoor arena in Greater Cincinnati. It hosts the regular season home games of the Cyclones from October to April. The ECHL playoffs run from April to early June.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats Men's Basketball Team
While it doesn't have a major league basketball team, Cincinnati offers exciting entertainment for hoops fans in the form of Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball. Representing the University of Cincinnati, the Bearcats are a member of the American Athletic Conference of the NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament. With more than 1,800 wins, this team is one of the most successful college basketball programs of all time. Its achievements include two National Titles and six Final Four appearances.
The home court of the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team is the 12,000-seat Fifth Third Arena, which is located on Scioto Street at the University of Cincinnati. Regular season games take place from November to March, while tournament games are held from March to April.
6. Cincinnati Sizzle
The Cincinnati Sizzle is an all-female professional tackle football team that currently takes part in the Women's Football Alliance league. Established in 2003, this team has an impressive track record that includes a United States Women's Football League Championship title. During the regular season, the Cincinnati Sizzle plays its home games at Woodward High School from April to July.
7. Cincinnati Rollergirls
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The Cincinnati Rollergirls comprise two teams that belong to a women's amateur flat-track roller derby league in Cincinnati. The two teams, which are Black Sheep and Violent Lambs, compete against teams from other leagues affiliated with the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The Cincinnati Rollergirls' home ground is the 3,000-seat Schmidt Memorial Field House, which is situated on the campus of Xavier University. You can watch them take the track in this arena from April to July.
So, that's our list of favorite sports teams in Cincinnati. If you want to share more about your own favorite teams, don't hesitate to contact King's Toyota. Let us know who you love to root for.
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