Charlotte is leading the charge as North America’s fastest-growing sports market, according to a recent study by Sportbet.one. The city is forecasted to experience a staggering 51.1% growth in sports revenue by 2030, rising from $923 million in 2024 to $1.395 billion. This growth places Charlotte at the top of the rankings for projected revenue increases among cities with professional sports teams.
The driving force behind this success? Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), which is expected to see an extraordinary 233.8% revenue increase, climbing from $80 million in 2024 to $267 million by 2030. Coupled with significant growth for the Carolina Panthers (29.2%) and Charlotte Hornets (43.7%), the city is solidifying itself as a burgeoning sports hub.
Charlotte is ranked first in the whole of North America, thanks to some stellar revenue growth projected for Charlotte FC in the MLS.
| Team | Sport | City | State | Country | Revenue 2024 (Millions) | Predicted 2030 Revenue (Millions) | Predicted Percentage Change (2024-2030) |
| Carolina Panthers | NFL | Charlotte | North Carolina | USA | $574.0 | $741.5 | 29.2% |
| Charlotte Hornets | NBA | Charlotte | North Carolina | USA | $269.0 | $386.5 | 43.7% |
| Charlotte FC | MLS | Charlotte | North Carolina | USA | $80.0 | $267.0 | 233.8% |
Southeast Cities Shine
Charlotte’s rise is part of a broader trend in the Southeast, with Miami, FL, and Atlanta, GA, also showing impressive revenue projections. Miami is forecasted to grow by 43.1%, reaching $1.98 billion by 2030, while Atlanta’s revenue is expected to increase by 40.9%, surpassing $2.02 billion.
Nashville Among Rising Stars
Nashville, TN, continues its sports market ascent, with a projected 39.3% revenue growth. Its three professional teams are predicted to generate over $1.1 billion in revenue by 2030, up from $798 million in 2024.
Legacy Cities Continue to Dominate
While newer markets like Charlotte and Nashville see rapid growth, established sports cities remain revenue powerhouses. Los Angeles, with nine professional teams, tops the list in total revenue, expected to generate $4.92 billion by 2030—a 36.4% increase. Dallas and Houston are also strong contenders, projecting 36.7% and 36.2% revenue growth, respectively.
Fastest Growing Sports
The report highlights that Formula 1 (F1) and MLS are leading the charge in sport-specific revenue growth. F1 revenues are predicted to grow by 62%, fueled by increasing U.S. popularity, while MLS is set to grow by 60% as the league gains traction in traditional football and basketball markets. By contrast, the NFL, while remaining the top earner, will see a slower growth rate of 29%.
Canadian Contender
Toronto is the only non-U.S. city to make the top 20 list, projecting a 25.1% revenue increase. The city’s four professional teams are expected to generate $1.22 billion by 2030, up from $977 million in 2024.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The predicted growth in these cities underscores the increasing economic and cultural significance of sports in North America. In Charlotte, the success of teams like Charlotte FC, the Carolina Panthers, and the Charlotte Hornets is a testament to the city’s evolving sports landscape and the community’s enthusiastic support.
Charlotte’s Bright Future
As Charlotte leads North America in sports revenue growth, the city cements its place as a rising star in the industry. With investments in infrastructure, marketing, and fan engagement, the Queen City’s sports teams are poised to not only compete on the field but also dominate in economic influence.
For more details on the report, visit the Sportbet.one blog.
Fastest Growing Sports of 2030
| Sport | Combined Revenue 2024 | Predicted Combined Revenue 2030 | Growth |
| Formula 1 | $3,805.00 | $6,193.85 | 62% |
| MLS | $1,908.00 | $3,159.68 | 60% |
| NBA | $10,014.00 | $14,162.33 | 42% |
| NFL | $20,237.00 | $26,062.83 | 29% |
| NHL | $6,432.00 | $7,969.73 | 24% |
| MLB | $11,344.00 | $13,644.22 | 19% |
By 2030, Formula 1 is set to outpace all other sports in growth, with revenues projected to rise by 62% to $6.19 billion. MLS isn’t far behind, with a 60% increase as its popularity continues to surge. The NBA also sees solid gains, growing 42% to $14.16 billion.
Meanwhile, the NFL remains the top earner, reaching $26.06 billion, though its growth is slower at 29%. The NHL and MLB show more modest increases of 24% and 19%, highlighting a steady rise for established leagues compared to the rapid climb of newer contenders.
For more information on the report, please visit the site here: https://sportbet.one/blog/ranking-2030s-most-valuable-sports-teams/
Top 20 Teams for Revenue Growth Teams in North America
| Rank | City | State | Country | Teams | Revenue 2024 (Millions) | Predicted 2030 Revenue (Millions) | Predicted Percentage Change (2024-2030) |
| 1 | Charlotte | North Carolina | USA | 3 | $923.0 | $1,395.0 | 51.1% |
| 2 | Miami | Florida | USA | 4 | $1,385.0 | $1,981.6 | 43.1% |
| 3 | Atlanta | Georgia | USA | 4 | $1,435.0 | $2,022.2 | 40.9% |
| 4 | Nashville | Tennessee | USA | 3 | $798.0 | $1,111.8 | 39.3% |
| 5 | Dallas | Texas | USA | 3 | $1,774.0 | $2,425.3 | 36.7% |
| 6 | Los Angeles | California | USA | 9 | $3,608.0 | $4,923.1 | 36.4% |
| 7 | Houston | Texas | USA | 4 | $1,503.0 | $2,047.1 | 36.2% |
| 8 | San Francisco | California | USA | 3 | $1,888.0 | $2,508.9 | 32.9% |
| 9 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA | 3 | $1,182.0 | $1,553.4 | 31.4% |
| 10 | Cleveland | Ohio | USA | 3 | $1,245.0 | $1,629.1 | 30.9% |
| 11 | Detroit | Michigan | USA | 4 | $1,284.0 | $1,678.3 | 30.7% |
| 12 | Denver | Colorado | USA | 5 | $1,405.0 | $1,834.5 | 30.6% |
| 13 | Boston | Massachusetts | USA | 3 | $1,100.0 | $1,428.8 | 29.9% |
| 14 | Kansas City | Kansas | USA | 3 | $958.0 | $1,213.9 | 26.7% |
| 15 | Cincinnati | Ohio | USA | 3 | $935.0 | $1,184.7 | 26.7% |
| 16 | Chicago | Illinois | USA | 6 | $2,018.0 | $2,532.4 | 25.5% |
| 17 | Toronto | Ontario | Canada | 4 | $977.0 | $1,222.5 | 25.1% |
| 18 | New York City | New York | USA | 8 | $2,789.0 | $3,419.6 | 22.6% |
| 19 | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | USA | 3 | $1,111.0 | $1,358.4 | 22.3% |
| 20 | Seattle | Washington | USA | 4 | $1,268.0 | $1,504.1 | 18.6% |
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