Atlanta is home to a number of professional sports teams that compete in many of the major leagues that can be found across the United States of America.
Indeed, the state has a number of passionate sports fans located in the region, although many have been left asking the question in regard to where can you find the latest gambling news in Georgia as sports betting is yet to be made legal within its borders. For more details, you can check out the Casino Genie.
Nonetheless, this does not appear to have had an impact on how passionate fans are when it comes down to supporting the teams that find themselves playing in the city.
There are a total of five professional major league sports teams to currently bear the Atlanta name, with each of them has been able to be rather competitive in the sports that they play and in the divisions that they continue to compete in.
But which teams represent the great city of Atlanta?
Atlanta Braves (Baseball)
Atlanta is represented in baseball and in the MLB by the Atlanta Braves, a team that has managed to bring the most success to the state in regard to the total number of championships.
Since moving to Georgia in 1966 (despite having been established in 1871), the MLB franchise has managed to obtain two World Series titles (four in total) whilst located in the area, having won one in 1995 and as recently as 2024 when they defeated the Houston Astros 4-2.
The Braves will have been looking forward to getting to the field for the 2024 MLB season, although the lockout that continues to be experienced has already had an impact on the upcoming campaign. Commissioner Rob Manfred has already revealed that the season will not be starting on time and will see some regular-season games be canceled, with the first two series being the games to have been impacted.
Hopefully, we will be able to get to see the Braves back in action sooner than later at Truist Park!
Atlanta Falcons (American Football)
It is hardly a surprise that the state of Georgia is represented in American Football, either, with the sport being one of the most popular sports in the entirety of the country.
Indeed, the Atlanta Falcons – who play their games at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium – are a member of the NFL and play their games in the NFC South. They are yet to taste Super Bowl success, although Matt Ryan almost provided them glory in Super Bowl LI.
However, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots had other ideas as they overturned a 28-3 deficit in the second half to take the game to overtime where they would win 34-28.
Since their appearance in 2016 in the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons have struggled for consistency. The 2017 season saw the team reach the postseason on their new stadium, but were unable to progress beyond the NFC Divisional playoff game where they lost to eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 2018 and 2019 seasons saw the Falcons finish second in the NFC South with records of 7-9 but these were not enough for the team to be able to advance and progress into the postseason, whilst 2020 and 2024 were perhaps considered disasters for the franchise.
A record of 4-12 was obtained in 2020, whilst 2024 saw the team achieve a slightly better record of 7-10 following the addition of one extra game from that season in the NFL onwards.
Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Dream (Basketball)
Atlanta is home to two different professional basketball teams, with one playing in the NBA and one participating in the WNBA.
The Atlanta Hawks are the men’s professional side and continue to compete in the NBA at the State Farm Arena, although they are yet to taste title success since being in Georgia.
Since being based in Atlanta, though, the Hawks have managed to win six Division titles, with each of those being recorded in 1970, 1980, 1987, 1994, 2015, and most recently in 2024.
The Atlanta Dream is the state’s female WNBA franchise and was recently formed in 2008 as the sport continued to gain traction and popularity. Playing their games at the Gateway Center Arena, the franchise is yet to bring a championship to Georgia, either, and things have not been the same in recent years for the organization in regard to season performances.
Under Marynell Meadors, the team managed to qualify in each of her seasons in charge, whilst also doing so under the guidance of Fred Williams. However, Michael Cooper had a mixed time in charge of the franchise as he saw the team qualify twice and miss out twice in his four seasons.
Since the 2017 season, the Atlanta Dream has managed to reach the playoffs on just one occasion. This was in the 2018 season where they managed to get to the Conference Finals but were beaten by the Washington Mystics.
Atlanta United (Soccer)
Soccer is a sport that continues to be the most popular sport around the world, whilst it continues to receive owing interest from the American public.
The Atlanta United MLS franchise will have certainly played a role in ensuring that the interest of the sport within Georgia grows, though, as they have proven to be rather successful in their short existence.
An expansion team in 2017 when they made their debut, the organization to play their home matches at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was able to win the MLS Cup in just their second season of playing competitive soccer under the guidance of Gerardo Martino.
Final Thoughts
It is clear to see that sports are hugely popular in the city of Atlanta, with a number of top franchises representing the city. However, it could be argued that they have been underwhelmed at times throughout history and have perhaps not done the city justice when it comes down to winning and obtaining championships.
Hopefully, this will change in the future for the great city of Atlanta, as there is no denying that they deserve to see more sporting success than they have received already.
