Maryland is a state with a rich sports culture and history. From professional teams to college-level sports, Maryland has something for everyone. In this article, we will explore the five most popular sports in Maryland, based on the number of fans and participants in each sport.
First on the list is football, which is a beloved sport in Maryland. The state is home to two NFL teams, the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders. The Ravens have a large fan base and have won two Super Bowl championships. Additionally, many high schools and colleges in Maryland have football teams, making it a popular sport among students and alumni.
Next up is baseball, with the Baltimore Orioles being the state’s Major League Baseball franchise. The Orioles have a rich history, with three World Series championships and many legendary players. Baseball is also a popular sport among youth in Maryland, with many little leagues and travel teams available for kids to participate in.
Football
Maryland is a football-loving state, with a strong presence of both high school and college football. The state is also home to an NFL team, the Baltimore Ravens, and has a rich football history that has produced many notable players.
High School Football
High school football is a big deal in Maryland, with many talented players and competitive teams. Some of the most dominant programs in the state include:
- DeMatha Catholic High School
- Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
- St. Frances Academy
These schools have consistently produced top-tier talent and have won numerous state championships over the years.
College Football
While Maryland does not have any major college football programs, there are several smaller schools that have competitive teams. The University of Maryland, College Park is the largest university in the state and has a football team that competes in the Big Ten Conference. Other notable college football programs in Maryland include:
- Towson University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Navy
These schools have all had success in their respective divisions and have produced many talented players over the years.
Basketball
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Maryland, with a strong following at both the high school and college levels. Here are some of the key things to know about basketball in Maryland:
High School Basketball
High school basketball is a big deal in Maryland, with many schools boasting strong programs and passionate fan bases. The state has produced a number of top high school players over the years, including NBA stars like Carmelo Anthony and Rudy Gay.
One of the most notable high school basketball programs in Maryland is DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville. The school has won numerous state championships and has produced a number of NBA players, including Victor Oladipo and Jerami Grant.
Other top high school programs in Maryland include Mount Saint Joseph in Baltimore and Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia (which draws many of its students from Maryland).
College Basketball
College basketball is also very popular in Maryland, with several Division I programs located in the state. The University of Maryland is the most prominent of these programs, with a strong history of success and a passionate fan base.
The Terrapins have made two Final Four appearances in their history, winning the national championship in 2002. They play their home games at the Xfinity Center in College Park, which has a capacity of over 17,000.
Other Division I programs in Maryland include Towson University, UMBC, and Loyola University Maryland. While these programs may not have the same level of success as Maryland, they still draw dedicated fans and provide opportunities for local players to continue their basketball careers at the college level.
Baseball
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Maryland, with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Here are some of the highlights of baseball in Maryland.
High School Baseball
High school baseball is a popular sport in Maryland, with many talented players and competitive teams. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) oversees high school baseball in the state, with championships held annually in various divisions. In recent years, several Maryland high school baseball players have gone on to play at the collegiate and professional levels. Some notable players include Gavin Sheets, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2017, and Brandon Lowe, who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays.
College Baseball
College baseball is also a popular sport in Maryland, with several universities fielding competitive teams. The University of Maryland, College Park and Towson University are among the top programs in the state. In addition, Maryland is home to the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, a summer league for college baseball players. The league features teams from across the state and has produced several Major League Baseball players, including Justin Bour and Brandon Beachy. Overall, baseball has a strong presence in Maryland, with talented players and competitive teams at both the high school and college levels.
Soccer
Soccer is a popular sport in Maryland, with many high schools and colleges offering programs for both men and women. In this section, we will take a closer look at high school and college soccer in Maryland.
High School Soccer
High school soccer is a popular sport in Maryland, with many schools fielding both boys and girls teams. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) oversees high school sports in the state, including soccer. The MPSSAA offers championships for both boys and girls soccer, with the finals taking place in November.
Many high school soccer players in Maryland go on to play at the college level, and some even make it to the professional level.
College Soccer
College soccer is also popular in Maryland, with many colleges and universities fielding teams. The University of Maryland is one of the top college soccer programs in the country, with both the men’s and women’s teams consistently ranked in the top 25. Other colleges and universities in Maryland with strong soccer programs include Loyola University Maryland, UMBC, and Johns Hopkins University.
College soccer in Maryland is overseen by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which offers championships for both men and women. The NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship is held in December, while the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship is held in November.
Overall, soccer is a popular sport in Maryland, with many opportunities for high school and college players to compete at a high level.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is the official state team sport of Maryland, and it is no surprise that the state has a rich history and culture surrounding the sport. In fact, Maryland is considered the “lacrosse capital of the world” and is home to some of the best lacrosse teams in the country.
High School Lacrosse
High school lacrosse is a big deal in Maryland, with many schools fielding competitive teams. The sport is played in both the spring and fall seasons, with the spring season being the more popular of the two. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) oversees high school lacrosse in the state, with both boys’ and girls’ teams competing for state championships.
Some of the top high school lacrosse programs in Maryland include:
- Boys’ Programs: Boys’ Latin, Calvert Hall, McDonogh, St. Paul’s, Gilman, Loyola Blakefield, Severn, and St. Mary’s
- Girls’ Programs: McDonogh, Notre Dame Prep, Bryn Mawr, Roland Park, St. Paul’s, and Garrison Forest
College Lacrosse
College lacrosse is also a big deal in Maryland, with several powerhouse programs located in the state. The University of Maryland, Loyola University Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and Towson University all have strong lacrosse programs, with the University of Maryland winning multiple national championships in recent years.
Here are some quick facts about college lacrosse in Maryland:
| School | Division | Conference | National Championships |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland | I | Big Ten | 3 (1973, 2017, 2018) |
| Loyola University Maryland | I | Patriot League | 1 (2012) |
| Johns Hopkins University | I | Big Ten | 9 (1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1899, 1901) |
| Towson University | I | Colonial Athletic Association | 0 |
Overall, lacrosse is a beloved sport in Maryland, with a rich history and culture surrounding it. Whether it’s high school, college, or professional lacrosse, Maryland is a great place to be a fan of the sport.
Conclusion
Overall, Maryland is a state with a rich sports culture, with a variety of professional and college teams, as well as numerous recreational sports opportunities. Based on the research, it is clear that football, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse are some of the most popular sports in the state.
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Maryland, with the Baltimore Ravens being one of the most successful NFL teams in recent years. Baseball also has a strong following, with the Baltimore Orioles being a beloved team in the state. Basketball, while lacking an NBA team, has a rich history in the state, with the University of Maryland Terrapins being a popular college team. Finally, lacrosse is a sport that is deeply ingrained in Maryland’s culture, with many high schools and colleges fielding competitive teams.
Other sports, such as soccer, hockey, and horse racing, also have dedicated fan bases in Maryland. The state’s proximity to Washington, D.C. also means that residents have access to professional sports teams in the nation’s capital.
Overall, Maryland’s sports scene is diverse and vibrant, with something for every sports fan to enjoy.
How could you leave out the Washington Redskins? They are number one.