DFW Metroplex offers wide variety of sports to follow

When thinking of the best cities for sports in the United States, a select few seem to come mind. Whether it’s New York for its litany of professional teams, or Chicago for the history of its franchises, or even far-flung college towns with rabidly loyal fan bases, what makes a great sports city is largely determined by the criteria a person is looking for. However, if that criteria is a city having the best of everything, from successful professional franchises and college programs to just the sheer amount of sports to follow, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex comes up as a somewhat surprising winner. At first glance, DFW may not seem to be heaven for sports fans, especially when teams are not performing well; however, one must dig a little deeper to uncover what makes the sports of this city truly great.

Starting with professional sports teams, the Metroplex boasts an impressive lineup. The most obvious are the Dallas Cowboys, who have won three Super Bowls and just completed a phenomenal season with a star-studded team. The Mavericks, although suffering a bit this year, are annual playoff contenders and won the 2011 NBA Finals. The Stars, while struggling this season as well, have had a sensational past few years and are becoming regular playoff contenders. FC Dallas is another team that has actually been performing well the last few years, and its fan base is rapidly growing. Also, who could forget the Texas Rangers, whose two trips to the World Series within the last seven years and consistent success make them a favorite for local fans to follow.

DFW is also a hotspot for nonprofessional sports. Two major colleges, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University, are located here, with enough different sports teams (and a bitter rivalry) to keep any local fan entertained. Dallas is also the site of one of the greatest rivalry games in college football: the Texas-Oklahoma Red River Showdown. Each year, tens of thousands of people are drawn to the historic Cotton Bowl to watch a game where truly anything can happen. However, it would be a crime to leave out that the DFW area is an absolute paradise for high school football; in fact, three out of the 12 state championship games were won by local teams (Go Scots!) and many more had dominant performances in the postseason. These teams range from elite programs with storied histories to smaller squads whose passion for the game is just plain awe-inspiring to watch. Few cities around the country have the same amount of talent and fan support for high school sports as Dallas does, which truly sets it apart from the rest.

After considering all the factors that make a great sports city, it is clear that the DFW area as a whole is truly something special. Local sports fans need look no further than their own backyards to find an almost infinite amount of teams to support and events to attend.