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MOMissouri Sports
Sports landscape of Missouri
Missouri hosts pro teams across 4 major US sports leagues: NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS. The state's sports culture combines passionate pro fan bases with often-fierce college rivalries and a deep amateur and youth sports scene. Stadiums and arenas are economic anchors; game-day spending fills hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.
Pro sports league presence
| League | Sport | Missouri team? |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | American football | ✅ Yes |
| NBA | Basketball | ❌ No franchise |
| MLB | Baseball | ✅ Yes |
| NHL | Ice hockey | ✅ Yes |
| MLS | Soccer | ✅ Yes |
| WNBA | Women's basketball | ❌ No franchise |
College sports
Missouri's college sports scene is a major part of the state identity. Whether or not the state has pro franchises, college football, basketball, and (in some regions) baseball draw passionate followings. Major NCAA conferences with member schools in or near Missouri typically include the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Pac-12, depending on the school. College rivalries within the state (or against bordering states) often generate annual cultural events that draw national TV audiences.
The NCAA's annual basketball tournament ("March Madness"), the College Football Playoff, and the College World Series are watched closely by Missouri fans. State universities recruit nationally, and their successes contribute to school applications, alumni donations, and state pride.
Hall of Fame athletes
Hall of Fame inductees in baseball (Cooperstown, NY), football (Canton, OH), basketball (Springfield, MA), hockey (Toronto, ON), and golf (St. Augustine, FL) all include athletes born in or raised in Missouri. Olympic medalists across both summer and winter games have also represented the United States from Missouri.
Signature sporting events
Each state has signature sporting events that locals plan their year around — championships, charity tournaments, rodeos, races, and more.
Youth and amateur sports
Missouri's sports culture starts young. Youth baseball, soccer, football, basketball, and hockey leagues feed school teams; school teams feed college programs; and college programs feed the pros. State high school athletic associations regulate amateur competition. Missouri parents spend significant time and money on youth sports — a national American phenomenon.
Missouri notable firsts
- Birthplace of one or more US presidents
🌟 Missouri trivia
- Kansas City has more fountains than any city in the world except Rome.
- The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in the US (630 feet) — and the only one you can ride inside.
- Mark Twain was born and raised in Hannibal, MO — the model for Tom Sawyer's town.
- The ice cream cone was invented at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.
Missouri vs similar states
How does Missouri compare with 3 other states in the same region and size category?
| State | Capital | Pop | Area rank | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | Jefferson City | 5 to 10 million | #21 | 1821 |
| Illinois | Springfield | over 10 million | #25 | 1818 |
| Iowa | Des Moines | 1 to 5 million | #26 | 1846 |
| Kansas | Topeka | 1 to 5 million | #15 | 1861 |
Bordering states (8)
Missouri shares borders with 8 other US states, listed alphabetically below. Each link goes to the dedicated state page.
Sports constraints in the daily puzzle
"Has NFL", "Has NBA", "MLB-only" are recurring Statedoku constraints. Learn the pro league map by playing.
Play today's puzzle →Similar states to Missouri
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