Maryland has a number of major and minor professional sports franchises. Two National Football League teams play in Maryland, the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore and the Washington Commanders in Prince George's County. The Baltimore Orioles compete as Major League Baseball franchise in Baltimore.
Other professional sports franchises in the state include five affiliated minor league baseball teams, one independent league baseball team, the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team, two indoor football teams, two low-level Basketball teams, and three low-level outdoor soccer teams.
The Congressional Country Club has hosted several professional golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, Senior PGA Championship, Kemper Open and Quicken Loans National.
Maryland has had famous athletes including baseball's Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers, Orioles' Cal Ripken Jr. and George Herman ("Babe") Ruth, who played for the old Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and especially won fame with the New York Yankees. Plus Olympic swimming medalists Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Chase Kalisz, and Katie Hoff.Since 1962, the official state sport of Maryland is jousting. Lacrosse was named the official team sport in 2004,[1] and Sports Illustrated wrote the sport "has always been the showcase for the flower of Maryland manhood."[2] In 2008, intending to promote physical fitness for all ages, Maryland declared walking the official state exercise and became the first state with an official state exercise.[3]
| Team name | League | 1st MD season | Stadium/Field | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Orioles | Major League Baseball | 1954 | Oriole Park at Camden Yards | |
| Baltimore Ravens | National Football League | 1996 | M&T Bank Stadium | |
| Washington Commanders | National Football League | 1997 (played in D.C. 1937–1997) | FedExField |
Maryland has major professional sports teams in the city of Baltimore and in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. Two major league teams play in Baltimore — the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and MLB's Baltimore Orioles. Additionally, the NFL's Baltimore Colts played in Baltimore from 1953 to 1983 before moving to Indianapolis.
The Washington Commanders (formerly the Washington Redskins) play in Landover, Maryland. The NHL's Washington Capitals and the NBA's Washington Wizards (formerly the Baltimore Bullets, then Washington Bullets) used to play in Maryland before moving in 1997 to a newly constructed Verizon Center arena in downtown Washington in the District of Columbia.
| Team name | League | 1st MD season | Stadium/Field | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Hawks | American Basketball Association | 2015 | Saint Frances Academy | |
| Frederick Flying Cows | The Basketball League | 2024 | BB&T Arena at Hood College | |
| PG Valor | American Basketball Association | 2016 | Antioch Baptist Church |
| Team name | League | 1st MD season | Stadium/Field | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Burn | Women's Tackle Football League | 2001 | Utz Towardowizc field | |
| Baltimore Nighthawks | Women's Football Alliance | 2008 | Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Stadium | |
| Maryland Eagles | American Arena League 2 | 2012 | Wheaton Sports Pavilion | |
| Maryland Warriors | American Arena League 2 | 2018 |
| Maryland Whipsnakes | Premier Lacrosse League | 2024 | Homewood Field |
The following table details baseball teams which were located in Maryland. For minor league teams that changed affiliations, each affiliation is listed as a separate team.
| Team name | Years present | League | Current status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Bandits | 1995–1997 | American Hockey League | Rockford IceHogs | |
| 1975–1976 | World Hockey Association | Defunct | ||
| Baltimore Clippers | 1945–1946 1949–1950 | Eastern Amateur Hockey League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Clippers | 1954–1956 | Eastern Hockey League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Clippers | 1962–1977 | American Hockey League Eastern Hockey League Southern Hockey League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1933–1942 1944–45 | Eastern Hockey League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Skipjacks | 1982–1993 | American Hockey League | Springfield Thunderbirds | |
| Chesapeake Icebreakers | 1997–1999 | ECHL | Defunct | |
| Washington Capitals | 1974–1997 | NHL | Moved to MCI Center, now Capital One Arena | |
| Baltimore Hockey Club (Baltimore HC) | 1896–1898 | BHL | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Knights | 2007 | American Inline Hockey League | Defunct | |
| Washington Power | 2008 | Major League Roller Hockey | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Bombers | 2013 | North American Lacrosse League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Brave | 2018–2020 | Women's Professional Lacrosse League | Defunct (folding of league)[5] | |
| Baltimore Ride | 2016–2018 | United Women's Lacrosse League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Tribe | 1988 | American Lacrosse League | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Thunder | 1987–1999 | Major Indoor Lacrosse League | Colorado Mammoth | |
| Chesapeake Bayhawks | 2001–2020 | Major League Lacrosse | Defunct (merger of MLL into PLL) | |
| Maryland Arrows | 1974–1975 | National Lacrosse League | Defunct | |
| Washington Wave | 1987–1989 | Major Indoor Lacrosse League | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.C. Forward | 2004 | Pro Cricket | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Monuments | 1977 | Professional softball leagues | Defunct | |
| DC Breeze | 2013–2014 | American Ultimate Disc League | Move to Washington DC | |
| Baltimore Banners | 1974 | World TeamTennis | Defunct | |
| Baltimore Blues | 2012–2014 | USA Rugby League | Defunct |
See also: List of college athletic programs in Maryland.
See main article: article and Coppin State Eagles. The Coppin State University sports teams participate in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for most sports, with baseball competing in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Its teams are called the Eagles.
| Sport | Gender | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | Joe Cannon Stadium | |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | Physical Education Complex | |
| Bowling | Women's | ||
| Cross Country | Men's & Women's | ||
| Softball | Women's | Coppin State University Softball Complex | |
| Tennis | Men's & Women's | Coppin State Tennis Courts | |
| Track & Field | Men's & Women's | ||
| Volleyball | Women's | Physical Education Complex |
See main article: article and Johns Hopkins Blue Jays. The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays men's lacrosse team, founded in 1883, is the school's most prominent sports team, which has won 44 national titles. The Blue Jays play at Homewood Field (pictured right). Lacrosse is the only sport in which Hopkins participates as an NCAA Division I member; both the men's and women's lacrosse teams compete at that level in the Big Ten Conference. All other Hopkins sports compete in NCAA Division III, in which athletic scholarships are not allowed. Hopkins is one of a small number of Division III schools authorized by the NCAA to continue awarding scholarships in their Division I sports.
See main article: Loyola Greyhounds. Loyola fields 17 varsity teams and 22 club teams. The varsity teams, known as the Greyhounds, participate in the NCAA's Division I. All Loyola varsity teams compete in the Patriot League in the following sports:
| Sport | Gender | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | Reitz Arena | |
| Cross Country | Men's & Women's | ||
| Golf | Men's | ||
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | Ridley Athletic Complex | |
| Rowing | Men's & Women's | ||
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | Ridley Athletic Complex | |
| Swimming & Diving | Men's & Women's | Mangione Pool at the Fitness & Aquatics Center | |
| Tennis | Men's & Women's | McClure Tennis Center at Ridley Athletic Complex | |
| Track & Field | Women's | Loyola/Johns Hopkins Track & Field Facility | |
| Volleyball | Women's | Reitz Arena |
See also: Morgan State Bears football and Morgan State University Lacrosse.
The Morgan State University athletic teams are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Bears and compete in the following sports:
Mount St. Mary's University was one of the founding members of the Northeast Conference, but moved in 2022 to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The school's sports teams are called the Mountaineers and compete in the following sports:
See main article: Towson Tigers. The athletics teams of Towson University participate in the NCAA's Division I and are members of the Colonial Athletic Association, as well as CAA Football, the technically separate football league operated by that conference. Some sports compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference. The school's sports teams are called the Tigers, and the mascot of the University is named Doc.
| Sport | Gender | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | Schuerholz Park | |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | Towson Center | |
| Cross Country | Women's | Oregon Ridge Park | |
| Field Hockey | Women's | Johnny Unitas Stadium | |
| Football | Men's | Johnny Unitas Stadium | |
| Golf | Men's & Women's | Prospect Bay Country Club | |
| Gymnastics | Women's | Towson Center | |
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | Johnny Unitas Stadium | |
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | Towson Center | |
| Softball | Women's | Towson Center | |
| Swimming | Men's & Women's | Burdick Hall | |
| Tennis | Women's | Towson Center | |
| Track & Field | Women's | ||
| Volleyball | Women's | Towson Center |
See main article: Navy Midshipmen. The United States Naval Academy participates in NCAA Division I in 30 varsity sports.[6] It also fields teams in 12 club sports.[7] The Academy is a non-football member of the Patriot League, a football-only member of the American Athletic Conference, and a member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (men), Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (men), Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges, Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (men), and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. Navy is also one of approximately 300 members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Although the teams have no official name, they are usually referred to as "Navy", "Midshipmen", or "Mids". The Academy competes in the following sports:
See main article: UMBC Retrievers. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County sports teams participate in the NCAA's Division I, and is member of the America East Conference.The school's sports teams are called the Retrievers, and the mascot of the University is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever which has been referred to as both True Grit and Fever.
| Sport | Gender | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC | |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena | |
| Cross Country | Men's & Women's | UMBC Stadium | |
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | UMBC Stadium | |
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | UMBC Soccer Stadium | |
| Softball | Men's & Women's | Baseball Factory Field | |
| Swimming | Men's & Women's | UMBC Natatorium | |
| Tennis | Men's & Women's | Tennis Center | |
| Track & Field | Men's & Women's | UMBC Stadium | |
| Volleyball | Women's | Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena |
See main article: Maryland Terrapins. The University of Maryland, College Park sports teams participate in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Prior to 2014, the school participated in Division I as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, of which it was a founding member. Its teams are called the Terrapins, and its mascot is a diamondback terrapin named Testudo.
| Sport | Gender | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | Shipley Field | |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | Xfinity Center | |
| Competitive Cheer | Coed | Xfinity Center | |
| Cross Country | Men's & Women's | Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field | |
| Field Hockey | Women's | Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex | |
| Football | Men's | Maryland Stadium | |
| Golf | Men's & Women's | Maryland Golf Course | |
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | Maryland Stadium
| |
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | Ludwig Field | |
| Swimming | Men's & Women's | Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium | |
| Tennis | Men's & Women's | Tennis Center at College Park | |
| Track & Field | Men's & Women's | Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field | |
| Volleyball | Women's | Xfinity Center | |
| Water Polo | Women's | Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium | |
| Wrestling | Men's | Xfinity Center |
See main article: Bowie State Bulldogs. The Bowie State University athletic teams are members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Their teams are called the Bulldogs and compete in the following sports:
The Frostburg State Bobcats began a transition from Division III to Division II in July 2019, joining the Mountain East Conference. The Bobcats will be eligible for Division II national championships in the 2022–23 school year. The following sports are sponsored:
Goucher College athletic teams are members of the Landmark Conference. Their teams are called the Gophers and compete in the following sports:
See main article: Johns Hopkins Blue Jays. Except for the men's and women's lacrosse teams, Johns Hopkins athletic teams are members of the Centennial Conference and compete in the following sports:
Hood College's athletic teams are members of the Middle Atlantic Conferences. Their teams are called the Blazers and compete in the following sports:
McDaniel College athletic teams are members of the Centennial Conference. Their teams are called the Green Terror and compete in the following sports:
Notre Dame athletic teams are members of the Colonial States Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Gators and compete in the following sports:
See main article: St. Mary's Seahawks. St. Mary's College athletic teams are members of the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference, but will move to the North Eastern Athletic Conference after the 2020–21 school year. Their teams are called the Seahawks and compete in the following sports:
Salisbury University athletic teams are members of the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference except for the football team, which plays in the Empire 8. Their teams are called the Seagulls and compete in the following sports:
Stevenson University athletic teams are members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference as well as the Middle Atlantic Conferences. Their teams are called the Mustangs and compete in the following sports:
Washington College athletic teams are members of the Centennial Conference, except for the sailing team which competes in the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Their teams are called the Shoremen/Shorewomen and compete in the following sports:
The Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL) is a collegiate summer baseball league located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Of the eight teams in the league, five play home games in Maryland.
| Team | City | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda Big Train[8] | Bethesda, Maryland | Shirley Povich Field | |
| Gaithersburg Giants[9] | Gaithersburg, Maryland | Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park | |
| Olney Cropdusters | Olney, Maryland | First Responder Field by ServPro at OBGC Park[10] | |
| Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts[11] | Silver Spring, Maryland | Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium at Montgomery Blair High School | |
| Southern Maryland Senators[12] | Waldorf, Maryland | Regency Furniture Stadium |
The MLB Draft League is a collegiate summer baseball league that began play in 2021. Created by Major League Baseball (MLB) and Prep Baseball Report, the league serves as a showcase for top draft-eligible prospects leading up to each summer's MLB draft. The league's initial six teams were formerly members of Minor League Baseball's New York–Penn League, Eastern League, and Carolina League before MLB's reorganization of the minors for 2021.
See main article: article and Baltimore Catholic League. The Baltimore Catholic League (BCL), is a competitive basketball association composed of private Catholic high schools in the Baltimore, Maryland geographic area.
See main article: article and Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland. The Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (or IAAM), established 1993, is a girls’ sports conference for parochial / private / independent high schools generally located in the Baltimore metropolitan area but extending to various other regions, including the state's mostly rural Eastern Shore.
See main article: article and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (or MIAA) established 1993, is a boys' sports conference for parochial / private / independent high schools generally located in the Baltimore metropolitan area but extending to various other regions, including the state's mostly rural Eastern Shore.
See main article: article and Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) oversees public high school sporting contests in the state of Maryland.
See main article: article and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference or WCAC is a high school athletic league for boys, girls, and co-ed Catholic high schools located around and in Washington, D.C., United States.
Horse racing has a very long history in Maryland going back to colonial days. The Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel in the Triple Crown, is run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Presently, Maryland has four Thoroughbred tracks and two Harness Tracks.
| Track Name | Location | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Hill Training Center | Elkton | Thoroughbred | |
| Laurel Park Racecourse | Laurel | Thoroughbred | |
| Ocean Downs | Berlin | Harness | |
| Pimlico Race Course | Baltimore | Thoroughbred | |
| Rosecroft Raceway | Fort Washington | Harness | |
| Timonium Racetrack | Timonium | Thoroughbred |