Sports in Cincinnati facts for kids
Cincinnati is a super exciting city for sports fans! It's home to many professional and college teams, from baseball and football to soccer and hockey. You'll find three major league teams, one women's major league team, and several minor league teams here. Plus, five colleges in the area have their own sports teams, making Cincinnati a real hub for athletic action!
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Cincinnati's Sports Teams
Major League Teams in Cincinnati
Cincinnati is proud to host teams in some of the biggest sports leagues in the country.
Cincinnati Reds (Baseball)
The Cincinnati Reds are a famous baseball team that plays in Major League Baseball (MLB). They started way back in 1881! The Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park. They have won the World Series five times, with their last big win in 1990.
- 5 World Series wins: 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990
Cincinnati Bengals (Football)
The Cincinnati Bengals are the city's professional football team. They compete in the National Football League (NFL). The Bengals play their exciting games at Paycor Stadium. They were founded in 1967 and are always working hard to win their first Super Bowl.
FC Cincinnati (Soccer)
FC Cincinnati is the city's soccer team, playing in Major League Soccer (MLS). This team started in 2015 and quickly became a favorite. They play their matches at TQL Stadium, a modern soccer-specific stadium.
Cincinnati's Women's Soccer Team
Cincinnati is also getting a new women's professional soccer team! This team will join the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and will also play at TQL Stadium. It's exciting to see more opportunities for women in professional sports!
Minor League Teams in Cincinnati
Minor league teams are often where up-and-coming players get their start before moving to the major leagues. Cincinnati has a few of these teams too!
Cincinnati Cyclones (Hockey)
The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional ice hockey team. They play in the ECHL, which is a minor league for hockey. The Cyclones play at the Heritage Bank Center and have won the Kelly Cup twice.
- 2 Kelly Cup wins: 2008, 2010
Florence Y'alls (Baseball)
The Florence Y'alls are an independent baseball team. They play in the Frontier League at Thomas More Stadium. They're a fun team to watch for a classic baseball experience.
Commonwealth United (Soccer)
Commonwealth United is a soccer team that plays in MLS Next Pro. This league helps develop young soccer players for the future. They play their games at NKU Soccer Stadium.
College Sports in Cincinnati
College sports are a huge part of the Cincinnati sports scene. Many local universities have teams that compete at high levels.
University of Cincinnati Bearcats
The University of Cincinnati is home to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Their teams compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports. The Bearcats are now part of the Big 12 conference. Their men's basketball team has won two national championships!
- 2 National Championships in men's basketball: 1961, 1962
Xavier University Musketeers
Xavier University has the Xavier Musketeers. They also play in NCAA Division I and are part of the Big East conference. Their basketball games are especially popular.
Northern Kentucky University Norse
Northern Kentucky University is home to the Northern Kentucky Norse. They compete in NCAA Division I within the Horizon League.
Thomas More University Saints
The Thomas More University has the Thomas More Saints. Their teams play in NCAA Division II and are part of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Mount St. Joseph University Lions
Mount St. Joseph University is where the Mount St. Joseph Lions play. They compete in NCAA Division III in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Sports Stadiums and Arenas
Cincinnati has many great places where sports teams play. These venues host everything from professional games to college matches.
- Paycor Stadium – Home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.
- Great American Ball Park – Home of MLB's Cincinnati Reds.
- Nippert Stadium – Where the University of Cincinnati Bearcats play college football.
- TQL Stadium – Home of MLS's FC Cincinnati and the new NWSL team.
- Heritage Bank Center – Where the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones play hockey.
- Fifth Third Arena – Home to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball.
- Lindner Family Tennis Center – Hosts major tennis tournaments.
- Cintas Center – Where the Xavier Musketeers play basketball.
- Truist Arena – Home to Northern Kentucky University Norse basketball.
- Thomas More Stadium – Where the Florence Y'alls play independent baseball.
- NKU Soccer Stadium – Home to Commonwealth United soccer.
Other Cool Sporting Events
Cincinnati also hosts other big sports events throughout the year.
Western & Southern Open (Tennis)
The Western & Southern Open is a huge tennis tournament. It's one of the most important events in professional tennis. Top players from all over the world come to play here every August. It takes place in Mason, a suburb of Cincinnati.
Flying Pig Marathon
The Flying Pig Marathon is a popular annual running race. It takes runners through downtown Cincinnati and into Northern Kentucky. It's a big event for runners and spectators alike!
Fun Recreation in Cincinnati
Beyond professional and college sports, Cincinnati offers many ways to stay active.
Sports Plus Facility
Sports Plus is a large sports facility with two ice rinks. These rinks are used by the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers college ice hockey teams. It also has an inline hockey rink and six basketball courts for leagues and tournaments.
Steps of Cincinnati
For those who enjoy urban hiking, the Steps of Cincinnati offer a unique experience. You can explore the city by walking up and down many public stairways.
Disc Golf Courses
Cincinnati and the surrounding area have many disc golf courses. It's a fun and growing sport that's great for all ages.
Former Professional Teams
Cincinnati has a long history with many sports teams that are no longer active.
Former Football Teams
Over the years, Cincinnati has had several professional football teams, including earlier versions of the Bengals and other teams in different leagues.
- Cincinnati Bengals (1937–1941)
- Cincinnati Celts
- Cincinnati Reds (NFL)
- Cincinnati Rockers (Arena Football)
- Cincinnati Swarm (Arena Football)
- Cincinnati Marshals (Indoor Football)
- Cincinnati Jungle Kats (Arena Football)
- Cincinnati Commandos (Indoor Football)
Former Basketball Teams
Cincinnati also had a major league basketball team in the past.
- Cincinnati Royals (NBA team from 1957–1972)
- Cincinnati Slammers (Continental Basketball Association)
Former Ice Hockey Teams
Many hockey teams have called Cincinnati home over the years.
- Cincinnati Stingers (World Hockey Association, considered a major league at the time)
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (American Hockey League)
- Cincinnati Mohawks (American Hockey League and International Hockey League)
- Cincinnati Swords (American Hockey League)
Former Soccer Teams
Before FC Cincinnati, other professional soccer teams played in the city.
- Cincinnati Kids (Major Indoor Soccer League)
- Cincinnati Riverhawks (Professional Soccer)
- Cincinnati Silverbacks (Professional Indoor Soccer)
- FC Cincinnati (played in USL before moving to MLS)
Other Former Teams
Cincinnati has also had teams in other sports like softball and ultimate frisbee.
- Cincinnati Suds (Men's professional softball)
- Cincinnati Revolution (Ultimate Frisbee)
