Sports in Sacramento, California facts for kids
The City of Sacramento and the surrounding area are home to many exciting sports teams! You can find a major league team, the Sacramento Kings basketball team, plus lots of minor league and amateur teams. Sacramento also has great places for fun activities and sports.
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Professional Sports Teams in Sacramento
Sacramento is famous for being the home of the Sacramento Kings. They are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Kings moved to Sacramento from Kansas City in 1985.
In 2013, there was a big effort to move the Kings team to Seattle. A group of investors wanted to buy the team and rename them the Seattle SuperSonics. But Sacramento's Mayor, Kevin Johnson, worked hard to keep the team in the city. He helped form a new ownership group, led by Vivek Ranadive, who wanted the Kings to stay. The NBA Board of Governors voted, and thankfully, they decided 22-8 that the Kings would remain in Sacramento!
Baseball is also a big deal here. The Sacramento River Cats are a Triple-A minor league baseball team. They are connected to the San Francisco Giants and play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Minor league baseball came back to Sacramento in 2000 with the River Cats.
Recently, the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball decided to play their games at Sutter Health Park for a few years, starting in 2025. This is a temporary home for them.
Sutter Health Park has even hosted a minor league hockey game! In 2015, the Stockton Heat played against the Bakersfield Condors there.
Sacramento's Pro Teams at a Glance
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Founded | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | NBA | Basketball | Golden 1 Center | 1945 (1985) | 1 NBA, 1 NBL |
| Sacramento River Cats | PCL | Baseball | Sutter Health Park | 1978 (2000) | 2 Triple-A, 4 League |
| Sacramento Republic FC | USLC | Soccer | Heart Health Park | 2012 | 2014 USL Pro Championship |
Past Professional Teams
Sacramento has been home to other professional teams in the past. The Sacramento Monarchs were a women's basketball team in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). They were one of the first teams in the league, starting in 1997. The Monarchs won the WNBA Championship in 2005, which was a huge achievement for Sacramento! Sadly, the team stopped playing in 2009.
Other former teams include the Sacramento Solons, a minor league baseball team that played for many years. There were also professional football teams like the Sacramento Surge, who won a championship in 1992, the Sacramento Gold Miners, and the Sacramento Attack.
Semi-Pro and Amateur Sports
Sacramento also has many semi-professional and amateur sports teams. These teams play in smaller leagues but still offer exciting competition.
The Sacramento Heatwave is a basketball team that plays in the American Basketball Association.
In the past, Sacramento had an indoor soccer team called the Sacramento Knights. The Sacramento XSV (pronounced "excessive") is a professional paintball team that represents the city. The Sacramento Mountain Lions were a football team that played in the United Football League (2009) at Raley Field.
Sacramento is also a popular place for big sports events. It hosted the USA Olympic Track & Field Trials in 2000 and 2004, where athletes compete to qualify for the Olympics. The California International Marathon, which started in 1983, finishes right in front of the Capitol building. It's known for being a fast course, perfect for runners trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Semi-Pro and Amateur Teams at a Glance
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Founded | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Capitals | WTT | Tennis | Allstate Stadium | 1987 | 5 |
| Sacramento Heatwave | ABA | Basketball | Natomas H.S. Event Center | 2003 | |
| Sacramento Gold | NPSL | Soccer | Cosumnes River College | 2003 | 1 |
| Sacramento Sirens | IWFL | Football | Foothill High School | 2001 | 1 WAFL, 3 IWFL |
| Sacramento Pride | WPSL | Soccer | Lincoln High School | 1995 | |
| Sacramento Surge | PASL | Indoor Soccer | McClellan Park | 2012 | |
| Sacramento Suns | USAFL | Australian Football | Various | 2009 |
College and High School Sports
The Sacramento area has two major college sports programs in NCAA Division 1. These are Sacramento State and UC Davis. Both universities have many different sports teams that compete at a high level.
Sacramento has also often hosted important college sports events. These include the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship and early rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.
High school rugby is very popular in Sacramento. Jesuit High School has won national championships multiple times. Other local high schools like Christian Brothers, Granite Bay, and Del Campo have also done very well in national competitions.
Recreation and Outdoor Fun
Sacramento offers many ways to enjoy sports and the outdoors. The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail is a long path that goes from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake. It's part of the American River Parkway, a beautiful natural area with over 5,000 acres (20 km²) of undeveloped land. This trail is perfect for cycling and horseback riding.
The California State Fair is a big annual event held in Sacramento. It's a fun place to visit with rides, food, and exhibits.
Another great spot for outdoor activities is Discovery Park. This 275-acre (1.1 km²) park has lots of trees and open spaces. It's located where the American River meets the Sacramento River, offering beautiful views and a place to relax.
Sacramento has also produced many famous Olympic athletes. These include swimmers like Mark Spitz, Debbie Meyer, Mike Burton, Summer Sanders, and Jeff Float. Billy Mills, a track athlete, is also from the area. Many of these athletes trained at the world-famous Arden Hills Swim Club, located just east of the city.
