Does the city you live in have a football team? If your city or town does not have a team, what big city with a team are you closest to? Support that team. If you are equal distance to two teams, pick whichever you prefer, or whichever one your friends and family support. [1] X Research source
This will help you bond with family and friends who still live in that community, if you have moved. This might feel natural because you are probably familiar with the mascot, the colors, and the fan culture of the team. If you’ve moved far away, this might present a problem as you might not be able to attend many games in person. [2] X Research source
Often times people follow talented quarterbacks from team to team, so consider this. Look into the quality of the coaching staff, you might be impressed and want to follow a team due to the coaches. Sometimes you might not like a certain player or coach of a team, so you can eliminate a team based on this, too. [7] X Research source
Take a look at a list of teams that are currently performing the best nationally, or in your region. Examine the track record of that team. Are they dominating this season? Did they dominate last season? Have they made it to bowl games, championships, or playoffs? If you’re comfortable supporting the winning team, do so. [8] X Research source
Watch different teams from different regions. Watch your local team, or the team your friends and family favor, play against a top ranking team. Don’t be afraid to watch teams that are far removed from where you live. [9] X Research source
Attending a game will give you a sense of the specific fan culture of that team. You’ll see how fans tailgate, how they behave, and you’ll get a sense of whether or not you fit in. Attending a home game for a prospective team will give you a sense of the atmosphere of their stadium. You’ll hear the songs they play and the announcer. You’ll also see the halftime show, hear the band, and see the cheerleaders. Try to get good seats, rather than seats in the nosebleed section. This way, you’ll be closer to the action and you’ll be able to see how the players and coaching staff interact on the sidelines.
Include teams that you might have an emotional attachment to because of family, friends, or region. Include teams that have individual players or coaching staff that you already support. Don’t be afraid to include teams for any reasons. After all, this is all about your preference!
Try to watch the teams on your list play against each other, if possible. Watch more than one game for each team. Attend more games in person, if you can.
Make a list of pros and cons for each team. Rank the teams based on emotional value, skills level of the team, or the importance of tradition (if your family supports the team). Eliminate teams that don’t measure up. [12] X Research source
