Welcome to NFL California
California has been home to some of the most iconic teams, players, and moments in NFL history. From the sunny beaches of Los Angeles to the tech hub of Silicon Valley, the Golden State boasts three NFL franchises that have captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
California's NFL Impact
With a combined 7 Super Bowl championships between them, California's NFL teams have left an indelible mark on professional football. The state has hosted 12 Super Bowls, more than any other state, showcasing California's perfect weather and world-class stadiums.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history with 5 Super Bowl championships. Founded in 1946, the team has been home to legends like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have called both Los Angeles and St. Louis home throughout their history, winning 2 Super Bowls (1999 and 2021). Their return to LA in 2016 marked a new era for the franchise.
Los Angeles Chargers
Originally the San Diego Chargers, the team moved to Los Angeles in 2017. While they haven't won a Super Bowl yet, they've had legendary players like LaDainian Tomlinson and Junior Seau.
California NFL Teams
San Francisco 49ers
Established: 1946 | Super Bowls: 5 (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Based in the Bay Area, the team plays its home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The 49ers dominated the 1980s and 1990s under coaches Bill Walsh and George Seifert, with their famous West Coast offense.
Notable Players: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Patrick Willis
Current Stars: Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Trent Williams
Los Angeles Rams
Established: 1936 | Super Bowls: 2 (XXXIV, LVI)
The Los Angeles Rams have a complex history with multiple relocations between Cleveland, Los Angeles, and St. Louis before returning to LA in 2016. The team plays in the spectacular SoFi Stadium, which they share with the Chargers. Their 2021 Super Bowl victory marked a triumphant return to glory.
Notable Players: Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Aaron Donald
Current Stars: Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey
Los Angeles Chargers
Established: 1960 | Super Bowls: 0 (1 appearance)
The Los Angeles Chargers began as the AFL's Los Angeles Chargers in 1960 before moving to San Diego in 1961. After 56 seasons in San Diego, the team returned to Los Angeles in 2017. Known for their high-powered offenses, the Chargers have been home to some of the most exciting players in NFL history.
Notable Players: LaDainian Tomlinson, Junior Seau, Dan Fouts, Philip Rivers
Current Stars: Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Derwin James
California NFL Stadiums
SoFi Stadium
Location: Inglewood, CA | Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers | Opened: 2020
SoFi Stadium is one of the most technologically advanced and expensive stadiums ever built. With a capacity of 70,240 (expandable to 100,000 for special events), it features a translucent roof and an incredible 360-degree dual-sided video board called the "Oculus." The stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Levi's Stadium
Location: Santa Clara, CA | Team: San Francisco 49ers | Opened: 2014
Levi's Stadium is the home of the San Francisco 49ers, located about 45 miles south of San Francisco in Silicon Valley. The $1.3 billion stadium features a green roof, solar panels, and an advanced Wi-Fi system. It hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016 and is known for its innovative technology integrations.
Historic California NFL Stadiums
California has been home to several iconic NFL stadiums throughout history:
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1923-2019)
Home to the Rams in multiple stints and the Raiders from 1982-1994. Hosted two Super Bowls (I and VII) and two Olympics (1932 and 1984).
Candlestick Park (1960-2013)
The legendary home of the 49ers from 1971-2013, where "The Catch" happened. Also hosted the Beatles' last commercial concert.
Qualcomm Stadium (1967-2019)
Home to the Chargers from 1967-2016 (as Jack Murphy and Qualcomm Stadium). Hosted three Super Bowls (XXII, XXXII, XXXVII).
NFL California History
The Early Years
Professional football in California began with the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926, a traveling team that played all its games on the road. The first true California NFL team was the original Los Angeles Rams, who moved from Cleveland in 1946. That same year, the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) placed the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Dons as expansion teams.
When the AAFC folded after the 1949 season, the 49ers were absorbed into the NFL, while the Dons folded. The Rams and 49ers became fierce rivals in the 1950s, helping establish football on the West Coast.
The AFL and Chargers
In 1960, the American Football League (AFL) launched with the Los Angeles Chargers as one of its original teams. After one season in LA, owner Barron Hilton moved the team to San Diego, where they would play for the next 56 seasons.
The Chargers were one of the AFL's most successful early franchises, winning five Western Division titles in the league's first six seasons. Their high-powered offenses under coach Sid Gillman revolutionized passing attacks in professional football.
The 49ers Dynasty
The San Francisco 49ers rose to national prominence in the 1980s under coach Bill Walsh and quarterback Joe Montana. Their innovative West Coast offense led to four Super Bowl victories in the 1980s (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV).
The dynasty continued in the 1990s with Steve Young at quarterback, winning Super Bowl XXIX. The 49ers became one of the most successful franchises of the late 20th century, setting standards for offensive football.
Team Movements
California's NFL landscape has seen several team relocations:
- 1982: Oakland Raiders move to Los Angeles
- 1995: Los Angeles Rams move to St. Louis
- 1995: Los Angeles Raiders move back to Oakland
- 2016: St. Louis Rams move back to Los Angeles
- 2017: San Diego Chargers move to Los Angeles
These moves created periods where California had anywhere from 1 to 4 NFL teams throughout the decades.
Super Bowls in California
California has hosted more Super Bowls than any other state:
| Super Bowl | Year | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1967 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles |
| VII | 1973 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles |
| XI | 1977 | Rose Bowl | Pasadena |
| XVII | 1983 | Rose Bowl | Pasadena |
| XXI | 1987 | Rose Bowl | Pasadena |
| XXVII | 1993 | Rose Bowl | Pasadena |
| XXXII | 1998 | Qualcomm Stadium | San Diego |
| XXXVII | 2003 | Qualcomm Stadium | San Diego |
| 50 | 2016 | Levi's Stadium | Santa Clara |
| LVI | 2022 | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood |
Legendary California NFL Players
San Francisco 49ers Legends
Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Legends
Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams Legends
California NFL Hall of Famers
California teams have produced numerous Pro Football Hall of Famers:
- 49ers: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Bill Walsh, Charles Haley, etc.
- Chargers: Lance Alworth, Dan Fouts, Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson, etc.
- Rams: Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Orlando Pace, etc.
These players helped shape the game and brought excitement to California football fans for generations.
2025 NFL California Teams Schedule
San Francisco 49ers 2025 Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Home |
| 2 | Sep 17 | Los Angeles Rams | Away |
| 3 | Sep 21 | New York Giants | Home (Thu) |
| 4 | Oct 1 | Arizona Cardinals | Home |
| 5 | Oct 8 | Dallas Cowboys | Home |
| 6 | Oct 15 | Cleveland Browns | Away |
| 7 | Oct 23 | Minnesota Vikings | Home (Mon) |
| 8 | Oct 29 | Cincinnati Bengals | Away |
| 9 | Nov 5 | Bye Week | - |
| 10 | Nov 12 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Away |
| 11 | Nov 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Home |
| 12 | Nov 23 | Seattle Seahawks | Away (Thu) |
| 13 | Dec 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | Home |
| 14 | Dec 10 | Seattle Seahawks | Home |
| 15 | Dec 17 | Arizona Cardinals | Away |
| 16 | Dec 25 | Baltimore Ravens | Home (Mon) |
| 17 | Dec 31 | Washington Commanders | Away |
| 18 | Jan 7 | Los Angeles Rams | Home |
Los Angeles Rams 2025 Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10 | Seattle Seahawks | Away |
| 2 | Sep 17 | San Francisco 49ers | Home |
| 3 | Sep 25 | Cincinnati Bengals | Home (Mon) |
| 4 | Oct 1 | Indianapolis Colts | Away |
| 5 | Oct 8 | Philadelphia Eagles | Home |
| 6 | Oct 15 | Arizona Cardinals | Home |
| 7 | Oct 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Away |
| 8 | Oct 29 | Dallas Cowboys | Away |
| 9 | Nov 5 | Green Bay Packers | Home |
| 10 | Nov 12 | Bye Week | - |
| 11 | Nov 19 | Seattle Seahawks | Home |
| 12 | Nov 26 | Arizona Cardinals | Away |
| 13 | Dec 3 | Cleveland Browns | Home |
| 14 | Dec 10 | Baltimore Ravens | Away |
| 15 | Dec 17 | Washington Commanders | Home |
| 16 | Dec 21 | New Orleans Saints | Home (Thu) |
| 17 | Dec 31 | New York Giants | Away |
| 18 | Jan 7 | San Francisco 49ers | Away |
Los Angeles Chargers 2025 Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10 | Miami Dolphins | Home |
| 2 | Sep 17 | Tennessee Titans | Away |
| 3 | Sep 24 | Minnesota Vikings | Home |
| 4 | Oct 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | Home |
| 5 | Oct 8 | Bye Week | - |
| 6 | Oct 16 | Dallas Cowboys | Home (Mon) |
| 7 | Oct 22 | Kansas City Chiefs | Away |
| 8 | Oct 29 | Chicago Bears | Home |
| 9 | Nov 6 | New York Jets | Away (Mon) |
| 10 | Nov 12 | Detroit Lions | Home |
| 11 | Nov 19 | Green Bay Packers | Away |
| 12 | Nov 26 | Baltimore Ravens | Home |
| 13 | Dec 3 | New England Patriots | Away |
| 14 | Dec 10 | Denver Broncos | Home |
| 15 | Dec 17 | Las Vegas Raiders | Away |
| 16 | Dec 23 | Buffalo Bills | Home (Sat) |
| 17 | Dec 31 | Denver Broncos | Away |
| 18 | Jan 7 | Kansas City Chiefs | Home |
California NFL Rivalries
Some of the most intense rivalries in the NFL involve California teams:
- 49ers vs. Rams: One of the NFL's oldest rivalries dating back to 1950
- Chargers vs. Raiders: AFC West rivalry that continued after relocation
- 49ers vs. Seahawks: NFC West divisional rivalry that intensified in 2010s
- Battle of LA: Rams vs. Chargers (inter-stadium rivalry at SoFi)
These matchups often have playoff implications and create exciting moments for California football fans.