Only 10 cities have won multiple titles in a year. Los Angeles is now tied for the most
The Dodgers World Series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays marks the first time since 1988 that they and the Lakers have won a championship in the same year. But since then, a city having multiple title winners in a year isn’t unusual. In fact, it’s more common in L.A. than in most other cities.
Cities with multiple titles in a year
Los Angeles
- 1988
- 2001
- 2002
- 2012
- 2014
- 2020
New York
- 1927
- 1928
- 1933
- 1938
- 1956
- 1986
Detroit
- 1935
- 1952
- 2008
Boston
- 2004
- 2018
Baltimore
- 1970
Pittsburgh
- 1979
Bay Area
- 1989
Chicago
- 1998
Kansas City
- 2015
Washington
- 2019
Since 1903, 10 cities in the United States have had their clubs win multiple titles. This includes teams from seven major leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, WNBA, NWSL).
Many of the cities that won multiple championships in a year did so with a dynasty, such as Chicago in 1998 with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls and Pittsburgh in 1979 with the "Steel Curtain” Steelers.
Even though various teams are represented among the major leagues, one sport has emerged as the most represented: baseball.
Out of the 24 years in which a city has won multiple championships, 18 of them involve a Major League Baseball team. Los Angeles is an exception.
Cities with multiple championships in multiple years
Los Angeles
New York
Giants
(MLB)
Giants
(NFL)
Rangers
Yankees
Mets
Kings
Galaxy
Lakers
Dodgers
Sparks
1986
2020
2014
1956
2012
1938
2002
1933
2001
1928
1988
1927
Detroit
Boston
Red
Wings
Shock
Tigers
Lions
Red Sox
Patriots
2008
2018
1952
2004
1935
Cities with multiple championships in multiple years
Los Angeles
Kings
Galaxy
Lakers
Dodgers
Sparks
2020
2014
2012
2002
2001
1988
New York
Giants
(MLB)
Giants
(NFL)
Rangers
Yankees
Mets
1986
1956
1938
1933
1928
1927
Detroit
Boston
Red
Wings
Tigers
Shock
Lions
Red Sox
Patriots
2008
2018
1952
2004
1935
Cities with multiple
championships in multiple years
Los Angeles
‘20
‘14
‘12
‘02
‘01
‘88
Sparks
Galaxy
Dodgers
Kings
Lakers
New York
‘86
‘33
‘56
‘38
‘28
‘27
Mets
Yankees
Rangers
Giants
(NFL)
Giants
(MLB)
Detroit
‘08
‘52
‘35
Lions
Shock
Red Wings
Tigers
Boston
‘18
‘04
Red Sox
Patriots
A good deal of Los Angeles' multiple titles were won by basketball teams. The Lakers and the Sparks won titles in 2001 and 2002.
The Galaxy have contributed the most of any Los Angeles team, with titles in 2002, 2012 and 2014 in such years. The NHL’s Kings also won championships in 2012 and 2014.
Los Angeles is the only city to have three teams win a championships in a single year – with the Lakers, Sparks and Galaxy capturing crowns in 2002.
Much of New York’s success can be attributed to its baseball teams, with the Yankees contributing four titles to multiple-title years. Since championships in 1986 by the Mets and the NFL's Giants, New York has been dormant.
Other markets that have had years with multiple championships, such as Detroit and Boston, have been driven by their baseball teams. The latter has always been paired with the NFL’s New England Patriots.