SPORTS IN CALIFORNIA

California has over twenty major professional sports franchises, far more than any other US state. The San Francisco Bay Area has nine major-league teams spread amongst three cities: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Although it is home to ten major-league franchises, the Greater Los Angeles Area is the largest metropolitan area without a team in the National Football League. San Diego has two major-league teams, and Sacramento has one.

Major League Baseball Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim based in Anaheim Los Angeles Dodgers Oakland Athletics San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants

National Basketball Association Golden State Warriors Based in Oakland Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Sacramento Kings

National Football League Oakland Raiders San Diego Chargers San Francisco 49ers

National Hockey League Anaheim Ducks Los Angeles Kings San Jose Sharks

Major League Soccer C.D. Chivas USA based in Carson Los Angeles Galaxy also based in Carson San Jose Earthquakes based in Santa Clara

Women's National Basketball Association Los Angeles Sparks

The California State Games, a state-wide Olympics-like sport event, take place in California every [4] year. The United States Olympic Committee governs this event. Many of California's high school teams are often nationally-ranked. The NASCAR Sprint Cup series holds 3 races in California, two at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana and one at Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway. The IRL Indycar series competes every April in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, through the streets of downtown Long Beach. The IRL also holds an event at Infineon. The NHRADrag Racing Series holds three national events in California, as well; two at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (formerly Pomona Raceway) and at the aforementioned Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. The AMA Supercross Series holds several events in the state in cities such as Anaheim, San Francisco, and San Diego.