The Biggest Winners In Sports

Championships come and go, but some franchises stay in the conversation no matter the year. There’s a rhythm to their success, which is sometimes loud, sometimes slow, but always present. They may change strategies or uniforms, but one thing sticks: these 20 franchises are historical winners (even if the recent past may tell a different story).

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1. New York Yankees

Some names become shorthand for greatness. In baseball, it’s the Yankees. Since 1903, they've captured a staggering 27 World Series titles, which is more than any team in any major league. Legends like Babe Ruth and Mariano Rivera reshaped the sport’s entire cultural impact.

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2. Montreal Canadiens

Before most NHL teams even existed, the Canadiens were racking up Stanley Cups. Founded in 1909, they've claimed 24 championships. Their last win came in 1993. That moment cemented them as the most decorated team in NHL history, with dynasties spanning decades.

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3. Los Angeles Lakers

Few franchises match the Lakers’ ability to evolve. From Showtime magic in the 1980s to the Kobe-Shaq era to LeBron’s modern leadership, they’ve earned 17 NBA championships. The purple and gold define eras and cross-generational basketball royalty from coast to coast.

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4. Green Bay Packers

How does a team from a town of 100,000 become a football institution? Championships are the answer, and there are 13 of them. The Packers dominated early NFL history and returned to glory with Favre and Rodgers. Lambeau Field is a living museum where titles were built on grit and leadership.

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5. Toronto Maple Leafs

It’s been a long drought, but history can’t be erased. With 13 Stanley Cups, the Maple Leafs once ruled the league, especially in the mid-20th century. This franchise hasn’t won since 1967, but its influence remains. Hockey in Canada isn’t complete without Toronto.

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6. Boston Celtics

Who else could go toe-to-toe with the Lakers for decades? The Celtics turned the 1960s into a championship clinic by winning 11 titles in 13 seasons under Bill Russell. The franchise shares the all-time NBA title lead with 18 championships and continues to breed all-stars across generations.

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7. St. Louis Cardinals

Consistency defines the Cardinals. Their success spans eras, from Dizzy Dean to Albert Pujols. Unlike many franchises, St. Louis built lasting success without flashy markets. They’ve relied on strong farm systems and baseball fundamentals to quietly stack up 11 World Series titles.

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8. Detroit Red Wings

Nicknamed the "Winged Wheel," Detroit’s Red Wings dominated the Original Six era and surged again in the 1990s and 2000s. Eleven Stanley Cups include runs led by icons like Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman. The blend of physical play and finesse produced some of hockey’s most watchable teams.

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9. Golden State Warriors

What started in Philadelphia evolved into one of the NBA’s most dominant dynasties. After decades in the shadows, the Warriors stormed the 2010s and early 2020s with five straight Finals appearances and four titles under Stephen Curry (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022).

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10. Los Angeles Dodgers

Moving from Brooklyn didn’t slow them down. The Dodgers have clinched 8 World Series titles, with the most recent coming in 2024. They’ve become a modern baseball powerhouse through deep rosters and analytical precision. Their consistent postseason appearances reflect a franchise that knows how to keep dominating.

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11. Oakland Athletics

They’ve moved cities and changed eras, but the A’s kept winning. The dynasty years of the 1970s featured three straight championships, and the 1989 win under Tony La Russa proved the formula still worked. That approach has earned them 9 World Series titles.

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12. Pittsburgh Steelers

No NFL team dominated the 1970s like the Steelers. These guys won four Super Bowls in six seasons, all under Chuck Noll, with the Steel Curtain defense setting the tone. The franchise added two more titles in the 2000s and still holds a share of the all-time Super Bowl win record.

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13. Chicago Bulls

Basketball’s global explosion owes much to the Bulls. During the 1990s, Michael Jordan led Chicago to six titles in eight years. They changed brand marketing and how dynasties are measured. Few teams have reached such a peak with the same core and cultural impact.

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14. New England Patriots

Before 2001, the franchise had never won a title. Since then, they’ve stacked six Super Bowl wins under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The Patriots redefined modern dominance through coaching precision and off-field discipline. Their 20-year run of relevance is almost unheard of in the free-agency era.

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15. Boston Bruins

One of the NHL’s Original Six, the Bruins built a legacy over nearly a century. They’ve won six Stanley Cups, the first in 1929 and the most recent in 2011. Known for physical play and elite goaltending, Boston remains an all-time contender with a passionate fan base.

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16. Chicago Blackhawks

After decades of limited postseason success, the Blackhawks roared back in the 2010s. Led by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith, the franchise became the league’s new standard and sparked a full-scale revival in Chicago. That run reenergized a massive Midwest fanbase and delivered three Stanley Cup championships.

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17. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs built quietly and played with precision. The off-court drama wasn’t their style, but the system spoke volumes. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginóbili led a team rooted in discipline. With Coach Gregg Popovich at the helm, they earned five NBA championships built on consistency and culture.

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18. Dallas Cowboys

Dubbed "America’s Team," the Cowboys backed it up with five Super Bowl wins. The dominance peaked in the 1970s and early 1990s, with stars like Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. More than a team, it’s a global brand that has always aimed higher than just relevance.

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19. San Francisco 49ers

The West Coast offense became a dynasty. The 49ers won five Super Bowls from 1981 to 1994, featuring Hall of Famers like Joe Montana and Steve Young. Even in rebuilding years, they’ve stayed competitive and iconic, with a legacy built on innovation and resilience.

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20. Edmonton Oilers

Led by Wayne Gretzky in the 1980s, the Oilers gave rise to a new kind of hockey. They captured five Stanley Cups in seven years, driven by fast-paced offense and unmatched scoring depth. Only a few teams have shaped their sport so radically in so little time.

Lisa Gansky from New York, NY, USA on Wikimedia