Cities Most Likely to Land an MLB Expansion Team

Portland, Oregon

Portland represents a large, untapped West Coast market with a proven appetite for professional sports. The city’s strong regional identity, history of supporting minor league baseball, and proposed stadium plans continue to keep it in the expansion conversation. Adding a team in Portland would help MLB further strengthen its Pacific Northwest presence and create natural rivalries with existing West Coast franchises.

Charlotte, North Carolina/Raleigh, North Carolina

Charlotte continues to emerge as one of the Southeast’s most attractive sports markets, driven by population growth and a robust financial sector. The city already supports teams across multiple professional leagues, and also consistently draws well for minor league baseball. With the nearest MLB franchises several hours away, Charlotte offers MLB an opportunity to deepen its reach in the Southeast without overlapping heavily with existing fan bases.

Raleigh has also quickly gained traction as a legitimate expansion candidate due to its explosive growth, educated workforce, and strong regional appeal across the Research Triangle. The area has proven it can support major professional teams through sustained success in college athletics and professional hockey. An MLB team in Raleigh would immediately become a regional draw, tapping into a younger demographic and a rapidly expanding population hungry for a major summer sports presence.

From a media-rights perspective, an MLB team in Raleigh would help North Carolina better protect and expand its broadcast footprint against South Carolina, while keeping viewership, advertising dollars, and regional loyalty centered in-state. Economically, Raleigh offers stronger long-term state revenue upside by capturing growth-driven tax revenue and corporate investment that might otherwise spill across state lines, rather than allowing another neighboring market to claim that economic influence.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is still the most compelling international expansion option for Major League Baseball. The city’s rich baseball history with the former Expos, large metropolitan population, and lingering fan loyalty continue to fuel expansion discussions. While stadium financing and currency challenges persist, MLB has never fully closed the door on Montreal due to its cultural significance and potential to grow the game beyond U.S. borders.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City has also emerged as a dark-horse candidate, but with increasing momentum. The metro area’s continued growth, proven ownership interest, and success supporting the Utah Jazz demonstrate a reliable sports market. An MLB franchise in Salt Lake City would fill a geographic gap in the Mountain West and can also draw fans from surrounding states, creating a strong regional footprint.

The Big Picture

MLB expansion will ultimately be driven by long-term sustainability, committed ownership, and modern stadium solutions. Cities that combine population growth, corporate support, and regional appeal remain best positioned for success. With Nashville leading the charge and markets like Portland, Charlotte, Raleigh, Montreal, and Salt Lake City close behind, the next wave of MLB expansion is shaping up to redefine the league’s future.