There are teams that win. There are teams that lose. And then there are teams that win a lot, talk a ton of trash while doing it, and somehow always manage to make the playoffs even when they probably shouldn’t. These are the teams that fanbases around the world love to loathe—and what makes it worse is that most of them thrive on being hated.
From global soccer giants to dynasty-building NFL squads, some teams just have that perfect storm of arrogance, dominance, and controversy that makes them the ultimate sports villains. Here are 25 teams across sports that are universally hated—and totally fine with it.
25. Philadelphia 76ers
Whether it’s the “Trust the Process” era or just the city’s general energy, the Sixers have always had a way of getting under people’s skin. They talk a big game, flame out dramatically, and keep coming back like they never heard the boos.
24. Notre Dame Football
They have their own TV deal and act like every season is 1988 again. Their fans believe they’re elite no matter how many times they get blown out in big games.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs
No team has done less with more attention than the Leafs. Their fans act like they’ve won five Cups in the last decade instead of none since 1967.
21. USC Football
They think every quarterback is the next Heisman winner and every loss is just a fluke. When USC is good, they let you really know about it.
20. Golden State Warriors
From fun underdogs to dynasty villains, the Warriors made that turn real quick. The Steph shimmy and Draymond antics don’t exactly make them easy to root for.
19. Alabama Football
They win everything and act like it’s their birthright. Even in a “down year,” they’re still better than your team and will remind you of it.
18. New York Yankees
They have 27 rings and the energy of someone who won them all personally. They print money, buy stars, and expect to be loved for it.
17. Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby might be polite, but that smug smile still sparks rage in opposing fans. Success, star power, and a little bit of whining have made the Pens easy to hate.
16. Real Madrid
They buy everyone, win everything, and then act shocked that people think they’re villains. Their fans have never heard of humility.
15. Kansas City Chiefs
They used to be lovable—then came Patrick Mahomes, Super Bowls, and a whole lot of TikToks. Now they dominate and act like it’s boring.
14. Michigan Football
It’s not that they win a lot—it’s that they talk like they win a lot. That rivalry energy bleeds into every game they play.
13. Los Angeles Dodgers
They’ve got the money, the roster, and the attitude. Every October feels like a parade waiting to happen—until someone spoils it, which no one ever feels bad about.
12. New York Knicks
They haven’t won anything significant in decades, but you’d never know it from the way their fans talk. Every win is treated like a championship, and every offseason is filled with delusional optimism.
11. Houston Astros
The sign-stealing scandal turned them into full-blown sports villains. The worst part? They’re still good enough to back it up.
10. Miami Heat
The “Heat Culture” talk never ends, and they walk around like every 8-seed run should be commemorated in bronze. They thrive on proving people wrong and reminding you they did.
9. Duke Basketball
Whether it’s Laettner, Redick, or Grayson Allen, Duke always has that guy. Even when they’re not winning, they’re still easy to root against.
8. San Francisco 49ers
They walk the line between dominance and delusion. If confidence won trophies, they’d be undefeated for the last two decades.
7. Boston Red Sox
They finally broke the curse—and then became exactly like the team they used to hate. Their fans went from tortured to totally insufferable overnight.
6. Green Bay Packers
They act like their history is sacred and everyone else is just passing through. Even when they lose, their fans carry themselves like they’ve already booked Super Bowl tickets.
5. Paris Saint-Germain
PSG never met a transfer market they didn’t want to dominate. They build superteams that flame out and still act like football royalty.
4. New England Patriots
The Brady-Belichick era left scars on pretty much every fanbase. The smugness never really went away—even if the rings stopped coming.
3. Manchester United
They’ve been both the most hated and most followed club in the world for decades. Whether they’re winning titles or finishing sixth, they still act like they run the sport.
Read More: Which NFL Teams Do Fans Love to Hate Most? Ranked
2. Los Angeles Lakers
The stars, the rings, the drama—it’s Hollywood, and they know it. Even when they’re mid, the Lakers are treated like royalty, which drives everyone else insane.
Read More: 15 MLB Teams That Rub Certain Baseball Fans the Wrong Way
1. Dallas Cowboys
The self-proclaimed “America’s Team” hasn’t been to an NFC Championship since the ’90s, but you’d never know that by listening to their fanbase. The team’s brand screams championship legacy, even when reality doesn’t.
