Here Are the Longest Championship Droughts in the Four Major North American Sports

The Rangers were able to end their drought—but there are plenty of teams with far worse ones.

With the Rangers winning their first ever World Series title on Wednesday night, they have finally ended one of the worst championship droughts in all of sports. Alas, there are a rare few amount of teams that have yet to win a title in their respective sport, though. 

Texas finally won it all for the first time in its 62-year history but, surprisingly, there are still several teams who are currently in the midst of longer championship droughts. Here’s a look at the five worst title droughts in the four major North American Sports. Spoiler: the NHL avoided the list with their longest title drought coming from the Maple Leafs at 56 years. 

The Texas Rangers captured the first World Series championship in the 62-year history of the franchise on Wednesday night :: Gregory Bull/AP

1. Arizona Cardinals, 76 years

The Cardinals have never won a Super Bowl but they did win the 1947 NFL championship, giving them the longest championship drought in all North American Sports at 76 years. They came just four points away from ending the dry spell in 2009 but fell to the Steelers in a dramatic Super Bowl XLIII loss. 

2. Cleveland Guardians, 75 years

The Guardians have the longest active streak in MLB with their last championship coming in 1948 when they beat the Boston Braves. The franchise has reached the World Series four times since then, falling short in 1954, ’95, ’97 and 2016. 

3. Sacramento Kings, 71 years

The Kings last won an NBA championship when they were the Rochester Royals and defeated the Knicks in a seven-game series back in the 1951 Finals. Since then, the Sacramento franchise has been synonymous with playoff disappointment. 

4. Detroit Lions, 66 years

The Lions have also never won a title during the Super Bowl era and the last time they ended a season on top was in 1957, when they trounced the Browns 59–14 to win it all. Detroit hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016 or even made it out of its conference since 1957. There’s hope for the franchise this year, though, as it currently sits atop the NFC North. 

5. Atlanta Hawks, 65 years

The Hawks were founded in 1946 as the NBL’s Buffalo Bisons and have very few highlights in their long disappointing history. They won their one and only championship in 1958 as the St. Louis Hawks and have never won a conference title in their entire existence. Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, this drought doesn’t look like it will be over anytime soon.