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((short description|Sports team added after the founding of its league))
((For|the Dilated Peoples album|Expansion Team (album)))
((See also|Relocation of professional sports teams))
((More citations needed|date=January 2014))

An '''expansion team''' is a new team in a sports league, usually from a city that has not hosted a team in that league before, formed with the intention of satisfying the demand for a local team from a population in a new area. Sporting leagues also hope that the expansion of their competition will grow the popularity of the sport generally. The term is most commonly used in reference to the [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|North American major professional sports leagues]] but is applied to sports leagues in other countries with [[Professional sports league organization#Structure of North American leagues|a closed franchise system]] of league membership. The term refers to the expansion of the sport into new areas. The addition of an expansion team sometimes results in the payment of an expansion fee to the league by the new team and an [[expansion draft]] to populate the new roster.

==Reasons for expansion==
In North America, expansion often takes place in response to [[population growth]] and geographic shifts of population. Such demographic change results in financial opportunities to engage with the new market as consumers of sports demand local teams to support. [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) was limited to 16 teams located north and east of [[St. Louis, Missouri]] for the first half of the 20th century. During that time, the United States population doubled and expanded to the south and west. Rival interests explored the possibility of forming a [[Continental League|rival league]] in the untapped markets. To forestall that possibility, one of the measures that MLB took was to expand by four teams in 1961 and 1962. Over the past four decades, MLB expanded further, to its current 30-team membership. In the context of MLB, the term "expansion team" is also used to refer to any of the 14 teams enfranchised in the second half of the 20th century.

Leagues that are new and/or financially struggling may also admit large numbers of expansion teams so that the existing franchises can pocket more revenue from expansion fees. [[Indoor American football]] leagues are notorious for doing so: the leagues can double the number of teams and have many new teams fail within a year or two. [[Major League Soccer]], after spending most of its first decade of existence with relatively stable membership and struggling finances, adopted a policy of continuous expansion beginning in 2005, a policy that the league as of 2017 has no intention of stopping.<ref>((cite news|title=Commissioner Garber: Next round of MLS expansion "likely happening in 2020"|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020|publisher=MLS Digital|website=MLSSoccer.com|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=November 16, 2016))</ref>

When an expansion team begins play, it is generally stocked with less talented [[free agent]]s, inexperienced players, and veterans nearing retirement. Additionally, prospective owners may face expensive fees to the league as well as high startup costs such as stadiums and facilities. The team is also at a disadvantage in that it has not been together as a team as long as its opponents and thus lacks the cohesiveness other teams have built over years. As a result, most expansion teams are known for their poor play during their first seasons. Expansion teams must also compete with any expansion rivals for available talent, a common problem since leagues often expand by two or four teams in one season.

Expansion teams are not necessarily doomed to mediocrity, however, as most leagues have policies which promote parity, such as drafts and salary caps, which give some expansion teams the opportunity to win championships only a few years after their first season. In [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) The [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] won the [[2001 World Series]] in their fourth season, and the [[Florida Marlins]] won the [[1997 World Series]] in their fifth season. In the NBA, The [[Milwaukee Bucks]] won the [[1971 NBA Finals]] in their third year of existence, greatly helped by drafting [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] in the [[1969 NBA draft|1969 draft]] and acquiring [[Oscar Robertson]] from the [[Cincinnati Royals]] before the [[1970-71 NBA season|1970–71 season]] began. In the NHL, the [[Florida Panthers]] made the Stanley Cup Finals in [[1996 Stanley Cup Finals|their third season]] even though, like MLB, the league then had no salary cap; a cap was established in 2005. However, the [[Vegas Golden Knights]] quickly emerged as one of the NHL's best teams in its first season. Thanks to a generous expansion draft, the team defied all odds and advanced to the [[2018 Stanley Cup Finals]], and later winning the [[2023 Stanley Cup Finals]] in just their sixth season.

The [[National Football League]] (NFL), despite being considered the most generous in its revenue sharing and the strictest with its salary cap, has had far more difficulty bringing expansion teams up to par with their more established brethren. Of the six teams to have been added to the NFL since the [[AFL–NFL merger]], the fastest turnaround between an inaugural season and the team's first [[Super Bowl]] victory was 27 seasons (the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], established in 1976, won [[Super Bowl XXXVII]] in the 2002 season); none of the four teams to hold expansion drafts since 1995<ref group="note">While the [[Baltimore Ravens]] are officially considered an expansion franchise that began play in ((nfly|1996)), they did not stock their roster with an expansion draft, instead taking on the contracts of the former [[Cleveland Browns]] players, while the Browns [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|suspended operations for three seasons]]. The Ravens later won the Super Bowl in their [[Super Bowl XXXV|5th]] and [[Super Bowl XLVII|17th]] seasons of existence. Conversely, when the Browns returned to the NFL in ((nfly|1999)), while not an expansion franchise, their initial roster was stocked by an expansion draft and they were given the top pick in the [[1999 NFL Draft]]. The Browns have not appeared in the Super Bowl since returning to the league.</ref> have ever won that contest, with only one, the [[Carolina Panthers]] (who reached the game in their [[Super Bowl XXXVIII|9th]] and [[Super Bowl 50|21st]] seasons of existence) playing in the game. In ((nfly|1996)), the Panthers and [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] each made it to their respective conference championship games in their second season in the league.

Expansion teams are usually considered as such in their first season and sometimes in their second season. A team that moves to another location and/or changes its name is not an expansion team. If it moves, it is known as a ''relocated team'', and if the name changes, the team is known as a ''renamed team''. In response to a negative attitude that some fans have towards relocated teams,((according to whom|date=January 2015)) there have recently been instances where relocating clubs change their identity completely; name, colors, and mascot; but because the roster is the same and the league does not expand as a result, they are not regarded as expansion teams. One exception is the [[Baltimore Ravens]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL): when the [[Cleveland Browns]] [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|moved to Baltimore]], an agreement was reached for which the trademark and history of the pre-1996 Cleveland Browns remained in that city and was claimed by the post-1999 Browns when the league placed a new franchise there, even though the personnel and roster had moved to Baltimore to become the Ravens.((citation needed|date=January 2015)) Another exception is the [[New Orleans Pelicans]], who were previously known as the New Orleans Hornets after relocating to New Orleans from Charlotte, N.C., in 2002. After the 2012 sale of the Hornets, new owner [[Tom Benson]] changed the name, colors, and mascot from Hornets to Pelicans. The Charlotte Hornets segment of the franchise's history was sold to the then-[[Charlotte Bobcats]] (themselves formerly considered a 2004 expansion team) and the 2002 New Orleans Hornets are now officially regarded as an expansion team.

Cities and regions with large populations that lack a team are generally regarded to be the best candidates for new teams. In [[rugby league]], the United Kingdom-based [[Rugby Football League]]'s [[Super League]] has added teams from [[France]] and [[Wales]] to cover a great demographic spread. The operator of Super League, England's [[Rugby Football League]], has also added teams to the lower levels of its league pyramid, specifically the [[Championship (rugby league)|Championship]] and [[League 1 (rugby league)|League 1]], from both France and Wales, and most recently [[Canada]]. In [[rugby union]], the competition originally known as the Celtic League and now as [[Pro14]], which began with sides only from the [[Celtic nations]] of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Scotland]], and Wales, has added teams from [[Italy]] and more recently [[South Africa]]. The U.S.-based NFL has been laying groundwork for a potential [[Potential London NFL franchise|franchise in the UK]], with a target date some time in the early to mid-2020s.

==Expansion teams in North America==

===[[Major League Baseball|Major League Baseball (MLB)]]===
((see also|Potential Major League Baseball expansion))
The [[National League (baseball)|National League]] had an eight-team lineup established in 1900, mirrored by the eight charter franchises of the [[American League]] in 1901. This list enumerates franchises added since this "Classic Eight" era.
*1961: [[Los Angeles Angels]]; Washington Senators (now [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]]) 
*1962: Houston Colt .45s (now [[Houston Astros]]); [[New York Mets]]
*1969: [[Kansas City Royals]]; [[Montreal Expos]] (now [[Washington Nationals]]); [[San Diego Padres]]; [[Seattle Pilots]] (now [[Milwaukee Brewers]])
*1977: [[Seattle Mariners]]; [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
*1993: [[Colorado Rockies]]; Florida Marlins (now [[Miami Marlins]])
*1998: [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]; Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now [[Tampa Bay Rays]])

===[[National Basketball Association|National Basketball Association (NBA)]]===
((see also|Expansion of the National Basketball Association))
Eight charter franchises of the NBA (founded in 1950 via merger of the [[Basketball Association of America|BAA]] and [[National Basketball League (United States)|NBL]]) are still active.
*1961: Chicago Packers (later Chicago Zephyrs, then Baltimore Bullets, then Capital Bullets, then Washington Bullets, now [[Washington Wizards]])
*1966: [[Chicago Bulls]]
*1967: [[San Diego Rockets]] (now [[Houston Rockets]]); [[Seattle SuperSonics]] (now [[Oklahoma City Thunder]])
*1968: [[Milwaukee Bucks]]; [[Phoenix Suns]]
*1970: [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]; [[Buffalo Braves]] (later [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]], now [[Los Angeles Clippers]]); [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
*1974: New Orleans Jazz (now [[Utah Jazz]])
*1976: New York Nets (later New Jersey Nets, now [[Brooklyn Nets]]), [[Denver Nuggets]], [[Indiana Pacers]], and [[San Antonio Spurs]] join NBA after [[American Basketball Association–National Basketball Association merger|merger]] with [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA).
*1980: [[Dallas Mavericks]] 
*1988: [[Miami Heat]]; [[Charlotte Hornets]] 
*1989: [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]; [[Orlando Magic]]
*1995: [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] (now [[Memphis Grizzlies]]); [[Toronto Raptors]]
*2002: New Orleans Hornets (now [[New Orleans Pelicans]]) – The Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002 and in 2013 renamed themselves the New Orleans Pelicans. Subsequently, the original Charlotte Hornets' history was assumed by the revived Charlotte Hornets (previously Charlotte Bobcats; see below). Hence, the Pelicans are retrospectively considered to be an expansion team that began play in the 2002–03 season, while the Charlotte Hornets are considered to have suspended operations from 2002 until 2004.<ref name=hornets_name_returns>((cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-name-returns-carolinas|last=Rochinski|first=Matt|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=August 9, 2023))</ref>
*2004: Charlotte Bobcats enter the league and hold an expansion draft. In 2014 the team was renamed the Charlotte Hornets (see above) and received possession of the history and records of the Charlotte Hornets prior to 2002. Hence, the Bobcats are retrospectively considered to be a revival of the previous Charlotte franchise, rather than an expansion team.

====[[American Basketball Association|American Basketball Association (ABA)]]====
There's only one expansion team in the whole history of the ABA.
*1972: [[San Diego Conquistadors]]

===[[National Football League|National Football League (NFL)]]===
Only extant teams are listed. Two charter franchises, the [[Chicago Cardinals]] (now [[Arizona Cardinals]]) and [[Decatur Staleys]] (now the [[Chicago Bears]]), are still active.

*1921: [[Green Bay Packers]], previously an independent, join the league.
*1925: [[New York Giants]] (replaced [[Brooklyn Giants|another team of the same name]] that left the league after one season in 1921)
*1930: [[History of the Portsmouth Spartans|Portsmouth Spartans]] (now [[Detroit Lions]]), previously of the [[Ohio League]], join the NFL.
*1932: Boston Braves (now [[Washington Commanders]]) – replaced the [[Cleveland Indians (NFL 1931)|1931 Cleveland Indians]], who in turn replaced the [[Orange/Newark Tornadoes]], a 1929 expansion team that left the league in 1931.
*1933: [[Philadelphia Eagles]] — replaced the [[Frankford Yellow Jackets]], a 1924 expansion team that folded in 1931; Pittsburgh Pirates (now [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]), previously the [[J.P. Rooneys|Rooneys]] of the [[Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit|Western Pennsylvania Senior Independent Football Conference]], join the league.
*1937: [[History of the Cleveland Rams|Cleveland Rams]] (now [[Los Angeles Rams]]) join, having previously played in the [[American Football League (1936)|1936 American Football League]].
*1950: Three teams joined the NFL after a partial merger with the rival [[All-America Football Conference]] (AAFC), two of which survive: [[Cleveland Browns]] and [[San Francisco 49ers]]
*1953: [[History of the Baltimore Colts|Baltimore Colts (second)]] (now [[Indianapolis Colts]]); not to be confused with the [[Baltimore Colts (1947–50)|AAFC Baltimore Colts]], who were the third AAFC team to join the NFL but folded in 1950. They replaced the position held by several franchises, dating back to another charter franchise, the [[Dayton Triangles]].
*1960: [[Dallas Cowboys]]
*1961: [[Minnesota Vikings]]
*1966: [[Atlanta Falcons]]
*1967: [[New Orleans Saints]]
*1970: Boston Patriots (now [[New England Patriots]]), [[Buffalo Bills]], [[Cincinnati Bengals]], [[Denver Broncos]], [[History of the Houston Oilers|Houston Oilers]] (now [[Tennessee Titans]]), [[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[Miami Dolphins]], [[New York Jets]], Oakland Raiders (now [[Las Vegas Raiders]]), and [[History of the San Diego Chargers|San Diego Chargers]] (now [[Los Angeles Chargers]]) join NFL after [[AFL–NFL merger|merger]] with the 1960 [[American Football League]] (AFL). 
*1976: [[Seattle Seahawks]]; [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
*1995: [[Carolina Panthers]]; [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]
*1996: [[Baltimore Ravens]] — The [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|Cleveland Browns effectively relocate to Baltimore]] and become the Ravens, though the legacy of the Browns stays in Cleveland for a future revival of the franchise (see below). Hence the Baltimore Ravens are officially considered an expansion team that began play in the 1996 season.
*1999: The Cleveland Browns are revived, hold an expansion draft, and receive sole possession of the history and records of the Browns prior to 1996. The Browns are retrospectively considered to be a revival of the previous Cleveland Browns franchise, rather than an expansion team.
*2002: [[Houston Texans]]

====[[American Football League]]====
Two teams from the AFL of the 1960s were expansion teams in that league. Both joined the AFL after the merger with the NFL was agreed to, but before it was finalized.
* 1966: [[Miami Dolphins]]
* 1968: [[Cincinnati Bengals]]

===[[National Hockey League|National Hockey League (NHL)]]===
((see also|Potential National Hockey League expansion))

The NHL had a six-team lineup established in 1942. This list enumerates the teams added since the "[[Original Six]]" era.

*1967: [[Los Angeles Kings]]; [[Minnesota North Stars]] (now [[Dallas Stars]]); [[California Seals]] (defunct; later Cleveland Barons; merged with Minnesota North Stars in 1978); [[Philadelphia Flyers]]; [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]; [[St. Louis Blues]]
*1970: [[Buffalo Sabres]]; [[Vancouver Canucks]]
*1972: [[Atlanta Flames]] (now [[Calgary Flames]]); [[New York Islanders]]
*1974: [[Kansas City Scouts]] (later [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies]], now [[New Jersey Devils]]); [[Washington Capitals]]
*1979: [[Hartford Whalers]] (now [[Carolina Hurricanes]]), [[Quebec Nordiques]] (now [[Colorado Avalanche]]), [[Edmonton Oilers]], and [[original Winnipeg Jets]] (now [[Arizona Coyotes]]) — all join NHL after [[NHL–WHA merger|merger]] with [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA).
*1991: [[San Jose Sharks]]
*1992: [[Ottawa Senators]]; [[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
*1993: [[Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]] (now Anaheim Ducks); [[Florida Panthers]]
*1998: [[Nashville Predators]]
*1999: [[Atlanta Thrashers]] (now current [[Winnipeg Jets]])
*2000: [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]; [[Minnesota Wild]]
*2017: [[Vegas Golden Knights]]
*2021: [[Seattle Kraken]]
*2024: [[Utah Hockey Club]] – for intents and purposes, the [[Arizona Coyotes]] roster and personnel (including draft picks) are [[Arizona Coyotes#Hockey assets' relocation to Utah and inactivation|relocated to Salt Lake City]] as an expansion franchise. The Coyotes franchise was deactivated by the NHL for five years with its intellectual property, colors, history remaining behind in Phoenix pending construction of a new arena by 2029.

===[[Major League Soccer|Major League Soccer (MLS)]]===
((see also|Expansion of Major League Soccer))

*1998: [[Chicago Fire FC]] (originally Chicago Fire SC); [[Miami Fusion]] (contracted in 2002)
*2005: [[Chivas USA]] (folded by the league in 2014); [[Real Salt Lake]]
*2006: [[Houston Dynamo]] – In 2005, the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] relocated to Houston, considered to be a new expansion team, while the Earthquakes were put on hiatus.
*2007: [[Toronto FC]]; revived San Jose Earthquakes
*2009: [[Seattle Sounders FC]]
*2010: [[Philadelphia Union]]
*2011: [[Portland Timbers]]; [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC]]
*2012: Montreal Impact (now [[CF Montréal]])
*2015: [[New York City FC]]; [[Orlando City SC]]
*2017: [[Atlanta United FC]]; [[Minnesota United FC]]
*2018: [[Los Angeles FC]]
*2019: [[FC Cincinnati]]
*2020: [[Inter Miami CF]]; [[Nashville SC]]
*2021: [[Austin FC]]
*2022: [[Charlotte FC]]
*2023: [[St. Louis City SC]]
*2025: [[San Diego FC]]

===[[Canadian Football League|Canadian Football League (CFL)]]===

*1993: [[Sacramento Gold Miners]] (defunct) – The first entry in the league's [[Canadian Football League in the United States|failed attempt to expand into the U.S.]] After the 1994 season, the team relocated to [[San Antonio]] and played as the [[San Antonio Texans]] before folding after the 1995 season.
*1994:
**[[Baltimore Stallions]] (technically defunct) – The Stallions were the most successful team in the CFL's U.S. experiment, winning the [[83rd Grey Cup|Grey Cup]] in [[1995 CFL season|1995]]. However, the [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|impending relocation]] of the NFL's Cleveland Browns to Baltimore led the team to depart for [[Montreal]], where it became the current version of the [[Montreal Alouettes]]. Despite this history, the CFL does not recognize the link between the Stallions and Alouettes, instead treating the Alouettes as a continuation of past CFL teams in Montreal.
**[[Las Vegas Posse]] (defunct) – Also part of the CFL's failed U.S. experiment
**[[Shreveport Pirates]] (defunct) – Also part of the CFL's failed U.S. experiment
*1995: [[Birmingham Barracudas]] (defunct); [[Memphis Mad Dogs]] (defunct)
*2002: [[Ottawa Renegades]] (defunct, though now treated by the CFL as the same team as the past Ottawa Rough Riders and current Ottawa Redblacks)
*2014: [[Ottawa Redblacks]]

=== [[National Lacrosse League|National Lacrosse League (NLL)]] ===
*1989: [[Detroit Turbos]] (defunct); [[New England Blazers]] (later [[Boston Blazers]]; defunct)
*1990: [[Pittsburgh Bulls]] (defunct)
*1992: [[Buffalo Bandits]]
*1995: [[Rochester Knighthawks]]
*1996: [[Charlotte Cobras]] (defunct)
*1998: [[Ontario Raiders]] (now [[Toronto Rock]]); [[Syracuse Smash]] (later [[Ottawa Rebel]]; defunct)
*2000: [[Albany Attack]] (later [[San Jose Stealth]], [[Washington Stealth]], and [[Vancouver Stealth]]; now [[Vancouver Warriors]])
*2001: [[Columbus Landsharks]] (later [[Arizona Sting]]; defunct)
*2002: [[Calgary Roughnecks]]; [[Montreal Express]] (defunct); [[New Jersey Storm]] (later [[Anaheim Storm]]; defunct); [[Vancouver Ravens]] (defunct)
*2005: [[Minnesota Swarm]] (now [[Georgia Swarm]])
*2006: [[Edmonton Rush]] (now [[Saskatchewan Rush]]); [[Portland Lumberjax]] (defunct)
*2007: [[Chicago Shamrox]] (defunct); [[New York Titans (lacrosse)|New York Titans]] (later [[Orlando Titans]]; defunct)
*2009: [[Boston Blazers]] (second iteration; defunct)
*2019: [[San Diego Seals]], [[Philadelphia Wings (2018–)|Philadelphia Wings]]
*2020: [[Halifax Thunderbirds]], [[New York Riptide]]
*2021: [[Panther City Lacrosse Club]]
*2022: [[Las Vegas Desert Dogs]]

===[[Major League Lacrosse|Major League Lacrosse (MLL)]]===

*2006: Chicago Machine (later the second iteration of the [[Rochester Rattlers]] and [[Dallas Rattlers]]) (defunct); [[Denver Outlaws]]; [[Los Angeles Riptide]] (defunct); [[San Francisco Dragons]] (defunct)
*2009: Toronto Nationals (later [[Hamilton Nationals]]; though the league considers it an expansion, it was a relocation of the management and player assets from the original [[Rochester Rattlers]], though the name, colors and team history remained in Rochester) (defunct)
*2012: [[Ohio Machine]] (defunct); [[Charlotte Hounds]] (hiatus then defunct with the PLL merger)
*2014: [[Florida Launch]] (Though the league considers it an expansion, it was a relocation of the management and player assets from the [[Hamilton Nationals]], though the name, colors, and team history remained in Hamilton.) (defunct)
*2016: [[Atlanta Blaze]] (defunct)
*2020: [[Connecticut Hammerheads]] (defunct with the PLL merger)

=== [[Major League Rugby|Major League Rugby (MLR)]] ===
Six of the seven charter franchises from 2018 remain active.

* 2019: [[Rugby United New York]]; [[Toronto Arrows]]
* 2020: [[New England Free Jacks]]; [[Old Glory DC]]; [[Rugby ATL]]
* 2021: [[LA Giltinis]] (defunct)
* 2022: [[Dallas Jackals]]
* 2023: [[Chicago Hounds (rugby union)|Chicago Hounds]]
* 2024: [[Miami Sharks (rugby union)|Miami Sharks]]

=== [[Women's National Basketball Association|Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)]] ===
*1998: [[Detroit Shock]] (later the [[Tulsa Shock]], now [[Dallas Wings]]); [[Washington Mystics]]
*1999: [[Orlando Miracle]] (now the [[Connecticut Sun]]); [[Minnesota Lynx]]
*2000: [[Indiana Fever]]; [[Seattle Storm]]; [[Miami Sol]] (folded); [[Portland Fire]] (folded)
*2006: [[Chicago Sky]]
*2008: [[Atlanta Dream]]
* 2025: [[Golden State Valkyries]]

===[[National Women's Soccer League|National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)]]===
((See also|NWSL expansion))

* 2014: [[Houston Dash]]
* 2016: [[Orlando Pride]]
* 2017: [[North Carolina Courage]] (roster relocated from folded [[Western New York Flash]])
* 2018: [[Utah Royals|Utah Royals FC]] (roster relocated from folded [[FC Kansas City]])
* 2021: [[Racing Louisville FC]]; [[Kansas City Current]] (roster relocated from folded Utah Royals FC)
* 2022: [[Angel City FC]]; [[San Diego Wave FC]]
* 2024: [[Bay FC]]; revival of Utah Royals (without "FC")
* 2026: [[NWSL Boston]]

===[[Canadian Premier League|Canadian Premier League (CPL)]]===

* 2020: [[Atlético Ottawa]]
* 2023: [[Vancouver FC]]

===[[Canadian Elite Basketball League|Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)]]===

* 2020: [[Ottawa BlackJacks]]
* 2022: [[Montreal Alliance]]; [[Scarborough Shooting Stars]]; [[Newfoundland Growlers (basketball)|Newfoundland Growlers]]
* 2023: [[Winnipeg Sea Bears]]

=== Junior League expansion teams ===

====[[Ontario Hockey League]]====

*1981: [[Belleville Bulls]] (Now the [[Hamilton Bulldogs]])
*1982: [[Guelph Platers]] (Later the [[Owen Sound Platers]]; now the [[Owen Sound Attack]])
*1990: [[Detroit Compuware Ambassadors]] (Later the [[Detroit Jr. Red Wings]], [[Detroit Whalers]], and [[Plymouth Whalers]]; now the [[Flint Firebirds]])
*1995: [[Barrie Colts]]
*1996: [[Toronto St. Michael's Majors]] (Later the [[Mississauga St. Michael's Majors]]; now the [[Mississauga Steelheads]])
*1998: [[Brampton Battalion]] (Now the [[North Bay Battalion]]); [[Mississauga IceDogs]] (Now the [[Niagara IceDogs]])

====[[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League]]====

*2005: [[Saint John Sea Dogs]]; [[St. John's Fog Devils]] (became [[Montreal Junior Hockey Club]] in 2008 and [[Blainville-Boisbriand Armada]] in 2011)
*2012: [[Sherbrooke Phoenix]]

====[[Western Hockey League]]====

*1991: [[Tacoma Rockets]] (Now the [[Kelowna Rockets]])
*1992: [[Red Deer Rebels]]
*1995: [[Calgary Hitmen]]
*1996: [[Edmonton Ice]] (Moved to [[Cranbrook, British Columbia]] two years later and changed their name to the [[Kootenay Ice]], now [[Winnipeg Ice]])
*2001: [[Vancouver Giants]]
*2003: [[Everett Silvertips]]
*2006: [[Chilliwack Bruins]] (Moved to [[Victoria, British Columbia]] in 2011 and became the [[Victoria Royals]])
*2007: [[Edmonton Oil Kings]]

==Expansion teams in Australia and New Zealand==

===[[A-League Men]]===
((see also|Expansion of the A-League Men))

*2007–08: [[Wellington Phoenix FC|Wellington Phoenix]]
*2009–10: [[Gold Coast United FC|Gold Coast United]] and [[Northern Fury FC]] (defunct)
*2010–11: Melbourne Heart (now [[Melbourne City FC|Melbourne City]] since [[2014–15 A-League]] season)
*2012–13: [[Western Sydney Wanderers FC|Western Sydney Wanderers]]
*2019–20: [[Western United FC|Western United]]
*2020–21: [[Macarthur FC]]
*2024–25: Auckland and Canberra

===[[Australian Baseball League]]===
*2018: [[Auckland Tuatara]]; [[Geelong-Korea]] (both folded after 2020 season)

===[[Australian Football League]]===

*1908: [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond Tigers]] (relocated from the VFA), [[Melbourne University Football Club|University]] (dropped out of competition and folded at the end of 1914)
*1925: [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn Hawks]], [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne Kangaroos]] and Footscray Bulldogs (became [[Western Bulldogs]] in 1996). All three teams relocated from the VFA.
*1987: Brisbane Bears (now [[Brisbane Lions]]); [[West Coast Eagles]]
*1991: [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide Crows]]
*1995: [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle Dockers]]
*1997: [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide Power]] (had history/links from the successful Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL)
*2011: [[Gold Coast Suns]]
*2012: [[Greater Western Sydney Giants]]
* 2028: [[Tasmania Football Club|Tasmania FC]] (planned)

===[[AFL Women's]]===
AFL Women's, launched in 2017 with 8 teams, is operated by the Australian Football League, with all teams fielded by AFL clubs. The league expanded to 10 teams prior to the 2019 season and 14 prior to the 2020 season. In 2023, the remaining four AFL clubs launched women's sides. 
* 2019: [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]]; [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]]
* 2020: [[Gold Coast Suns]]; [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]]; [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]]; [[West Coast Eagles]]
* 2023: [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]], [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]], [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]], [[Sydney Swans]]

===[[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]]===

*1980: [[Coburg Giants]] (later became [[North Melbourne Giants]] in 1987–1998); [[Launceston Casino City]] (defunct)
*1981: [[Forestville Eagles]] (now currently playing NBL1 Central)
*1982: Adelaide City Eagles (now [[Adelaide 36ers]]); [[Geelong Supercats|Geelong Cats]] (now Geelong Supercats until 1996 but now currently playing NBL1 South); Westate Wildcats (now [[Perth Wildcats]])
*1983: [[Devonport Warriors]] (defunct); [[Hobart Devils]] (defunct)
*1984: Melbourne Tigers (now [[Melbourne United]])
*1988: [[Sydney Kings]] (merger of [[Sydney Supersonics]] and [[West Sydney Westars]])
*1990: [[Gold Coast Rollers (NBL)|Gold Coast Cougars]] (defunct, later known as Gold Coast Rollers)
*1992: [[South East Melbourne Magic]] (defunct)
*1993: Townsville Suns (now [[Townsville Crocodiles]] since 1998)
*1998: [[Victoria Titans]] (later became Victoria Giants in 2002–2004 and then defunct); West Sydney Razorbacks (in its last season, [[Sydney Spirit]]; defunct)
*1999: [[Cairns Taipans]]
*2004: [[Hunter Pirates]] (defunct); [[New Zealand Breakers]]
*2006: [[Singapore Slingers]] (defunct); [[South Dragons]] (defunct)
*2007: [[Gold Coast Blaze]] (defunct)
*2019: [[South East Melbourne Phoenix]]
*2021: [[Tasmania JackJumpers]]

===[[National Rugby League]]===
((see also|Expansion of the National Rugby League))

*1910: [[Annandale (rugby league team)|Annandale]]
*1920: [[Sydney University rugby league team|University]]
*1921: [[St. George Dragons]]
*1935: [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
*1947: [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]; [[Parramatta Eels]]
*1967: [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]]; [[Penrith Panthers]]
*1982: [[Canberra Raiders]]; [[Illawarra Steelers]] (now part of joint venture with [[St. George Dragons]])
*1988: [[Brisbane Broncos]]; [[Gold Coast-Tweed Giants]] (later Chargers, now defunct); [[Newcastle Knights]]
*1995: Auckland Warriors (now [[New Zealand Warriors]]); [[North Queensland Cowboys]]; [[South Queensland Crushers]] (now defunct); [[Western Reds]] (now defunct)
*1998: [[Melbourne Storm]]; [[Adelaide Rams]] (now defunct)
*1999: [[St George Illawarra Dragons]] (Joint venture between [[St. George Dragons]] and [[Illawarra Steelers]])
*2000: [[Wests Tigers]] (joint venture between [[Western Suburbs Magpies]] and [[Balmain Tigers]])
*2000: [[Northern Eagles]] (joint venture between [[North Sydney Bears]] and [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]) (now defunct; reverted to Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
*2007: [[Gold Coast Titans]]
*2023: The [[Dolphins (NRL)|Dolphins]]

===[[New South Wales Cup]]===

*2007: [[Auckland Lions]]

===[[Northern Territory Football League]]===

*2006: [[Tiwi Bombers Football Club]]

===[[Queensland Cup]]===

*2008: [[Mackay Cutters]]; [[Northern Pride RLFC|Northern Pride]]
*2023: [[Western Clydesdales]]

===[[Ron Massey Cup]]===

*2008: [[WA Reds]]

===[[Super League (Australia)|Super League]]===

*1997: [[Adelaide Rams]] (now defunct); [[Hunter Mariners]] (now defunct)

===[[Super Rugby]]===

* 2006: [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]] and [[Western Force]]
** The Cheetahs and Force were both dropped from Super Rugby after the 2017 season. The Cheetahs immediately became an expansion team in Pro14 (now the United Rugby Championship), but ceased Super Rugby operations when the country's four principal Super Rugby sides joined the URC in 2021. The Force later moved to Australia's National Rugby Championship, but after that league folded, it would return to Super Rugby, first in the COVID-era Super Rugby AU before joining the retooled Super Rugby Pacific in 2022.
*2011: [[Melbourne Rebels]]
*2013: [[Southern Kings]]
** The Kings were dropped from Super Rugby at the same time as the Cheetahs and Force, and joined Pro14 alongside the Cheetahs. The team folded in 2020 when a planned takeover bid collapsed in fraud.
*2016: [[Jaguares (Super Rugby)|Jaguares]] and [[Sunwolves]] (both now defunct)
*2022: [[Moana Pasifika]] and [[Fijian Drua]]

===[[Victorian Football League]]===

*1998: [[Bendigo Bombers]]
*2001: [[Tasmania Devils Football Club (VFL)|Tasmanian Devils]]

===[[West Australian Football League]]===

*1997: [[Peel Thunder]]

===[[Women's National Basketball League]]===

*1983: [[Australian Institute of Sport (WNBL team)|AIS]] (defunct)
*1984: Bulleen Boomers (now [[Melbourne Boomers]])
*1986: [[Canberra Capitals]]
*1989: [[Sydney Flames]] (now [[Sydney Uni Flames]])
*1990: [[Perth Lynx]]
*1992: [[Adelaide Lightning]]; [[Dandenong Rangers]]
*2001: [[Townsville Fire]]
*2007: [[Bendigo Spirit]]
*2008: [[Logan Thunder (WNBL)|Logan Thunder]] (defunct)
*2015: [[South East Queensland Stars]]

==Expansion teams in Asia==

===[[Asia League Ice Hockey]]===

*2004: [[Changchun Fuao|Harbin]]; [[Changchun Fuao|Qiqihar]]; [[Golden Amur]] (all defunct) 
*2005: [[High1]]; [[Nordic Vikings]] (both defunct) 
*2006: [[Seibu Prince Rabbits]]; [[Changchun Fuao]]; [[China Dragon|China Hosa]] (all defunct) 
*2007: [[China Dragon]] (as China Sharks) (defunct) 
*2009: [[Tohoku Free Blades]] 
*2012: [[Daemyung Sangmu]] (defunct) 
*2013: [[PSK Sakhalin]] (expelled in 2022)
*2016: [[Daemyung Killer Whales]] (defunct) 
*2019: [[East Hokkaido Cranes]] (folded in 2023)
*2022: [[Yokohama Grits]]

===[[Indian Premier League]]===

*2011: [[Kochi Tuskers Kerala]]; [[Pune Warriors India]]
*2016: [[Gujarat Lions]]; [[Rising Pune Supergiants]]
*2022: [[Gujarat Titans]]; [[Lucknow Super Giants]]

===[[Indian Super League]]===

*2017–2018: [[Bengaluru FC]]; [[Jamshedpur FC]]
*2019–2020: [[Hyderabad FC]]
*2020–2021: [[SC East Bengal]]
*2023–2024: [[RoundGlass Punjab FC|RoundGlass Punjab]]
*2024–2025: [[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan SC]] 

===[[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]]===
*2018 (debut season): [[Bataan Defenders]] (now Bataan Risers); [[Batangas City Athletics]] (now Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters); [[Bulacan Kuyas]]; [[Caloocan Supremos]] (now Caloocan Batang Kankaloo); [[Imus Bandera]] (now Imus Agimat); [[Muntinlupa Cagers]]; [[Navotas Clutch]] (inactive, last played as Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines); [[Parañaque Patriots]]; [[Quezon City Capitals]] (now Quezon City Toda Aksyon); [[Valenzuela Classic]] 
*2018–19: [[Bacoor City Strikers]] (inactive); [[Basilan Steel]] (inactive); [[Cebu City Sharks]] (inactive, last played as Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol); [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]; [[GenSan Warriors]] (now South Cotabato Warriors); [[Laguna Heroes]] (now Biñan Tatak Gel); [[Makati Skyscrapers]] (inactive, last played as Makati OKBet Kings); [[Mandaluyong El Tigre]] (inactive); [[Manila Stars]] (now Manila Batang Sampaloc); [[Marikina Shoemasters]]; [[Pampanga Lanterns]] (now Pampanga Giant Lanterns); [[Pasig Pirates]] (inactive, last played as Pasig City MCW Sports); [[Pasay Voyagers]]; [[Rizal Crusaders]] (now Rizal Golden Coolers); [[San Juan Knights]]; [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] (now Zamboanga Master Sardines)
*2019–20: [[Bacolod Master Sardines]] (now Bacolod City of Smiles); [[Bicol Volcanoes]] (now Bicolandia Oragons); [[Iloilo United Royals]]; [[Mindoro Tamaraws]]; [[Nueva Ecija MiGuard]] (now Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards);  [[Soccsksargen Marlins]] (now Sarangani Marlins)
*2023: [[Negros Muscovados]]; [[Quezon Huskers]] 
*2024: [[Abra Weavers]]; [[Pangasinan Heatwaves]]; [[Tarlac United Force]] (withdrew)

===[[Philippine Basketball Association]]===

*1978: Filmanbank Bankers (defunct) 
*1979: Gilbey's Gin (now [[Barangay Ginebra San Miguel]]) 
*1980: CDCP/Galleon Shippers (defunct) 
*1983: Manhattan Shirtmakers/Country Fair Hotdogs (defunct) 
*1984: [[Manila Beer Brewmasters]] (folded after the 1986 season)
*1985: [[Shell Azodrin Bugbusters]] (folded in 2005)
*1986: [[Alaska Aces (PBA)|Alaska Aces]] (folded in 2022)
*1988: [[Purefoods Hotdogs]]
*1990: [[Pop Cola Sizzlers]] (folded after the 2001 season); Pepsi Hotshots (now [[TNT Tropang Giga]]) 
*1993: [[Sta. Lucia Realtors]] (folded in 2010)
*1999: [[Tanduay Rhum Masters]] (folded after the 2001 season)
*2000: [[Barako Bull Energy Boosters|Batang Red Bull Energy Kings]] (from the [[Philippine Basketball League|PBL]], note that the promotion and relegation system was not used.) (folded in 2011)
*2002: [[Barako Bull Energy|FedEx Express]] (folded in 2016); [[Coca-Cola Tigers]] (folded in 2012)
*2006: Welcoat Dragons (from the PBL, note that the promotion and relegation system was not used.) (now [[Rain or Shine Elasto Painters]]) 
*2010: [[Meralco Bolts]] 
*2011: [[Shopinas.com Clickers]] (folded in 2014)
*2012: [[GlobalPort Batang Pier]] 
*2014: [[Blackwater Elite]]; Kia Sorento (now [[Terrafirma Dyip]]); [[NLEX Road Warriors]] 
*2016: [[Phoenix Fuel Masters]] 
*2022: [[Converge FiberXers]]

===[[Philippines Football League]]===
*2017 (debut season): Ceres-Negros F.C. (now [[United City F.C.]]); [[Davao Aguilas F.C.]]; [[Global F.C.]] (club license suspended); [[Ilocos United F.C.]] (inactive); Kaya F.C. (now [[Kaya F.C.-Iloilo]]); [[Loyola F.C.]] (formerly F.C. Meralco Manila); [[JPV Marikina F.C.]] (inactive, reverted to Manila All-Japan F.C. name); [[Stallion Laguna F.C.]]
*2019: [[Green Archers United F.C.]] (defunct); [[Mendiola F.C. 1991]]; [[Philippine Air Force F.C.]]
*2020: [[Azkals Development Team]] (defunct); [[Maharlika Manila F.C.|Maharlika Manila]] (now Maharlika Taguig F.C.)
*2022-2023: [[Dynamic Herb Cebu F.C.]] 
*2024: [[Don Bosco Garelli F.C.|Don Bosco Garelli]]; [[Manila Digger F.C.|Manila Digger]]; [[Manila Montet F.C.|Manila Montet]]; [[One Taguig F.C.|One Taguig]]; [[Philippine Army F.C.|Philippine Army]]; [[Tuloy F.C.]]

===[[Pakistan Super League]]===

*2018: [[Multan Sultans]]

===[[P. LEAGUE+]]===
*2021: [[New Taipei Kings]]; [[Kaohsiung Steelers]]

===[[Premier Volleyball League]]===
*2021 (pro debut): [[BaliPure Purest Water Defenders|BaliPure]] (inactive); [[Philippine Army Lady Troopers|Philippine Army]] (inactive); [[Cignal HD Spikers (women's team)|Cignal HD]]; [[Chery Tiggo Crossovers|Chery Tiggo]]; [[Choco Mucho Flying Titans|Choco Mucho]]; [[Creamline Cool Smashers|Creamline]]; [[Perlas Spikers]] (inactive); [[Petro Gazz Angels|Petro Gazz]]; [[PLDT Volleyball Club|PLDT]]; [[Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors]] (inactive)
*2022: [[F2 Logistics Cargo Movers|F2 Logistics]] (defunct); [[Akari Chargers]]
*2023: [[Quezon City Gerflor Defenders]] (defunct); [[Foton Tornadoes]] (defunct); [[Nxled Chameleons]]; [[Galeries Highrisers]]; [[Farm Fresh Foxies]]
*2024: [[Strong Group Athletics]] (now [[Zus Coffee Thunderbelles]]); [[Capital1 Solar Spikers]]

==Expansion teams in Europe==

===[[Kontinental Hockey League]]===

*2009: [[Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg]]
*2010: [[HC Yugra]]
*2011: [[HC Lev Poprad|Lev Poprad]] – This team, based in Slovakia, was purchased after its first KHL season (2011–12) by Czech interests. It was disbanded and replaced by the similarly named [[HC Lev Praha|Lev Praha]]. The latter team folded at the end of the 2013–14 season.
*2012: [[HC Donbass]]; [[HC Slovan Bratislava|Slovan Bratislava]]
** Donbass left the KHL after the 2013–14 season. The team joined what is now known as the [[Ukrainian Hockey League]] in 2015–16.
*2013: [[Admiral Vladivostok]]; [[KHL Medveščak]] (from Zagreb, Croatia)
** Medveščak, which had joined from the [[Austrian Hockey League]], withdrew from the KHL after the 2016–17 season to rejoin the Austrian league.
*2014: [[HC Sochi|Sochi]]; [[Jokerit]] (from Helsinki, Finland)
*2016: [[HC Kunlun Red Star|Kunlun Red Star]] (from Beijing, China)
*2023: [[HC Lada Togliatti|Lada Togliatti]]

===[[United Rugby Championship]]===
Originally known as the Celtic League, and later as Pro12 and Pro14.
*2010:
**[[Aironi]] – A team formed specifically for the competition by several existing clubs in Northern Italy, with [[Rugby Viadana|Viadana]] the lead side. The team folded when the [[Italian Rugby Federation]] (FIR) revoked its professional license effective with the end of the [[2011–12 Pro12|2011–12 Pro12 season]]; it was replaced by the FIR-operated [[Zebre]].
**[[Benetton Rugby|Benetton Treviso]] – Founded in 1932, it competed in Italian domestic leagues before joining the competition originally known as the Celtic League, later known as Pro12 and now as Pro14.
*2017:
**[[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]]
**[[Southern Kings]]
*** These teams had played in [[Super Rugby]] before that competition's governing body, [[SANZAAR]], axed three teams at the end of the 2017 season. Both had themselves been Super Rugby expansion teams; the Cheetahs entered in 2006 and the Kings in 2013. The Kings were liquidated prior to the 2020–21 season when a planned takeover bid collapsed in fraud; the Cheetahs left after that season.
* 2021:
** [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
** [[Lions (United Rugby Championship)|Lions]]
** [[Sharks (rugby union)|Sharks]]
** [[Stormers]]
*** South Africa's so-called "Big Four" Super Rugby sides left that competition after its reorganisation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They joined the former Pro14, which changed its name to the United Rugby Championship.

===[[Super League]]===

*1995: [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris Saint-Germain RL]] (now defunct)
*2006: [[Catalans Dragons]] — Although Super League used a [[promotion and relegation]] system at that time, ''Les Catalans'', as the only French team in the otherwise all-English competition, were assured of a place in the league through [[Super League XIII|2008]]. Super League instituted a [[2009–11 Super League licences|franchise system]] effective with [[Super League XIV|the 2009 season]], and ''Les Catalans'' retained their place in the league.
*2009:
**[[Crusaders Rugby League|Celtic Crusaders]] (later Crusaders Rugby League) – An expansion team only in the sense that they were invited into Super League. The club were established in 2005. After the [[Super League XVI|2011 season]], the club folded due to financial problems; their effective successor club, the [[North Wales Crusaders]], currently compete in [[League 1 (rugby league)|League 1]], two levels below Super League.
**[[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]] – Also technically not an expansion team; they have existed since 1873 and played in Super League as recently as [[Super League XII|the 2007 season]].
*2012: [[Widnes Vikings]] – An expansion team only in the sense that they have been invited into the now-franchised Super League. The club have existed since 1875, were founding members of what is now the [[Rugby Football League]] in 1895, and participated in Super League as recently as [[Super League X|2005]].

===[[VTB United League]]===

*2010: [[Espoon Honka]]; [[BC Tsmoki-Minsk|Tsmoki-Minsk]] (formerly Minsk-2006)
*2022: [[BC Samara|Samara]]; [[MBA Moscow]] 
*2023: [[BC Ural Yekaterinburg|Uralmash Ekaterinburg]]; [[Runa Basket Moscow]] 

==Expansion teams in Africa==

===[[Vodacom Cup]]===

*2010:
** Welwitschias (a developmental side for the [[Namibia national rugby union team]]) – This was the second time Namibia participated in the competition; it entered a team from 1999 to 2001. The team withdrew from the competition after the 2011 season due to financial constraints. They remained in the Vodacom Cup until the competition was scrapped after its 2015 season. The team now features in the Vodacom Cup's successor competition, the [[Rugby Challenge (South Africa)|Rugby Challenge]].
**[[Pampas XV]] (a developmental side for the [[Argentina national rugby union team]]) – Argentina left the Vodacom Cup after the 2013 season, choosing instead to enter the [[Pacific Rugby Cup|IRB Pacific Cup]] from 2014. At that time, it was also expected that Argentina would be added to Super Rugby in the near future,<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/argentina/rugby/story/208549.html |title=Radical changes as Argentina plans for the future |website=ESPN Scrum |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=10 December 2013))</ref> and the country would eventually receive a Super Rugby team beginning in 2016.

==eSports==
===''[[League of Legends]]''===
The [[League of Legends Championship Series]] (LCS) and the [[League of Legends European Championship]] (LEC) initially fielded teams from eight organizations when they began operations in 2013; both leagues expanded to a total of ten teams in 2015.

'''LCS expansion teams'''
* [[Team Liquid]] (2015)
* [[Winterfox]] (2015; folded 2016)
* [[Gravity Gaming]] → [[Echo Fox]] (2015; folded 2019)
* [[Immortals (eSports)|Immortals]] (2016)
* [[Phoenix1]] (2016; folded 2018)
* [[Flyquest]] (2017)
* [[100 Thieves]] (2018)
* [[Golden Guardians]] (2018)
* [[Evil Geniuses]] (2020)

'''LEC expansion teams'''
* [[Elements (eSports)|Elements]] (2015; folded 2016)
* [[SK Gaming]] (2015)
* [[FC Schalke 04 Esports|Schalke 04]] (2016)
* [[Splyce]] → MAD Lions (2016)
* [[G2 Esports]] (2016)
* [[Team Vitality]] (2016)
* [[Excel Esports]] (2019)
* [[Rogue (esports)|Rogue]] (2019)

==Notes==
((reflist|group=note))

==References==
((reflist))

((DEFAULTSORT:Expansion Team))
[[Category:Sports terminology]]
[[Category:Proposed sports clubs and teams| ]]

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