First NFL Franchise in Arizona
The NFL's original team: a century of history from Chicago to the desert.
The Arizona Cardinals hold the unique and enduring distinction of being the oldest continuously operating franchise in the National Football League. While they have played under various names and in different cities throughout their history, including the Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Phoenix Cardinals, their lineage traces back to the very first season of professional football's major league era. This record is not merely a statistical footnote but the defining characteristic of the club's identity, representing over a century of resilience through relocations, name changes, and the evolution of the sport itself.
- Role
- Oldest Continuously Operating NFL Franchise
- Founded
- 1898 (as Chicago Cardinals)
- First NFL Season
- 1920
- League Affiliation
- National Football League (NFL)
- Status
- Active
- Home Stadium Era
- State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ) since 2006
Lore & Background
This status as the oldest team is a badge of honor that connects modern fans directly to the pioneers of the game. The franchise witnessed the transition from leather helmets and muddy fields to the high-speed, billion-dollar industry it is today. Despite never winning a Super Bowl—a record shared with only one other original franchise—their longevity is their greatest achievement. They are the living memory of the NFL, having played against legends like Jim Brown and Joe Montana while carrying the torch of continuity through nine decades of American history.
In Their Own Story
The desert wind howled across the empty practice fields of Tempe in the late 1980s, a stark contrast to the icy winds of Chicago or the humidity of St. Louis. An old coach walked the sideline, looking at a faded photograph of the team from 1925. He realized that while the jersey colors had shifted and the city names on the map had changed, the heartbeat of this organization remained the same. It was the oldest pulse in the league, beating steadily through a century of change, finally finding its home under the vast Arizona sky.
Reader's Guide
The achievement of being the first NFL franchise in Arizona is inextricably linked to the team's status as the league's oldest continuous entity. When the franchise relocated from St. Louis to Phoenix for the 1988 season, it marked a historic moment not just for the state, but for the league's geography. This move was significant because it brought professional football to a region that had long been overlooked by major sports leagues. The team played its first home games in Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University, drawing massive crowds eager to see the historic franchise take root in the Southwest. The significance lies in continuity; unlike expansion teams created from scratch, this was a transplanting of history. It brought with it 68 years of NFL experience and a roster that had existed since the league's inception. This established Arizona as a permanent fixture on the NFL map, proving that the league could thrive in the desert.
Did You Know?
- The Cardinals are one of only two teams still operating from the original 1920 APFA charter members; the other is the Green Bay Packers.
- Before moving to Arizona, the team was known as the St. Louis Cardinals and played in Chicago for over five decades.
- The franchise won NFL Championships in 1925 and 1947 before the Super Bowl era began.
- They were the first major professional sports team to call Arizona home, paving the way for other franchises.