Cincinnati Area Sports Teams You Need to Follow in 2017

Cincinnati is home to some of the nation's most beloved sports teams. Whether you enjoy football, hockey, baseball, soccer or basketball, the Queen City is the place to be. Here are five of Cincinnati's top teams that sports fans will want to follow:

Known as the nation's first baseball team, the Reds formed in the early 1880s and have been kept alive by their devoted fans ever since. While their 2016 season might have been discouraging, Reds fans are loyal, and as resilient as the game itself. This year, fans will be watching Jose Peraza, one of the brightest young talents in baseball. All eyes will also be on speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton, and veterans Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. The Reds might be a few years away from contention, but there are many bright spots that make a trip to Great American Ball Park worthwhile.

Cincinnati's Kelly Cup Championship winning hockey team is a favorite among city locals. The team was formed in 1990 as a member of the East Coast Hockey League and quickly established themselves as frontrunners in the league. They have earned bragging rights with the ECHL’s all-time most successful season of 55 wins in the 2007-08 season and set the record for the largest audience in professional hockey's 41 year history at US Bank Arena during a game in 2016.

Fans are captivated by the fast-paced excitement that the Cyclones games deliver, so be sure to purchase tickets to a game before season’s end!

Founded in 1966, the Cincinnati Bengals hit their stride in the early 1980s, winning the American Football League Championship in both '81 and '88. Since quarterback Andy Dalton arrived in 2011, the Bengals made the playoffs every year until 2016. Renowned fan favorites include Dalton, wide receiver A.J. Green, and running back Jeremy Hill. Take a trip to Paul Brown Stadium for an experience you won’t soon forget!

FC Cincinnati began playing in 2016 as a member of the United Soccer League. The team's games are also played at Paul Brown Stadium, and have drawn as many as 15,000 fans. Soccer enthusiasts are thrilled with the team's success in their first year, which has earned the FC Cincinnati Soccer Club media attention and overall credibility.

Fans will want to get in on the action as Cincinnati watches the rise of soccer and achieves new heights on the soccer field. In February 2017, the club will host a Citywide Winter Tournament, so be sure to visit the team's website to learn more or to purchase tickets.

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team has collected more than 1,700 wins throughout their history, which places them among the top 20 programs of all time. This season, the team has achieved a fast start and is currently ranked in the top 25 nationally. The team is championed on and off campus, so make plans to catch a Bearcats basketball game and cheer on one of the best programs in the country!

Residents of the Cincinnati area sure love their home teams. Do you plan on attending any games this season? Let us know in the comments below!