When Did the Baltimore Ravens Join the NFL?

The Baltimore Ravens were established in 1996 and began playing in the 1996 NFL season, making the franchise 28 years old as of 2024. The team was created after the previous Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis in 1984, leaving the city without an NFL team for 12 years. The Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV in February 2001, their first season in a new stadium.

The 12-Year Gap and the Team's Return

Baltimore lost professional football when the Colts departed overnight in March 1984. The city remained without an NFL franchise through the late 1980s and early 1990s while fans followed teams like the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. The return of football became a major civic priority. In 1993, Maryland's state legislature authorized funding for a new stadium, and in 1995, the Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore. The franchise was renamed the Ravens before the 1996 season kicked off.

The Ravens played their first season at Memorial Stadium (the same venue where the Colts had played) before moving to M&T Bank Stadium in 1998. That stadium still serves as their home and is located in downtown Baltimore's Inner Harbor district, accessible by the Light Rail's Central Station stop.

Early Success and Cultural Impact

The 1996 inaugural season drew strong attendance despite the team's 4-12 record. By 2000, in their fifth season, the Ravens reached Super Bowl XXXV and defeated the New York Giants 34-7 on January 28, 2001. That victory made Baltimore only the second city to return to the Super Bowl after losing its original team (the other being Indianapolis with the Colts, ironically). Linebacker Ray Lewis became the team's iconic defensive figure and won Super Bowl MVP honors that game.

The Ravens won a second Super Bowl championship in the 2012 season (Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013), defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31. That team featured quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice. The 2012 championship run remains the franchise's most recent title.

Comparing the Two Baltimore NFL Eras

The original Colts (1953-1983) won Super Bowl V in 1971 and were led by quarterback Johnny Unitas. The Ravens won back-to-back Super Bowls 12 years after the franchise began, which is substantially faster than the original Colts' path to a championship. The Ravens have made 14 playoff appearances in their first 28 seasons, compared to the Colts' 10 playoff appearances in 30 seasons.

Regular Season Attendance and Stadium Details

M&T Bank Stadium holds 71,008 fans and typically fills to near capacity for games against division rivals like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Single-game ticket prices vary widely depending on opponent and seat location, ranging from roughly $40 for upper-deck seats against less popular opponents to $200+ for prime seats against division rivals or playoff games. The Ravens' official website (baltimoreravens.com) lists current pricing for each upcoming game rather than publishing fixed season rates.

Season ticket holders pay annual fees that vary by seating tier; the team's ticket office handles all account-specific pricing questions at their official channels. The stadium is accessible by car (with substantial parking available), the Light Rail's Central Station stop, and local bus routes. Gameday parking in nearby lots costs between $25 and $40 depending on distance from the stadium.

Notable Players and Records

Since 1996, the Ravens have developed several Hall of Fame-caliber players: Ray Lewis (linebacker, 17 seasons), Jonathan Ogden (offensive tackle, 12 seasons), and Ed Reed (safety, 2011-2012). Quarterback Lamar Jackson, drafted in 2018, won the 2019 NFL MVP award and led the Ravens to the best regular-season record in franchise history (14-2) in 2019, though the team lost in the divisional round of playoffs that season.

The franchise has never had a losing season longer than two years. Its longest drought between playoff appearances was 2005-2006. In contrast, the original Colts made the playoffs 10 times in 30 seasons, meaning the Ravens have sustained more consistent postseason success.