Skip to main content

After the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33, things got a little out of hand. Yes, Philly won the Super Bowl and people rioted, but the Eagles are not the only ones to destroy their own city out of sheer excitement. Here’s a list of other cities where people rioted after their team won. You won’t believe what happened after Cleveland sold 10-cent beer.

1. We feel bad for the horses in Philadelphia

A man climbs a traffic pole as Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate
A man climbs a traffic pole as Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate. | Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

After the Eagles beat the Pats, thousands of people stormed the streets of Philly. Fans looted a gas station, toppled light poles and traffic signals, and one fan actually ate horse excrement. Even after officials greased light poles with motor oil, fans still climbed them, as well as the gates of City Hall, subway entrances, and the awning of the Ritz-Carlton, which they destroyed.

Next: Boston also rioted, even though their team lost.

2. Six people got arrested in Boston after loss

nick foles and carson wentz celebrate
The Eagles won against the Patriots and even Boston rioted. | Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

The Boston Globe reports that six people were arrested and 12 went to the hospital after about 2,000 people gathered at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus after the Eagles beat the Patriots. Campus officials said the gathering became so large, state police troopers arrived in riot gear to help disperse the crowd. State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said troopers helped with crowd control at campuses in Amherst, Dartmouth, and Boston. “The loss probably tamped down a lot of activity that we would have seen.”

Next: The city got really excited after the Red Sox broke the curse.

3. Boston also lost its mind when the Red Sox won

red sox fans at a parade
The Red Sox beat their streak and the city exploded. | LornaWu/iStock/Getty Images

When the Red Sox broke an 86-year curse and took home the World Series in 2004, fans rioted in the streets. The celebration started the week before when the team beat the Yankees, and police had to disperse crowds with pepper spray after one person died. Three years later, more rioting ensued when the team won again. Fans threw rocks at police in riot gear, destroyed businesses, and literally set the city on fire. Again, in 2013, fans climbed lamp posts, flipped cars, and battled police when the Red Sox won.

Next: A police car lost a window during the following party.

4. Broncos fans shattered a cruiser window

Blue police light on top of a police car at night.
A police car window lost this riot battle. | Chalabala/iStock/Getty Images

When the Broncos won the Super Bowl, police had to close down streets to control the crowd. The Denver Post writes that officers used pepper spray to clear the crowds. A total of 12 people saw arrest for criminal mischief, fire-starting, and throwing things at police officers. As part of the insanity, a window on a police cruiser got shattered. “Overall, things went pretty well,” said police spokesman Sonny Jackson. “There were a handful of people who were somewhat unruly.”

Next: Michael Jordan is partly to blame for this one.

5. Chicago Cubs fans really lost control

a fan waves a W flag outside wrigley field
Thousands gathered outside of Wrigley Field for game seven of the world series. Fans celebrate by climbing traffic lights a waving the “W” Flag. | Alexander Gouletas/iStock/Getty Images

When Jordan led the Cubs to the championships in the 1990s, the city rioted every time. The worst fighting broke out in 1993, when a woman got shot on a balcony and rioters pulled a man from his car and shot him to death. Police subsequently arrested nearly 700 people. Rioting also caused almost $10 million in damages.

Next: Hockey fans also get a little over-excited when their team wins.

6. Vancouver got out of hand after the Stanley Cup

People flip a vehicle during Vancouver Stanley Cup celebrations
People flip a vehicle during Vancouver Stanley Cup celebrations. | Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

In the final minutes before the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in the 2011 Stanley Cup, a riot broke out. An out-of-control mob flipped and burned cars, smashed windows, looted stores, and even attacked people, according to Global News. Damage came to approximately $3.7 million, after 112 businesses and 122 vehicles were damaged and 52 assaults took place.

Next: When the World Series win went to this city, it blew up.

7. Philly also rioted after winning the World Series

Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell waves to the crowd as he arrives at a victory rally at Citizens Bank Park October 31, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win their first World Series in 28 years.
Crowds took over the city after the Philadelphia Phillies won. | Jeff Fusco/Getty Images

When the Phillies won the World Series, the city just about went up in flames. Authorities arrested a total of 76 people after crowds smashed windows, overturned cars, smashed the windows of a TV van, and destroyed bus shelters. Crowds toppled light poles and generally caused mayhem to celebrate the end of a 25-year championship drought.

Next: People actually died during this basketball celebration.

8. Detroit’s win saw stabbings as riots broke out

crime tape in Detroit
Detroit got out of control after the Pistons won. | Bill Pugliano /Getty Images

When the Pistons won the 1990 basketball championship, eight people died in celebratory riots. Gunfire and stabbings broke out as part of the fighting, and police arrested 35 people as looting began. Four people, including three children, lost their lives when a motorist ran down celebrating fans and one 21-year-old fell off a roof and died. In 1984, the city also went crazy when the Tigers won the World Series. One person died, nine reported rapes, and 80 people got injured during those celebrations.

Next: What did Cleveland think would happen when they did this?

9. Cleveland wins for this extremely dumb idea

Cleveland Browns fans celebrates after defeating the San Diego Chargers
Cleveland went insane after this incredibly dumb sale. | Jason Miller/Getty Images

In 1974, Indians fans went nuts after the team decided selling 10-cent beer sounded like a good idea. Fans got extremely intoxicated and started lighting fireworks, throwing bottles, and storming the field. They ransacked the stadium and chased down opposing players before looting the area. Opposition manager Billy Martin, of the Texas Rangers, said, “That was the closest you’re ever going to be to seeing someone get killed in this game of baseball.”