Do the Atlanta Hawks Have a Championship? A Local Fan’s Guide

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just trying to understand the city’s sports history, you’ve probably wondered: Do the Atlanta Hawks have an NBA championship?

Yes – the Hawks franchise has one NBA championship, but it came before the team moved to Atlanta.

Below is how that history works, what it means for Atlanta, and how you can experience Hawks history and culture around the city today.

The Short Answer: Yes, But Not Won in Atlanta

The Hawks franchise has:

• 1 NBA Championship – 1958, when the team was the St. Louis Hawks
• 0 NBA championships won while based in Atlanta

So when people ask, “Do the Atlanta Hawks have a championship?” the most accurate answer is:

For long-time Atlanta fans, that makes the modern Hawks feel like a team still chasing its first title for the city.

A Quick Timeline of Hawks Championship History

Here’s a simplified look at how the team’s journey led to Atlanta:

From 1968 onward, everything the team has done has been part of Atlanta sports history—including playoff runs, star players, and deep connections with the city.

What Counts as “Our” Championship in Atlanta?

If you’re in Atlanta, you’ll hear the title described in a couple of ways:

• Franchise history perspective:
  The Hawks organization has one NBA championship, which belongs to the entire franchise, including its time in St. Louis.

• City pride perspective (Atlanta-focused):
  Many local fans focus more on what’s happened since the move to Atlanta, so they’ll say:

  • The Hawks franchise is a past champion
  • The Atlanta Hawks, as an Atlanta-based team, are still trying to win their first championship for the city

Both views are commonly used and both are technically correct. From a fan standpoint in Atlanta, the big goal ahead is an NBA title won with Atlanta on the front of the jersey.

How Close Have the Atlanta Hawks Come to a Championship?

Even though there’s no Atlanta-era title yet, the Hawks have had some strong seasons that energized the city:

Eastern Conference Finals Appearances

The Atlanta Hawks have reached the Eastern Conference Finals multiple times, including:

• 1994 (strong era with Dominique Wilkins’ legacy still influencing the franchise)
• 2015 (the 60-win team led by Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver)
• 2021 (Trae Young’s breakout playoff run that brought national attention to Atlanta)

These deep playoff runs helped build local pride and showed that Atlanta is capable of competing near the top of the league, even if the final step—a championship—hasn’t happened yet.

Experiencing Hawks History and Culture in Atlanta

If you’re in the Atlanta area, there are several ways to connect with the Hawks’ past, present, and championship aspirations.

1. State Farm Arena – The Home of Today’s Hawks

State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta is the heart of modern Hawks basketball.

• Location: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Nearby landmarks: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park
• What you’ll find:
  • Regular Hawks home games during the NBA season
  • Team history displays, photos, and tributes to past Hawks legends
  • A game-day environment that highlights the team’s connection to Atlanta culture, music, and neighborhoods

Going to a game is one of the best ways to feel the city’s energy around the Hawks and their ongoing chase for a championship.

2. Team Stores and Merch Around the City

Throughout metro Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Hawks jerseys and gear in major sporting goods stores and malls
• Special “Peachtree,” “404,” or city-inspired designs that celebrate Atlanta’s identity

Many local fans wear Hawks gear not just to represent the team, but also to show pride in the city, especially during playoff runs.

3. Local Basketball Culture Inspired by the Hawks

The Hawks’ presence and quest for a title have helped shape basketball culture in and around Atlanta:

• Youth leagues and AAU teams around metro Atlanta often look up to Hawks players as examples.
• Public parks and courts in areas like:
  • Grant Park
  • Piedmont Park
  • Neighborhood recreation centers operated by Atlanta Parks and Recreation
    often have pick-up games filled with fans who follow the Hawks closely.

Some fans discuss playoff series, trades, and future championship hopes right on the court.

How the Hawks Fit Into Atlanta’s Championship Picture

Atlanta sports fans often see the Hawks in the broader local context:

• Atlanta Braves – Multiple World Series titles, most recently in 2021
• Atlanta Falcons – Two Super Bowl appearances, still seeking a Super Bowl win
• Atlanta United FC – Won the MLS Cup in 2018

Within that mix, the Hawks are the city’s long-running NBA representative, and fans hope they’ll eventually bring a modern-era championship banner to hang in State Farm Arena.

For many locals, a Hawks championship would:

• Cement Atlanta’s reputation as a major basketball city
• Add another title to the city’s growing list of sports achievements
• Reward decades of loyal local support, even through rebuilds and roster changes

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Curious About the Hawks

If you’re in town and want to understand the team’s place in the city:

• Catch a home game at State Farm Arena if your visit lines up with the NBA schedule.
• Take a stroll through downtown or the Centennial Olympic Park area before or after a game to feel the game-day buzz.
• Listen to local sports talk radio or chat with residents; many Atlantans have strong opinions about:
  • Trae Young’s role as a franchise star
  • The path to finally winning a title in Atlanta
  • Which past teams (like the 2015 60-win squad) came closest

Even if you’re not a lifelong fan, it’s a good way to understand how the Hawks are woven into Atlanta’s identity.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• ✅ Yes, the Hawks franchise has an NBA Championship – won in 1958 as the St. Louis Hawks.
• ❌ The Atlanta-based Hawks have not yet won a championship for the city.
• 🏀 The team has had strong playoff runs and Eastern Conference Finals appearances, keeping hope alive for a future Atlanta title.
• 📍 You can experience Hawks culture and history in person at State Farm Arena, around downtown Atlanta, and at courts and rec centers throughout the city.

So, while the record books show one championship in franchise history, Atlanta fans are still waiting – and actively cheering – for the first NBA title won in and for Atlanta.