Paris has been ranked the world’s top sports city for 2025, according to Burson’s annual global study. The French capital secured the number one spot for the third consecutive year, followed by Los Angeles and New York. London and Madrid completed the top five.
The 2025 Ranking of Sports Cities, published in Lausanne, evaluates 100 cities worldwide that are most strongly associated with sport. The study combines perception-based surveys and quantitative analysis, drawing feedback from international sports leaders, industry experts and more than 1,000 sports media representatives. It also incorporates social media analytics and, for the first time, PR metrics from global media tracking.
Top 10 Sports Cities in 2025
The latest ranking confirms the continued dominance of established global hubs, while highlighting new challengers emerging due to mega-events and diversified sports strategies.
| Rank 2025 | City | Rank 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | New York | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | London | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Madrid | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Barcelona | 8 | +2 |
| 7 | Munich | 16 | +9 |
| 8 | Miami | 16 | +8 |
| 9 | Milan | 27 | +18 |
| 10 | Manchester | 7 | -3 |
Olympic Cycle Shapes Rankings
The ranking identifies the Olympic lifecycle as a major influence on city performance. Hosting typically creates a surge of visibility, followed by decline, with recovery possible through legacy initiatives. Paris maintained its number one position after hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, while Milan rose 18 places to ninth in anticipation of the 2026 Winter Games. Salt Lake City improved to 31st as it prepares for the 2034 Winter Olympics, and Rio de Janeiro climbed 41 places to 33rd by reusing 2016 Olympic facilities for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
North America’s Rise Through Mega-Events
North American cities recorded some of the strongest gains, reflecting an unprecedented concentration of upcoming global tournaments. The United States hosted the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympics. These events boosted Miami, now ranked eighth, and Boston, which advanced nine places to 17th. Montreal gained 31 positions to 27th, while Edmonton improved by 13 spots to 22nd. Mexico City climbed to 18th ahead of the 2026 World Cup, while Los Angeles and New York consolidated their top three positions.
Impact of Women’s Sports
The report underscores that investment in women’s sports has become a significant factor in city rankings. Lyon entered the list at 75th, propelled by the achievements of its women’s football team. London reinforced its profile with the Women’s Rugby World Cup finals and the return of a WTA 500 tennis tournament. The trend is expected to continue, with Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne projected to benefit from hosting the UEFA Women’s Euro and the Women’s Tour de France.
Diversification Over One-Off Events
Cities with year-round sports ecosystems outperformed those reliant on individual tournaments. Madrid balanced its football clubs with the Madrid Open tennis tournament, while Lausanne leveraged its role as home to international sports federations and events such as the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. In the Middle East, Abu Dhabi rose to 23rd through consistent hosting of Formula 1, golf and tennis, while Riyadh advanced to 38th with a growing portfolio across football, golf and mixed martial arts.
AI and Digital Engagement
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a new competitive advantage. Madrid strengthened its fifth-place ranking with the Madrid Innovation District and an Adobe partnership to deliver data-driven fan engagement. Munich, now ranked seventh, benefited from FC Bayern Munich’s digital initiatives, while Boston applied advanced engagement strategies alongside its established professional sports base.
“The 2025 Ranking of Sport Cities underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of the global sports landscape,” said Greg Curchod, CEO of Burson Switzerland. “While mega-events remain crucial, this year’s findings highlight the increasing importance of strategic long-term planning, investment in diverse sports offerings, particularly women’s sports, and the innovative application of technology like AI to enhance a city’s sports reputation and engagement.”
Each year, the five lowest-ranked cities are replaced by emerging destinations. For 2026, new entries will include Oklahoma City, Orlando, Ahmedabad, Dublin and Geneva. Their inclusion reflects both rising international ambitions and the expanding influence of sports tourism worldwide.
As the 2025 ranking shows, global sports prominence depends not only on hosting major events but also on maintaining long-term strategies, diversifying offerings and embracing innovation. Cities that adapt to these shifts are positioned to strengthen their global visibility and attract tourism in the years ahead.
Photo Credit: William Perugini / Shutterstock.com
