The World’s Most Athletic Cities in 2026: Italy Also Ranked

There is a new number one among the world capitals of sport. We are talking about New York, which in 2026 leads the Sports Cities Ranking compiled by the international communications agency Burson, snatching the crown from Paris, which had topped for three consecutive years.

Now in its fifteenth edition, the ranking identifies the 100 cities worldwide with the strongest ties to sport, cross-referencing perception and data. It takes into account the judgments of international sports leaders, industry media, and experts, but also how much these topics are discussed on social media and in the press. The result is a snapshot of how cities build visibility and influence through matches, competitions, and major events.

And Italy? Four Italian cities appear in the top 100, with Milan still among the top ten.

New York Leads the Rankings

For New York, it has been a memorable year: the Knicks clinched the NBA title and the New York New Jersey Stadium hosted the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, placing the city at the center of global attention. But the top spot does not depend solely on these events. The strength of the Big Apple lies in a sports calendar that never stops, featuring major professional franchises, international fixtures, and constant media attention. For visitors, watching a game at the Madison Square Garden is an experience worth bookmarking as much as a stroll through Central Park.

The Italian Cities in the Rankings

The best among the Italians is Milan, which rises from 9th to 7th place and solidifies its presence in the top 10. The ranking highlights the city’s steady growth, because compared to 2024 the Lombard capital has gained as many as 20 places, largely thanks to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

However the sharpest jump is made by Cortina d’Ampezzo, which reaches the 37th position with 10 places gained in a year and 45 compared to 2024. Co-hosting the Olympics has transformed the famous Alpine resort into an internationally recognized sports city.

Then we find Rome at 21st place, strong in a sporting heritage that spans from the Olympic Stadium to the Foro Italico, and Turin, which in recent years has linked its name to the world of tennis, thus ranking 75th.

Sports Cities Ranking: The Top 10

Looking at the rest of the ranking, a few interesting trends emerge. Big events, for example, no longer reward only the main city, but all the venues involved: besides Cortina, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco and Vancouver, which after hosting World Cup 2026 matches climbed between 9 and 14 places.

Being famous, then, is not enough. Washington, Miami and Mexico City are widely known by the general public, while Lausanne and Monaco owe their solid placements mainly to the esteem of federations and experts: popularity can be fleeting, but reputation is built over the years.

To grow, moreover, you don’t necessarily need a mega-event (though it helps). Zurich gained 21 places regardless of the schedule, while Geneva entered the rankings for the first time thanks to the 2025 Women’s European Championship, and Innsbruck rose thanks to sport climbing, with Shanghai owed its growth to eSports.

Here is the top 10:

1. New York, United States of America;
2. Paris, France;
3. Los Angeles, United States of America;
4. London, United Kingdom;
5. Madrid, Spain;
6. Barcelona, Spain;
7. Milan, Italy;
8. Lausanne, Switzerland;
9. Monaco, Germany;
10. Manchester, United Kingdom.