12 Best Sports Cities in the World: From Football to Fútbol
For centuries, across every stretch of the globe, sports have been a critical part of the human experience. Families bond over shared fandoms and visits to ballparks, arenas, and stadiums. Children idolize their sports heroes, wearing their jerseys, collecting their cards, and practicing their moves at home. And, of course, cities rally around their teams and clubs, molding their identities and intertwining so that cities and sports become linked forever.
Below, we’re going to travel the globe and look at 12 of the top cities for sports. Whether it’s unparalleled success, impressively dedicated fanbases, or the best places to watch (or bet on) a game, each of these cities has a special link to sports.
Best Cities for Sports Around the World
Barcelona
FC Barcelona is one of the most decorated teams in the history of Spain’s La Liga. Soccer legends like Diego Maradona, Neymar, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi have all competed for this club and brought glory to its dedicated fanbase. However, Barcelona is more than just a soccer city. Home to the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona helped introduce the Dream Team and bring basketball to the global level. The rise of European basketball can be directly linked back to the summer of ‘92 and Barcelona.
Boston
No city has experienced more professional sports success in the 21st century than Boston. Since 2001, the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins have combined for 12 championships and Boston is the only city to win championships in each major sport over that span. Icons like Tom Brady and David Ortiz highlight this era of Boston sports, but championships are nothing new to the city. The four major professional teams have won 38 titles and made household names out of legends like Bill Russell, Ted Williams, Larry Bird, and Bobby Orr. Home to several colleges, Boston is also a great city for college basketball, football, and many other collegiate sports.
Las Vegas
Not only can you watch great sports in Vegas (with more teams coming soon), you can also wager on the games in person. Las Vegas is currently home to the NFL’s Raiders and the NHL’s Golden Knights and there are rumors of the Oakland Athletics relocating to Vegas and an NBA expansion team joining the city. Las Vegas is also known for hosting some of the biggest boxing and UFC matches.
Of course, Vegas is home to some of the world’s best sportsbooks, including the largest sportsbook in the world at the Circa Sports Sportsbook that brings in sports enthusiasts from all around the world. If you’re looking for a truly unique sports experience in Vegas, you can’t miss Stadium Swim®, a pool amphitheater playing sports on its 143-foot screen all year long.
As the city’s sports presence grows, it will continue to be a hub for fans and bettors alike.
London
You can’t mention London without thinking about soccer (or football for our readers across the pond). Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, and Tottenham all play in or near the city, making it the main hub of English soccer. London has also hosted the Summer Olympics three times and is home to Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world. Outside of soccer and tennis, London boasts bustling cricket, rugby, boxing, and basketball scenes as well.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles professional sports teams have won 33 championships, with the Lakers of course leading the way. With multiple basketball, football, baseball, and soccer teams, LA is an active sports city with teams to appeal to any fan. Outside of professional sports, the beautiful weather also makes LA a hub of outdoor sports and activity with professional and amateur surfing and skateboarding competitions as well as impromptu pickup basketball, volleyball, and soccer games occurring all across the city at any given time.
Manchester
Manchester is home to two of the Premier League’s top teams in Manchester United and Manchester City. Both clubs have had success and outright dominance over the years creating a healthy rivalry that pulsates throughout the city. Manchester was also the host city for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and built many new sporting facilities for the games, including the City of Manchester Stadium, the Manchester Velodrome, the National Squash Centre and the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Melbourne
As a sports city, Melbourne is best known as the home of the Australian Open, which marks the first Grand Slam tournament of the season for professional tennis players. It begins in the middle of January each year and might be best known for its blue courts throughout the tournament. However, Melbourne has more than just tennis. Melbourne is close to many surfing beaches and many Melbourne residents cheer on their favorite basketball, Australian Rules Football, cricket, netball, and rugby teams.
New York City
New York City has 11 major league sports franchises, and it’s no surprise that it has the most championships of any US city with 65. The most populous city in the country, New York has also produced Hall of Fame-caliber players in every sport imaginable. Walk down any street in the city and you’ll see and hear people playing sports and arguing about their beloved teams. With its incredible diversity, New York City is also home to sports fans from all over the world, watching and following their favorite teams at any time of the day.
San Francisco
When you think of modern basketball, you think of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and the Golden State Warriors. In 2019, the Warriors moved across the Bay from Oakland to San Francisco in 2019 and have since brought the city a championship in 2022. But the Warriors aren’t the only ones in San Francisco. The city is also home to the Giants and the 49ers, and both teams have had their share of success. In fact, many people argue there’s no better place to see a baseball game than at Oracle Park.
Texas
We couldn’t pick just one city to represent Texas and its love of football. From Friday night high school games under the lights to Saturday college games and Sundays spent cheering for the Cowboys and Texans, the whole state is football obsessed. Travel to Houston, Dallas, San Antonio or any other city and you’ll see just how much the state loves its gridiron teams as well as the Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets, Astros, Rangers, and Stars.
Tokyo
Baseball might be America’s pastime, but Tokyo gives it a run for its money. With five professional teams in the Tokyo metro area, fans flock to watch overpowering strikeouts, soaring home runs, and dazzling web gems. Tokyo is the place to watch young talented players show off their skills before heading to the MLB as players like Shohei Ohtani, Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, and Yu Darvish have all played games for one of Tokyo’s clubs or against them.
Rio de Janeiro
There’s nothing quite like soccer in South America and no one loves their soccer more than Brazilians. The Brazil National Team has won five World Cups and helped some of the sport’s most iconic superstars reach worldwide celebrity status. Five professional clubs play in Rio de Janeiro and soccer has a devoted year round following. However, the city is also a hub for surfing, volleyball, and a whole host of other sports.
Sports: Local Pride with Global Enjoyment
The appeal of sports is universal, as different cities around the country and the world can attest. No matter how many championships or titles teams bring home, their cities will always love them.
No matter which sports, teams, or cities you’re cheering for, Circa Sports is the ultimate sportsbook if you’re in Las Vegas for some sports betting or viewing. Stop by Circa Resort, the D, or one of the other Circa Sports locations in Nevada to place your bets in person. Can’t make it into the sportsbook? Download the Circa Sports app on iOS or Android to have your bookie right in your pocket. With the Circa Sports app, you can also sign up in Illinois, Colorado, Iowa, and soon, Kentucky.
Whether in person or on the app, join Circa Sports for your premier place to bet on sports in Vegas.
