The Best Sports Cities in America
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 29 November 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
Sporting Capital of the United States
The USA is a sports-obsessed nation, but of its thousands of towns and cities, only a select few can claim to be the best sports cities in America. These sporting capitals are host to fiercely proud fans of their local teams, with rich sporting cultures and intense rivalries adding to their flair. In this article, we’ve looked at what the unofficial sporting capitals of the nation are, with details on their top stadiums, teams, and other interesting facts provided.
What is the Best Sports City in the USA?
The United States is home to some of the most passionate sports fans on Earth. Cities like Boston, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles have deeply ingrained sporting cultures, with local teams having a huge impact on the city’s culture. To get this article started, we’ve described what makes a best sports city.
We’ve then assessed the top cities based on factors like the number of teams, total championship wins, local TV ratings, home attendance ratings, and fan culture. You can jump to each city by using the following buttons or keep scrolling to discover them all.
- What Makes a Top Sports City
- Sporting Capital USA: Boston
- New York: The City That Never Sleeps and Always Plays
- Los Angeles: The Sports Capital of the World
- Chicago: The Windy City of Sports
- Pittsburgh: Huge NFL Presence
- Philadelphia: The Most Passionate Fans
What Makes a Best Sports City in America
While sports is a deeply ingrained part of the American identity, not all locations can lay claim to being a top sporting city. We created our shortlist by assessing the size and passion of its local sporting fanbase. These cities tend to have a thriving pre-game party culture, and the success of local teams often has a tangible impact on the atmosphere in the city.
The versatility of sporting infrastructure is also important. Each sporting capital of the United States should have plenty of stadiums that aren’t just hosts of games but also sources of pride. Another essential element is the economic impact of sports on the city, with local restaurants, bars, and memorabilia stores catering to locals and tourists in droves. To get things started, we’ve looked at Boston.
Sporting Capital USA: Boston
With 8 major pro teams, 38 championships, and a reputation for being completely sports-obsessed, Boston has earned its claim as the sporting capital of the US. There’s tons of sports action to be found at Boston’s stadiums. Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox since 1912, is an international icon, while the Boston Garden hosted both Bruins and Celtics games for nearly 70 years.
While Boston’s teams were unable to win titles for many decades, it’s a different story today. Several local teams have been dominating for the past twenty years, winning 12 championships since 2001. Popular and successful teams include the Patriots (NFL), the Bruins (NHL), the Red Sox (MLB), and the Celtics (NBA).
Boston ranks near the top of the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL in home attendance percentages year after year. Boston’s fans are also known for being some of the most passionate in the US. Fans are either embraced or loathed by the rest of the nation, and the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry can cause near-fanatic debates. There is little doubt that Boston is among the best sports cities in America.
New York: The City That Never Sleeps and Always Plays
Of course, an argument could be made that NYC is the best sports city by sheer number of teams alone. The Big Apple boasts nine major pro teams across the major leagues. There are the New York Yankees in MLB, the Knicks in the NBA, the Giants and the Jets in the NFL, and the Rangers in hockey to name just a few.
The city is home to some of the most well-known stadiums, the most iconic of which is Yankee Stadium. For many it’s not just a baseball field; it’s a historical monument, with Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, and countless other legends making their mark there. Across the bridge is Citi Field, where the Mets offer a different flavor of baseball.
The Madison Square Garden has hosted iconic boxing matches, legendary basketball games, and ice hockey, with the Knicks and Rangers calling the stadium home. The MetLife stadium hosts the Giants and Jets, and while this is technically in New Jersey, it’s still claimed by New Yorkers.
These teams are often partnered with online sportsbooks in New York to provide accurate odds and special promotions for fans. Other major events include the New York Marathon and the US Open Tennis Championship.
Los Angeles: The Sports Capital of the World
The best sports city in America on the West Coast is undoubtedly Los Angeles. It hosts eight major pro teams, including the recent addition of LAFC in soccer. Perhaps its most beloved franchise is the Lakers of the NBA, though the Clippers remain an underdog favorite. Both teams share the Staples Center.
The Lakers, with their 17 NBA championships and celebrity attendees are intertwined with the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. Over in baseball, Dodger Stadium hosts the MLB’s Dodgers, while the NFL’s state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium hosts the Rams and Chargers. With the city set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and 2026 FIFA World Cup games, it’s got huge international appeal, too.
Visitors at games can expect celebrity sightings, high-end dining options, and, of course, traffic jams. But while the live LA sports scene won’t appeal to everyone, the fanbase remains solid. Viewership for games attracts millions of spectators at home and around the world.
Chicago: The Windy City of Sports
In Chicago, sports are, to many, a way of life. With teams in each of the major pro leagues, there’s always some action to catch. It is here that Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the ’90s and where Wrigley Field has inspired Cubs MLB fans since 1914.
On the South Side, the Guaranteed Rate Field hosts the White Sox. NFL fans can catch one of the league’s oldest teams, the Bears, at Soldier Field. These games can be especially crowded, especially when they’re paired against fierce rivals the Green Bay Packers. The NBA’s treasured Bulls are a source of civic pride, and Chicago also occasionally hosts All-Star NBA games.
The Blackhawks, one of the Original Six NHL teams, have their home at the United Center, with recent Stanley Cup wins in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Soccer too continues to captivate the city, with the Chicago Fire earning new fans every year. This is among the best sports cities in America when it comes to historical traditions.
Pittsburgh: Huge NFL Presence
Despite being much smaller than the other cities on this list, Pittsburgh has emerged as a best sports city in America due to its passionate fans and rich sports history. The city has three major pro teams: the Steelers in football, the Pirates in baseball, and the Penguins in hockey.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ presence is a key part of the city’s identity. With six Super Bowl titles, they’ve set a standard for excellence in the NFL at their home turf of Heinz Field. In baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates have won five MLB World Series titles over their history, and PNC Park has one of the most beautiful locations in the league.
Of all the teams, the NHL’s Penguins are perhaps the biggest source of civic pride in Pittsburgh, having won five Stanley Cups and frequently topping the league leaderboard. The Penguins’ PPG Paints Arena is often seen as one of the most intimidating venues in the US due to the fan presence, which speaks volumes about the city.
Philadelphia: Most Passionate Fans
And last on this list of the best sports cities in America, we couldn’t look past Philadelphia. At the Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles generate incredible fan energy. Phillies fans flock to Citizens Bank Park during baseball season, especially when rivals such as the New York Mets are playing.
In the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers play at the Wells Fargo Center, continuing their deep basketball legacy. It also hosts the Philadelphia Flyers, whose devoted hockey fan base shows up in full force to support their team. What binds all teams together is the fans, with Philly’s sporting culture entwined in its civic identity.
