Joburg has hosted a FIFA World Cup final and a Rugby World Cup final. Image: Daniella Pimstein
Two SA cities make list for World’s Top 100 ‘sportiest’ cities
In search of the city with the strongest association to sport, a recent index was published listing the world’s top 100 sports cities.
Joburg has hosted a FIFA World Cup final and a Rugby World Cup final. Image: Daniella Pimstein
The sports practice of a leading global communications agency has presented its 2023 Ranking of Sport Cities, using a combination of perception-based analysis and in-depth quantitative analysis.
A more inclusive list
For the first time, this annual ranking lists the top 100 cities worldwide instead of the usual 50.
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The ranking is based on the views of International Federations (IFs) and sports industry experts, combined with an analysis of the association between sport and a city in the digital space. This digital analysis consisted of the total number of mentions of the word “sport” associated with the city’s name on social media platforms.
One year before the Summer Olympic Games, Paris jumped to the top of the ranking, just ahead of Los Angeles, the 2028 host. London secured its position in the top three, while New York is fourth. Manchester joins the top five cities club. Last year’s winner, Tokyo, drops seven ranks.
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Strong links to the Olympics, FIFA, or major professional sports leagues remain one of the most successful strategies for cities to establish themselves as
prestigious sports destinations, fueling their reputation on the global stage.
It is seen as a reputation that takes time to build and needs to be nurtured well before hosting major events.
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Cape Town versus Joburg – which is ‘sportier’?
This year Cape Town and Johannesburg made it onto the list for the first time since it was extended from 50 to 100. Cape Town came in at 62, while Joburg creeps in at 95th position.
South Africa is no stranger to prestigious sports events. The country has had the unique opportunity to host a World Cup in three different sporting codes – football, rugby and cricket.
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Big brand connections played a major role in the ranking criteria. Cities like New York (4th), home to the iconic Yankees, and Manchester (5th), with its renowned football clubs, exemplify how strong sports franchises can fuel a city’s position as an internationally-perceived strong sports city.
The anticipation, excitement and preparation leading up to an event hosted by the city are also crucial elements in capturing the world’s attention and establishing a city’s prominence. For example, Paris ranks first in the 2023 Sports Cities ranking despite not hosting the Olympic Games yet.
