Paris tops BCW 2023 Ranking of Sports CitiesJuly 11, 2023

Today, BCW, a leading global communications agency, unveiled its highly anticipated 2023 Ranking of Sports Cities. With one year remaining before the Summer Olympic Games, Paris has surged to claim the top spot in the ranking, closely followed by Los Angeles, the host city for 2028. London secures its position in the top three, while New York sits at fourth place. Joining the prestigious top five cities club is Manchester.

The BCW Ranking of Sports Cities has expanded to include the top 100 cities, an increase of 50 cities, from around the world that are most closely associated with sports.

This year's Ranking once again reaffirms the trend that forging partnerships with renowned sports brands, such as the Olympics, FIFA, and major professional leagues, is the ultimate game-changer for cities aiming to enhance their association with sports. The top three cities — Paris (Rank 1), Los Angeles (Rank 2), and London (Rank 3) — have either recently hosted or are set to host the Olympic Games. Cities like New York (Rank 4), home to the iconic Yankees, and Manchester (Rank 5), with its renowned football clubs, exemplify how strong sports franchises can elevate a city's international perception as a strong sports city.

The results also underline that the path to victory lies in seizing the moment before major events rather than after. Brisbane's remarkable debut at the 15th position; nine years ahead of the scheduled Games, offers the city unique opportunities to communicate its sporting prowess to the world. Maintaining a prominent position requires continuous effort and innovation, as evidenced by Tokyo's drop of seven ranks within a year, and the decline of Rio de Janeiro to 74th place.

Building a reputation as a top sports city is a marathon, not a sprint. The cities that reign supreme in the rankings are those that embarked on this journey long ago, integrating sports into their strategies and culture. Among the top 25 cities, only a handful of relatively new players have established themselves. Doha (Rank 11), Dubai (Rank 19), and Abu Dhabi (Rank 21) have managed to make their mark in a relatively short period of time.

The full 2023 Ranking can be found here.

Lars Haue-Pedersen, Managing Director, BCW Sports, stated: "We are thrilled to announce the unveiling of BCW's highly anticipated 2023 Ranking of Sports Cities. This year's ranking reveals that there are no quick fixes or shortcuts to success. The top-ranked cities are those that have integrated sports events into their strategies, capturing the public's attention well in advance of their events and forging partnerships with the biggest sports brands. The extensive work invested in this annual ranking is a proof to our commitment to the industry, and we are delighted to contribute to the ongoing discussion on how sports events play a vital role in enhancing a city's global perception."

About the BCW Ranking of Sports Cities

The annual BCW Ranking of Sports Cities evaluates top 100 sports cities from around the world based on a quantitative digital footprint analysis of the association between sport and a city (weighting 50 percent), combined with the perception-based views of leaders of International Sports Federations (25 percent) and major international sports media (25 percent).

Contact:

Stefany Chatelain-Cardenas, BCW Sports, email: [email protected], phone: +41 21 313 23 00