What is the Sports Capital of the World?

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 08 December 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Sports Capital of the World

• World Sporting Capital
• Sporting Capital of the World: Starting with London
• Paris: More Than Romance
• Tokyo’s Olympic Legacy
• NYC: More Than the Big Apple
• Rio’s Samba and Soccer
• Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to today’s blog, where we look at the sports capitals of the world. From iconic stadiums to historic wins, every city featured today has a long history of sport – and we’ll look at what makes each city such a notable name on the list of world sporting capital contenders! So, without further ado, let’s get started!

World Sporting Capital

Being dubbed the “World Sporting Capital,” is a prestigious title that only a few cities in the world can claim. It’s reserved for cities where sports are etched into everyday life, history, and culture – and all these capitals offer world-class venues, host mega-events, and are hotspots for both fans and aspiring athletes.

In this blog, we will explore the sporting capital of the world list – and while these cities are presented in no particular order, there are some names you may agree with more than others – so, let’s get started!

Sporting Capital of the World: Starting with London

London is one of the world’s great sporting capitals, with a rich history and culture around sports. Soccer is London’s most popular sport. London is home to several major soccer clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. These clubs have huge local and international followings and compete in leagues like the Premier League and Champions League. London also hosted the 1966 FIFA World Cup final at the old Wembley Stadium.

Other major sports in London include rugby, tennis, cricket, athletics, boxing, and horse racing. Twickenham Stadium hosts England’s national rugby team and events like the Rugby World Cup. Wimbledon is one of tennis’ most prestigious tournaments and is held just outside London. Lord’s Cricket Ground hosts England cricket matches.

Major marathons like the London Marathon also attract many participants and fans, and far more viewers – and the London Marathon is one of the most famous in the world, passing by many of the city’s historic landmarks. Iconic venues like Wembley, the O2 Arena and ExCel London host everything from concerts to Olympic events.

While soccer is the most popular sport, many Londoners participate in casual sports like cycling, running, swimming, and rowing, too. The city has invested millions of dollars in its parks and waterways, making it easy for residents to partake in numerous sporting activities like these – so it’s not just about professional athletes competing here!

Paris: More Than Romance

Paris is often renowned more for its art, fashion, and cuisine, but the French capital is also steeped in sporting history and culture. Soccer is the most popular sport in Paris, and the city’s biggest club, Paris Saint-Germain, has become a major player in recent years. Its world-class squad plays at the iconic Parc des Princes stadium, and the city has a rich history with soccer; it hosted matches during the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016 tournaments.

Tennis is another top sport in Paris. The French Open is held annually at the Stade Roland Garros. Cycling is also huge, as the final stage of the Tour de France concludes along the famous Champs-Élysées, while the Olympics will soon come to the city, with Paris scheduled to host the 2024 summer extravaganza. Other notable events include the Paris Marathon and the French Open golf tournament.

Tokyo’s Olympic Legacy

As the world’s largest metropolitan area, Tokyo is a dynamic hub and the undisputed sporting capital of Asia. The city has hosted major global events like the 2020 Summer Olympics, and this event utilized state-of-the-art facilities like the New National Stadium and Ariake Arena. Aside from the Olympics, however, Tokyo has always had a strong sporting culture that’s heavily integrated into everyday life.

Baseball is Tokyo’s most popular sport, so forget about sumo wrestling when you visit Tokyo; it’s baseball you’ll want to watch! Tokyo is home to two professional baseball teams – the Yomiuri Giants and Tokyo Yakult Swallows – who play in iconic domed stadiums.

Now, while we just talked about how sumo wrestling isn’t as popular as you might think, the sport is still based in Tokyo, with several tournaments held each year. Then, you’ve got horse racing, with Tokyo Racecourse hosting elite horse racing events including the Japan Cup each year. Some other prominent sports include soccer, martial arts, golf and motor racing.

In terms of non-professional sports, cycling and running are hugely popular along the city streets – and despite its size, Tokyo is one of the most urban-friendly cities in the world, making it ideal for residents wanting to exercise locally and play casual sports. Whether it’s the city’s cycling tracks or badminton courts on every block, there’s always space to play sports – and residents don’t hold back in taking advantage of this!

NYC: More Than the Big Apple

New York City is arguably one of the most well-known sporting capitals of the world, and it’s a hugely popular sporting hub for sports fans and athletes alike. From baseball’s Yankee Stadium to the hard courts of the US Open, NYC offers something for pretty much every sports fan in the world – and the atmosphere surrounding matches and events in the city is, according to most, unmatched.

Yankee Stadium, found right in the heart of the Bronx, is a religious ground for baseball enthusiasts. Here, fans can watch some of the best baseball players in the world, as the New York Yankees aim for another home run. On the other hand, the US Open, held in Flushing Meadows, Queens, showcases the world’s top tennis talent battling it out on hard courts.

As mentioned, the atmosphere surrounding NYC’s sporting events is also unmatched; on pretty much every street corner you can find fans watching games in restaurants, bars, and cafes – and whether they’re cheering for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden or supporting the Giants at MetLife Stadium (which is actually just outside the city, in New Jersey), you’ll hear applause, roars – and moans – as the games play out!

Today, there are also many online sportsbooks in New York – making it easier than ever for punters like you to bet on sporting events in, what many call, the true sporting capital of the world! And, to finish off this section, here’s a look at a few interesting facts about sports in New York City!

Rio’s Samba and Soccer

Shifting the spotlight to Rio de Janeiro, you’ll probably find yourself imagining beaches and samba! However, Rio’s culture is, historically, very sports-orientated – and the city’s culture and identity are deeply rooted in many of these sports.

As the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio cemented its place on the global sports stage, unveiling world-class venues that welcomed athletes and fans from around the globe. The Olympics were a transformative event for Rio, bringing about infrastructure improvements and putting the city in the international sports limelight. The legacy of the Games continues as the Olympic facilities are used for local and international competitions, helping to create a new generation of sports enthusiasts.

However, even long before the Olympics, Rio had a rich sports heritage, especially with soccer, thanks to the Maracanã Stadium; it holds an iconic status with soccer fans, not just in Brazil, but in countries around the world, too.

The city’s teams, such as Flamengo and Fluminense, are important ‘hubs’ for locals, too. The rivalry between them is fierce, and the Fla-Flu derby is even considered to be one of the most heated soccer rivalries in the entire world!