Boston ranks second for sports towns among large cities across U.S, study finds

Boston point guard Payton Pritchard celebrates with teammates and fans after sinking a buzzer-beating three-pointer during this year's playoffs. (Courtesy photo)

With inflation making supporting your favorite sports teams more expensive, the personal-finance website WalletHub recently released its report on the Best Sports Cities in 2024 to help fans get the most bang for their buck while enjoying games they love.

WalletHub compared 400 cities across more than 50 key metrics related to the five largest sports in the U.S.: football, baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey.

To view the full report and your city's rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-sports-cities/15179



"Sports can cause rivalries between cities, but can also give people a deep appreciation for places other than their hometown. The best sports cities overall tend to be those with the highest-performing, most-popular professional teams, like Los Angeles, Boston, Pittsburgh and New York. When you filter by city size, though, there are a ton of amazing local sports scenes to discover. For example, Green Bay, WI, is a midsize city with one of the richest football cultures in America, and Clemson, SC, is a small city with high-level, affordable games across multiple sports at the collegiate level."
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"Los Angeles tops the list of the best sports cities this year because of its strong appreciation for all types of sports, numerous professional teams, and proximity to iconic stadiums and arenas. The City of Angels ranks as the best city for basketball fans, in large part due to the monumental success of the Lakers and the abundance and affordability of Division 1 college basketball. It's also number one for soccer fans, as the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC have brought the city more MLS Cup titles than any other. Finally, L.A. ranks second among the best baseball cities and fourth best for football fans."

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


Expert Commentary

What makes a good sports city?

"There is a variety of criteria that one can use to judge what constitutes a good sports city. The main criteria that I would look for in making this determination are the city having many sports teams and the people of the city being active fans of those teams. In a great sports city, the city's teams are a common point of discussion among the population. Additionally, in a great sports city, people care about and take pride in their teams and how the teams perform. It is not uncommon to see people actively wearing the clothing of the city's teams in a great sports city. Another factor that helps a city become a great sports city is when the city hosts major sporting events."
Daniel Gandert - Clinical Associate Professor, Northwestern University

"When we talk about sports, we are often talking about teams and players. Often though we are talking about fan bases. A city can become a great sports city if it is wholly devoted to its local teams, be they professional or lower tier. City residents can be inspired by or loyal to collegiate or even interscholastic athletic teams. These teams, at any level, offer spectators more than just competition; they create memories that resonate throughout the community, evolving into oft-told stories and one or two even become legends. The more victories, the more these stories proliferate. A good sports city is more than just a fan base watching local teams. Such a city becomes that way through community participation. Residents often play sports with their peers and neighbors, which requires both a sense of community and well-developed sports infrastructure. Additionally, a city cannot truly be considered a great sports city without inclusive sports programs that cater to diverse populations, including ethnic and disabled groups."
Kyu-soo Chung - Associate Professor, Kennesaw State University


To what extent do sports teams reflect the cities they call home?

"Sports teams can often become a part of the culture, branding, and identity of residents and cities. This is not always the case or necessarily going to happen with every sports franchise, but you can find examples where regional or state identity and a kind of pride in city culture are refracted through the sports team. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers are examples of teams forging an identity based on a rust belt, working-class mentality, where the fans are connected to the city and sports teams. The Golden Knights (VGK) rallied around the idea of being #VegasStrong in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas."
Dr. Benjamin Burroughs - Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

"Iconic sports teams, like the New York Yankees, exemplify the same type of values that the city does. In some cases, organizations like the Jacksonville Jaguars represent the potential that a city holds, while other sports teams, like the Green Bay Packers, help make the region significant all on their own."
Elizabeth A. Gregg, PhD - Professor, University of North Florida


What tips do you have for enjoying sports events without breaking a bank?

"Take public transportation. Buy season tickets. Tickets on secondary market sources are far more expensive. Plan ahead. It is typically the last-minute purchases that are most costly. Buying team merchandise before the game instead of in the stadium can lead to some savings if you shop around."
Dr. Nancy Lough - Professor; Co-Director, Sports Innovation Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

"Going to professional sports games can be costly. To save money, consider looking for discount nights, eating before the event, and arriving early to find free parking. Minor league and collegiate sports often provide a more affordable option, although this varies. Smaller college games, such as those in NCAA Division 2, 3, or NAIA leagues, tend to be much cheaper, but they may offer a different level of excitement and entertainment."
Dr. Brandon Allen - Assistant Teaching Professor; Director of Research for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, University of Southern Mississippi