The United States is a take-action kind of country. We don't just go out in the great outdoors, we conquer it. We don't just root for our sports teams, we take to the streets when they win. And we don't just "pursue leisure activities," we hike, bike, swim, surf, scale, kayak, zip-line, and occasionally even heli-ski.
This is the spirit behind our most recent analysis in Metrogrades, our research-backed ranking of America's 100 top cities based on a careful selection of criteria.
See where your city ranks—and then get out there.
Sportiest City #1: Austin, TX
Austin may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of high level athletics. In fact, as the 14th-most populous city in the US, Austin is the only one in those 14 without at least one major professional sports team (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL). But, don’t let that fool you; this city lives and breathes sports. Take the University of Texas Longhorns. The school’s 45 national team titles rank sixth all-time among Division-1 universities. Off campus, the city has plenty of other athletic options, too. Austin-Round Rock was once ranked the best city for golf in America by Golf.com, probably because of its perfect climate, high-quality courses and affordable options. Austin's new Circuit of The AmericasTM (COTA) is exciting race fans as the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the U.S. This state-of-the-art 3.4-mile circuit track hosts some of the most coveted racing events in the world, such as the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, and Lone Star Le Mans.
Sportiest City #2: Anchorage, AK
Each year, the first Saturday of March in Anchorage is marked by the ceremonial start to the Iditarod dog sled race, in which teams compete against each other and Mother Nature. While Iditarod has basically become synonymous with the sport of dog sled racing, Anchorage has more to offer than just niche sports. Anchorage’s winter climate makes it an ideal place for other winter sports such as skiing (both cross-country and downhill), ice skating and hockey. Plus, the city is home to the Anchorage Bucs, a 501-c non-profit summer collegiate baseball club containing players from major universities throughout the United States, the Anchorage Glacier Pilots baseball club, the Rage City Roller Girls, as well as the Tour of Anchorage point-to-point cross-country ski marathon race.
Sportiest City #3: Raleigh, NC
In 1997, the Hartford Whalers left Connecticut and gave Raleigh its first and only major professional sports team, the Carolina Hurricanes. The franchise rewarded the city with a Stanley Cup title during the 2005-06 season. Aside from hockey, North Carolina State University provides Raleigh with other competitive teams to root for, as well. But, Raleigh is far from a bunch of spectators; they’re doers. With 6.1 basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, Raleigh has the seventh-most basketball hoops per capita in the country. Its 1.9 recreation and senior centers per 20,000 residents is also a top-10 mark in the US.
Sportiest City #4: Madison, WI
Like another other city on this list, Madison earns its reputation as a sports city based on its local college, the University of Wisconsin. In 2009, Forbes ranked Madison as the third best college sports city in the country, and since then the school has only added to its legacy, including back-to-back Final Four runs in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament in 2014 and 2015. Maybe you can attribute that success to Madison’s 10.2 basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, which is tied for the most basketball hoops in the country. Also, the city’s 7.4 playgrounds per 10,000 residents is far and away the highest mark in the country.
Sportiest City #5: Minneapolis, MN
If you include its twin city, St. Paul, Minneapolis is the first city on the list to have all four major professional sports teams: Timberwolves, Twins, Vikings, and Wild. But, it's actually their WNBA squad, the Lynx, that has had the some of the best success, winning championships in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Minneapolis is full of amateur athletes, too. Ninety-seven percent of the city’s population lives within a ten minute walk from a park, and The Trust for Public Land ranked Minneapolis number one in 2017’S “ParkScore,” which measures how well the 100 largest U.S. cities meet their residents needs for parks.
Sportiest City #6: Washington, DC
The last time a major sports team from our nation’s capital won a championship was 1992, so you’d be forgiven for thinking D.C. is not much of a sports town. However, when you factor in the city’s fandom plus the active lifestyles of its residents, Washington belongs on the list. For one, the local government spends $269.98 per D.C. resident on parks and recreation-related expenses.That is the third-highest dollar amount per capita in the country. Washington also hosts many annual sporting events including two marathons (the Marine Corps Marathon and the Rock ‘N Roll Marathon and an ATP tennis tournament, the Citi Open tennis classic.
Sportiest City #7: Plano, TX
Even the parks are bigger in Texas. At 13.3 acres, Plano’s median park size is top-five in the country. As of 2015, Plano was home to 4,231 acres of parkland, which came out to 15.4 acres per 1,000 residents. You’ll need all that space if you want to practice your bow and arrow skills at the Texans Archery Club & Texas Archery Academy. Or, stay off the beaten path by heading to Russell Creek Park and trying your hand at cricket.
Sportiest City #8: Seattle, WA
Seattle boasts a notoriously raucous fan base as evidenced by the time Seahawks fans produced a minor earthquake with their roar. The city treats its residents well for their effort, too. No city pays more money per resident on park-related expenses, shelling out about $279 per resident. Seattle Mariners also have a collection of milestones including four Baseball Hall of Fame inductees; Randy Johnson’s 1990 no-hitter, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. playing on the same roster, a 1995 AL West title, and more. MLS soccer team the Seattle Sounders FC has been breaking attendance records, as well. The Sounders stack up well on an international level, with the highest average attendance in MLS every year since 2009. Between all the biking, kayaking, and running available to Seattle-ites, they should keep busy until their beloved NBA franchise may one day return.
Active City Guide— Seattle:
Sportiest City #9: Denver, CO
Another city with all four major sports franchises, Denver last won a title when the Broncos captured the Super Bowl in 2016 over the Carolina Panthers. Away from the gridiron, Denver has some solid sports credentials too, boasting nearly 20,000 acres of city parks and mountain land. That includes 60,000 square feet of skateable pavement at Denver Skatepark. You can also head to Red Rocks Park for some hiking and biking during the day. Afterwards, catch some tunes at the park’s famous concert venue.
Sportiest City #10: Virginia Beach, VA
Go extreme at Virginia Beach: from surfing at Sandbridge Beach to skateboarding at Mount Trashmore skate park (a park built on a converted landfill and partially constructed with reused materials), which contains a 24,000 square foot street course. If you’re feeling a little less adventurous, there are more laid back sports too. Golfing at one of the many Virginia Beach courses or freshwater fishing at Stumpy Lake are two ways to leisurely spend some outdoor time. If you’d rather, take advantage of Virginia Beach’s more than 100 miles of biking and walking trails.
