Houston is the top-ranked sports city in Texas, No. 10 among U.S. cities, and ranked as the 32nd-best sports city across the entire globe, according to Burson’s 2026 Ranking of Sports Cities.
Houston climbed nine spots in the latest global rankings, cementing its position as one of the world’s premier sports destinations.
The annual ranking, now in its 15th edition, ranks the top 100 cities globally “based on both perception and in-depth quantitative analysis, including feedback from international sports leaders, sports media representatives and industry experts, as well as social media and media coverage analytics,” Burson states.
The ranking covered the period from July 2025 through June 2026, which represented a transformative period for Houston sports. In addition to championship-caliber professional franchises and collegiate programs that fill Houston’s sports schedule each month, that period was headlined by major sporting events such as FIFA World Cup 26™, the World Baseball Classic, NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional, CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, and AAU Junior Olympic Games.
However, the Ranking of Sports Cities evaluates the year-round sports landscape, and one of Houston’s hallmarks is the broad, diverse, and well-executed sports calendar that the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority helps deliver annually for the region.
Houston’s rise and rankings reflect the strength of its broader sports ecosystem, including its professional and collegiate teams, ability to host top-tier events, world-class venues, and passionate fans throughout the region. Houston pairs the visibility of hosting sporting events at every size and scale with the credibility built through strong industry and stakeholder relationships.
One additional key finding from the ranking is the reputational boost cities receive by identifying and hosting events across women’s sports and emerging disciplines. From September through the end of 2026, Houston will host the CONCACAF W Championship Final and Third-Place match, NCR Men’s and Women’s XVs Championships in rugby, and ITTF Americas U11 & U13 Championships. Recently, the HCHSA secured the bid for the 2030 World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships, the premier athletic and track and field championship for athletes ages 35 and older.
Houston’s place toward the top of the rankings reflects a sports calendar deep and diverse enough to remain in the global conversation every month of the year, and the high regard the industry holds for the city and its sports leaders.
