Greater Miami and Miami Beach Secures Top 10 Spot as a Global Sporting Capital
- Sebastian Sarrasin
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
We are very proud to announce that our client, Greater Miami and Miami Beach, has officially been ranked among the world’s top 10 sporting cities, achieving the 8th position in Burson’s 2025 Ranking of Sport Cities.
Rising from 16th in 2023, this leap underscores the destination’s growing influence as a premier year-round hub for international competition and reinforces its status as a global capital of sport.
Already host to world-renowned fixtures such as the Orange Bowl, Miami Open, Miami Marathon and Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, the region’s calendar has been further strengthened with the addition of five new annual global events: the PGA Tour Signature Event, E1 Power Boat Series, Formula E, Unrivalled Women’s Basketball, and the HYROX Fitness Festival. Following the successful staging of the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this year – and with FIFA World Cup 26™ on the horizon – Miami continues to attract events that deliver both powerful economic impact and international recognition.
The Burson Ranking evaluates 100 leading sports cities worldwide, using perception surveys, expert assessment, and monitoring across traditional and social media. Miami’s rise into the top 10 highlights the effectiveness of its strategic investment in major events and its positioning at the heart of the global sporting landscape.
“Over the past several years, we have deliberately invested in marketing, communications and partnerships to attract some of the world’s most iconic sporting events,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “This top 10 ranking reaffirms those efforts, showcasing not only the strength of our sporting partnerships but also how these events enhance the global brand of Greater Miami and Miami Beach.”
A Packed Calendar of World-Class Events
In the months ahead, Miami will stage an impressive line-up of elite competitions, including:
College Football National Championship and Play-Offs (January 2026)
1 January: Capital One Orange Bowl Quarter-Final
19 January: National Championship
NHL Winter Classic (2 January 2026)
Florida Panthers v New York Rangers at loanDepot park – Florida’s first outdoor NHL game
World Baseball Classic (6–17 March 2026)
Hosting every round, including the Championship Final
FIFA World Cup 26™ Matches (June–July 2026 at Miami Stadium)
Hosting seven matches, from group stage through to the Bronze Final
NASCAR Cup Series Championship (6–8 November 2026)
Culminating with the Championship Race
These events join Miami’s established annual fixtures, including the Miami Open, Miami Marathon, Bacardi Cup Regatta, Orange Bowl, Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and full seasons for the Miami HEAT, Dolphins, Marlins, and Inter Miami CF.
A Proven Track Record in Hosting
Miami’s pedigree as a world-class host is long-standing:
A record-equalling 11 Super Bowls hosted.
The only city to stage all rounds of the World Baseball Classic.
The Orange Bowl has been played in Miami since 1935, making it college football’s second-oldest bowl fixture.
Florida’s first-ever outdoor NHL game – hosted in an MLB stadium – epitomises Miami’s creativity and adaptability.
Beyond Sport: A Complete Visitor Experience
Through new sports tourism campaigns, the GMCVB encourages fans to extend their visits, combining elite sport with Miami’s broader cultural offering: from vibrant neighbourhoods and world-class gastronomy to beaches, art, and nightlife. Events are positioned as multi-day experiences that immerse visitors in the city’s distinctive lifestyle.
The Miami Beach Convention Centre also provides a premier venue for fitness, wellness and sports-related conferences, enhanced by the region’s year-round sunshine and outdoor-friendly environment.
Now ranked alongside Paris, Los Angeles, New York, London and Madrid in the global top 10, Greater Miami and Miami Beach is set to shine even brighter as the world looks ahead to FIFA World Cup 26™—delivering unforgettable experiences for fans, athletes and visitors alike.
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