Atlanta has claimed the top spot in Sports Business Journal’s (SBJ) annual Best Sports Business Cities™ rankings, edging out New York City, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Minneapolis-St. Paul in the fourth edition of the influential list. The definitive ranking evaluates more than 2,000 U.S. markets to influence strategic direction for sports business professionals across the United States.
The study measures opportunity, economic environment, industry sentiment, hiring potential, and long-term investment viability, drawing on data from dozens of sources and insights from nearly 120 sports business executives.
Why Atlanta Took the Crown
Atlanta’s rise to No. 1 reflects its unmatched combination of world-class properties. The city is home to four major-league teams (NFL’s Falcons, NBA’s Hawks, MLB’s Braves, and MLS’s Atlanta United), and will welcome an incoming NWSL expansion franchise in 2028. This is supported by a deeply integrated corporate base anchored by Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, and The Home Depot, alongside the highly regarded Atlanta Sports Council.
The market features industry-standard-setting venues and a blue-chip event roster, highlighted by eight 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, College Football Playoff National Championships, and a future Super Bowl. The city’s momentum is fueled by major organizations relocating their headquarters there, large-scale sports-anchored real estate developments, accelerating hotel construction, and a lower cost of doing business compared to coastal rivals.
“Sports Business Journal continues to recognize how deeply the sports industry fuels economic growth, innovation, and civic pride across the country. Atlanta’s rise to the No. 1 spot reflects the strength of its sports ecosystem, from world-class properties and events to a business environment strengthened by strong ownership, effective operations, and sustained investment.”
— Abe Madkour, Publisher and Executive Editor, SBJ
“This recognition is great acknowledgement of the business leaders who saw the vision early, the civic institutions that believe sports can be used not just as entertainment, but as a catalyst for economic development, and the public servants at all levels of government who understand when Atlanta moves forward together, there is no ceiling to what WE can achieve.”
— Arthur M. Blank, Owner and Chairman, The Blank Family of Businesses
Top 5 Best Sports Business Cities for 2026
Market size plays a massive role in sports business economics. Designated Market Area (DMA) rankings dictate television rights values and sponsor reach. Here is how the top 5 stack up:
1. Atlanta
DMA #7 (≈2.8M TV Households)
Offers significant national reach while maintaining a favorable corporate cost structure, creating the perfect storm for sustained sports business investment.
2. New York City
DMA #1 (≈7.5M TV Households)
Maintains its grip as the media capital. Its concentration of sports properties, top-tier sponsors, and media companies—bolstered by $4.1 billion in sports construction since 2018—remains unmatched in volume.
3. Indianapolis
DMA #25 (≈1.2M TV Households)
Stands out as the nation’s most prolific event-hosting market, pairing a centralized, walkable downtown footprint with a long-term pipeline of NCAA, NFL, Olympic trials, and major professional events.
4. Charlotte
DMA #21 (≈1.3M TV Households)
Generated the strongest net-positive executive sentiment in the study. Driven by rapid population growth, an expanding roster of sports properties, and a business ecosystem built for long-term opportunity (including SBJ’s own headquarters).
5. Minneapolis-St. Paul
DMA #15 (≈1.9M TV Households)
Anchored by premier facilities, deeply engaged fanbases, progressive corporate stakeholders, and steady, reliable event growth.