Professor Liu Dongfeng, lead researcher of the index and Vice President of the International Association of Sports Economy, said the 2025 results reflect a broadly stable top tier dominated by Europe and the United States but also highlight the continued rise of Asia and, in particular, China. “Chinese cities are catching up steadily with five cities advancing into the global top 50,” he explained.

Global Rankings: Stability at the Top, Shifts Beneath

Following Paris, the top five positions in the 2025 GSCI are completed by Los Angeles, London, New York, and Tokyo, underlining the dominance of long-established global sports markets.

The index evaluates cities according to four primary criteria:

• Historical achievements in professional sport and major event hosting
• Influence of major international and brand events held in 2024
• Sports-related media exposure generated in 2024
• Performance of top professional clubs during the 2023–24 season

This scientific evaluation model, developed by Shanghai University of Sport in partnership with leading international institutions, ensures the rankings align with global standards while incorporating contextual nuance.

Chinese Cities Continue Their Ascent

Chinese cities once again showed notable progression. Five cities—Beijing (24th), Shanghai (26th), Hangzhou (46th), Chengdu (47th), and Hong Kong (49th)—secured places in the global top 50.

Professor Liu noted that these results “indicate that the comprehensive strength of Chinese cities in areas such as event operations, sports industry ecosystem development, and public sports services has gained broad recognition from the international community.”

China Rankings: Full National Coverage and Strong Regional Models

The 2025 China Sports Cities Index achieved full national coverage for the first time, offering a clearer picture of regional performance and emerging development pathways. Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu remain firmly in the top four domestically, with Hong Kong in fifth place, reflecting its strategic influence within the Greater Bay Area. Shenzhen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shaoxing complete the top ten.

Distinct regional dynamics are becoming more pronounced:

• Yangtze River Delta: A model characterised by “major events driving progress, with small and medium-sized cities actively participating.”
• Greater Bay Area: A collaborative approach featuring “core leadership coupled with cross-border collaboration.”
• Smaller emerging cities: Places such as Yixing and Shaoxing are adopting “differentiated strategies such as hosting major events in small cities,” demonstrating how targeted approaches can accelerate local development.

Towards a Balanced and Sustainable Sports Ecosystem

Both the global and China indices emphasise a developing landscape in which cities are seeking diversified, sustainable, and community-driven approaches to sports development. The inclusion of sport participation in the China index signals a commitment to measuring impact at both elite and grassroots levels.

The 2025 results show that while established Western cities continue to dominate, the rapid rise of Asian markets, particularly China, signals an increasingly competitive and globally interconnected sports ecosystem.