Today host’s disbelief at Melbourne snub in sports city rankings
Melbourne has long claimed to be the sporting capital, but an annual list has put the city in its place with the results shocking a Today host.
Sydney and Melbourne sports fans, look away now.
The annual list of the 100 best sporting cities around the world has been released and it is bleak viewing for the two rival destinations.
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While locals from both Melbourne and Sydney love nothing more than to squabble over which city is the best sporting capital, they’ve fallen short of the top step on the podium.
Instead it is Brisbane that has taken the mantle with the Queensland capital securing 20th spot on the global list.
The annual list, released by global consultancy Burson, identifies the cities around the world with the strongest association with sport.
Brisbane edged out Sydney which came in at 28th on the list while Melbourne was further back in 32nd. The Gold Coast also made the list in 57th with Perth at 82nd.
It’s the second time Brisbane has won top billing in Australia after being ranked 15th in 2023, Sydney was on top in 2024 in 18th.
Melbourne has never cracked the top 20 on the list.
News of Brisbane taking the top honour didn’t go down well with Today host Sarah Abo, who was floored that Melbourne had come in third.
“What?!” Abo proclaimed as Jayne Azzopardi read the news.
“Who made this list? We have the best sports precinct in the entire world.
“Do they have eyes in the back of their heads or what? This is ridiculous.”
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Fellow Today host Karl Stefanovic was left in hysterics as he continually potted Abo and Melbourne over the lowly rank.
“Read the stats mate,” Stefanovic said.
Abo added: “You know what, I blame the Victorian government. It’s their fault.”
The report states the rankings are “based on both perception and in-depth quantitative analysis, including feedback from international sports leaders, sports media representatives and industry experts as well as enhanced social media and media coverage analytics”.
It also highlighted how hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games affected a city’s place in the rankings.
With Brisbane set to play host to the 2032 Games, the city could find itself even higher on the list in the years to come.
Paris took home the top spot on the list for the third year in a row with Los Angeles finishing as the runner up for the third time.
Rounding out the top 10 was New York, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Miami, Milan and Manchester.
Brisbane’s Lord Mayer Adrian Schrinner was overjoyed with being handed the top ranking among cities Down Under.
“Brisbane has officially been named Australia’s #1 sporting city in 2025 and ranked 20th globally in the Burson Ranking of Sports Cities,” he wrote on Facebook.
“From grassroots clubs in our suburbs to major international events, this recognition demonstrates how sport is part of our city’s incredible lifestyle.
“As we prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Games, our sporting story is only just beginning.”
While Melbourne residents and sports lover will continue to state they’re the home to the biggest and best sporting events, Brisbane can simply point to the rankings and hold onto bragging rights for at least another year.
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