City scores global sporting recognition
MANCHESTER has been ranked fifth in a poll of the world’s best cities for sports.
It was also named as the best small city for sports by SportsBusiness – an international sports body – which said it was the top city with a population of less than one million.
A panel of judges compiled the rankings based on a number of criteria, ranging from the number of annual sports events held, major events won between 2008 and 2016, to the quality of facilities/venues, transport, accommodation, government support, security to the use of social media.
In the overall global ranking, regardless of population size, Manchester secured fifth place behind London (1), Melbourne (2), Sydney (3) and New York (4), followed by Singapore (6), Berlin (7), Copenhagen (8) Glasgow (9) and Paris (10).
Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “Sport is an incredibly important part of ‘brand Manchester’.
“The gripping climax of the Premier League – with two Manchester teams battling it out for first and second place – was watched by an estimated global audience of 665m people and is just the latest example of how sport brings with it the international spotlight.”
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester city council, added: “This is yet further confirmation that Manchester as a major destination that is more than able to hold its own on the world sporting stage.
“The city may be home to the country’s top two football clubs but there is much, much more to sporting Manchester.”
This summer’s highlights include Olympic Football at Old Trafford, GB v USA men’s and women’s basketball matches at the Manchester Arena and the opening of the National Football Museum at Urbis.
