Alabama city named one of the nation’s 50 best sports business cities

Birmingham is officially a major player on the national sports scene. According to the fourth annual rankings from the Sports Business Journal, the Magic City has been named the 38th best sports business city in the United States.

A Growing Sports Destination

The city's climb in the rankings—rising from No. 42 two years ago—highlights its growing influence in the sports industry. The publication lauded Birmingham as a college sports haven, noting its role as home to the SEC and SWAC, as well as its modern infrastructure like the Knight Eady marketing agency and the UAB football home, Protective Stadium, which opened in 2021.

Beyond stadium seats, the city has cemented its reputation by hosting a slate of prestigious NCAA championships, including events in basketball, indoor track and field, and cross-country running, alongside the JLab Birmingham Bowl.

Rising Above the Competition

Birmingham’s standing is particularly impressive given that it finished ahead of several cities with major-league professional franchises, including Portland (41), New Orleans (43), San Antonio (44), and Oklahoma City (47). Among cities without a major professional sports team, Birmingham ranked third, trailing only Fort Worth, Texas, and Greensboro, N.C.

“Birmingham is firmly on the national sports map,” said Dan Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This is a meaningful recognition of the collaboration across our community to elevate Birmingham as a sports destination. From youth and amateur play to collegiate championships, we’ve built a reputation for hosting high-caliber events that bring visitors to our city and create lasting economic impact.”

Industry Momentum

Michael Eady, president of event production firm Michael Eady, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the city's trajectory. “The ranking is a reflection of visionary leadership by our mayor, partnerships like the CVB, and investments that continue to move Birmingham forward,” Eady said. His firm has been instrumental in the city's success, managing events like the American Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments and Ballin in Boutwell.

How the Rankings Were Determined

The Sports Business Journal took a deep dive into the numbers to compile this year's list, tracking over 9,400 unique entities, 520 construction projects, and 1.48 billion game attendees. The publication analyzed 2,384 markets, focusing on the successes of cities that host Division 1 or professional athletic programs.

While Atlanta took the top spot nationwide, followed by New York City, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Birmingham’s progress remains clear. As Williams put it: “We have the venues, the experience and the track record to keep growing.”