Why has Barcelona become the new world capital of sports?

Barcelona showing muscle again and repositioning itself as the capital of the sport and a world reference. Known worldwide for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, the Catalan capital has regained leadership as an international benchmark in sports, both for the sporting vocation of its citizens and for the sports agenda, where the city once again plays a role. reference paper. So, public relations and communication agencies Burson Cohn and Wolfe (BCW) brings together Barcelona as a global benchmark in the promotion of physical activity and sport, ranking as the fourth most sporting city in the world, surpassed only by New York, London and Los Angeles. The level and quality of its infrastructure, sporting events at the highest level, the sporting culture of its inhabitants and the sporting excellence of its entities and clubs that are a benchmark in their respective fields have contributed to the positioning that this Catalan city.

Two facts: 7 out of 10 Barcelona residents practice sports regularly and there are 900 active sports clubs in the city.

Sports that develop the city

It’s 2022 Barcelona city councilor for sports David EscudHe declared to the MD that “sport should be one of the driving forces of the city. When I started my position, it was clear to me that for the city, at the level of economy, positioning and self-esteem, sport is decisive” , which highlighted that “Barcelona is not looking for sporting events to which it needs to adapt, but rather that. adapt to the needs of the city and help us grow sportingly and as a city.”

And proof of this is happening this week in the city, with the exhibition of the best F1 drivers and cars in the heart of Barcelona. Passeig de Gracia, appetizer of The Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunyaand in the official announcement that the Grand Depart of the 2026 Tour de France It will take place in Barcelona in a big way, with three stages; a short-term sports agenda where the Sailing America Cup (from August 22 to October 20) in an example of flexibility referred to by Escudé.

Three events added to a sports calendar with integrated references to celebrate, such as Extreme Barcelona (from September 13 to 15), the Allianz Jean Bouin (December 1), the Barcelona Bombers Race (November 10), the Cursa dels Nassos (December 31) and others who experienced a new successful edition, such as International Jumping Competition-CSIO Barcelonahe Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Conde de Godó TrophyThe Half and the Barcelona MarathonThe Cycling Tour in Catalonia he MotoGP Catalunya GP.

Barcelona, ​​​​​​benchmark score

There is a fact that further reinforces Barcelona’s sporting leadership, ​​​​​​and that is after the announcement of the departure of the Tour from the city, the Catalan capital became the only city in the world to host the some Olympic Games (1992), a Soccer World Cup (1982) and the Sailing America Cup (2024), the four most important sporting events. It is “a dream come true, reaffirming Barcelona’s role as a global sports capital for the benefit of the development of Catalonia and Spain,” he said. Jaume Collboni, mayor of the city. Dream where the role of Barcelona Sports Hub, the sports hub of Barcelona, ​​plays an important role. “We have made a commitment to organize, lead and engage the sports business sector, and we now have more than 400 companies joining. Next to Indescatand thanks to sport, we create wealth and create jobs in the city,” added Escudé.

And to stay on top of the wave, the city is constantly trying to attract other major events to its sporting calendar. In anticipation of 2025, work is underway to host the Basketball Final Four (competing with two rivals with a large portfolio such as Belgrade and Abu Dhabi), the World Athletics Championship facing the next mandate of the current government, and has a prominent role in Spain 2030 Soccer World Cup, with the aim that the final can be played in the Catalan capital, in the new Blaugrana Coliseuma, in addition to the fact that the field of RCD Espanyol in Cornellà have a prominent role; apart from the events that have been done in silence in the short and long term to consolidate the leadership of Barcelona as a reference in world sports.