The Best U.S. Cities for Soccer?

A Recent Report by WalletHub Reveals The Best US Cities For Soccer Fans

The personal finance website WalletHub has released its report on the Best US Cities for Soccer Fans in 2024. The report comes on the heels of the US Open Cup and Major League (MLS) Season, which is in full swing for soccer enthusiasts and sports fans.

WalletHub ranked 300 cities across five soccer divisions to determine the top cities for soccer fans. Los Angeles, California, took the number one spot, followed by Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Orlando, Florida; and Washington, DC.

Each soccer division was evaluated using 52 key metrics, which included performance and team stats, ticket prices, stadium capacity and fan engagement. The five divisions across which the cities were ranked were Major League Soccer (Division I Men's), National Women's Soccer League (Division I Women's), United Soccer League (Division III Men's), College Soccer (Division I Men's), and College Soccer (Division I Women's). 

Each metric was graded out of a 100-point scale. To determine the weight for each division, WalletHub surveyed the top-performing five teams in each division's Facebook account and calculated the proportion each division represented in total.

 Finally, WalletHub determined each city's weighted average across all metrics to calculate its total score. The scores were then used to rank-order the cities. Cities were also ranked within each division, with a rank of 1 representing the best conditions for soccer fans.

After a slow rise in popularity in the US, soccer has finally begun to gain momentum among America's sports fans. According to Cassandra Happe, Wallethub Analyst, "Cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle are leading the way in creating a great environment for soccer fans." 

Yet, there are still several hurdles to the continued growth of US Soccer, including competition with domestic sports and well-established global soccer leagues and teams, according to Mike Lorenc, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Michigan. 

As the love for soccer grows in the US, it is important that cities make the sport easy for fans to enjoy. 

The full report can be accessed at the following link https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-soccer-fans/14207#expert=Dr._Simon_Licen