Fansided

Ranking the best sports cities in the United States

By Mike Dyce

Jun 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) kisses the Stanley Cup up during the 2015 Stanley Cup championship rally at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) kisses the Stanley Cup up during the 2015 Stanley Cup championship rally at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of the National Anthem prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of the National Anthem prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Atlanta

Atlanta is home to three professional sports franchises: the Falcons (NFL), Braves (MLB) and Hawks (NBA). The Falcons have been on a roller coaster ride, from nearly making the Super Bowl in 2013 to the bottom of the draft. In 2013 the Falcons hosted the NFC Championship game.

The Hawks have bounced back and were one of the best teams during the 2014-15 NBA season, losing to the eventual Eastern Conference Champions Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Braves hurt Atlanta since they’re moving their field further away from downtown and making it harder to get to. Since 2000 the team has gone to the playoffs nine times though, seven times as division champions. That’s a lot of success.

In the realm of college football, Atlanta is host to the Southeastern Conference Football Championship Game and the Chick-fil-A Bowl. In college basketball the city has hosted the NCAA Final Four Men’s Basketball National Championship on three occasions (2002, 2007 and 2013), as well as the regional semi-finals and finals on four different occasions (2001, 2004, 2006 and 2012).

The city has hosted two Super Bowls, the most recent in the year 2000. And don’t forget that this is a city that hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The Georgia Dome also hosted WrestleMania XXVII. Atlanta also hosted UFC 88 and UFC 145 in recent years.

The city also hosted the 56th NHL All-Star Game in 2008, but eventually the franchise moved to Winnipeg.

Next: 17. Cleveland

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