Fansided

Ranking the 30 best sports cities in America for 2016

By Charles Rahrig V

Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans walk on the Hope Memorial Bridge after the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans walk on the Hope Memorial Bridge after the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; General view of the Alamo mission before the 2016 Alamo Bowl between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Oregon Ducks at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; General view of the Alamo mission before the 2016 Alamo Bowl between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Oregon Ducks at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

12. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio might have just one pro-sports franchise (the five-time NBA champion Spurs), the team’s hyper-loyal fanbase — easily one of the best in the world — gives the city a fandom-to-population ratio that’s virtually unrivaled.

Even when the Spurs are eliminated from the playoffs, it’s not uncommon to find fans lined up at the airport to welcome their beloved team back to South-Central Texas. Now that’s commitment.

Led by an all-time great coach in the curmudgeonly Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have assembled some of the best rosters in NBA history, building strong teams year after year thanks to a cultural philosophy that emphasizes teamwork, respect, and community involvement.

With just one team in town, it’s easy for the fans to get hooked on the Spurs, who’ve elicited a hoops following bordering on religion. The city has also played host to Final Fours, a world famous rodeo, and boasts its very own college football bowl game.

San Antonio might seem to play second fiddle to the likes of Houston, Dallas, and Austin, but when it comes to combining history, food, culture, and basketball fanaticism, there are few that can hold a candle to Washington on the Brazos.

Next: 11. Miami