24. Houston, Texas
Home to three pro franchises, college athletics galore, and myriad fantastic events, Houston, Texas is one American metropolis where the sports passion lives up to the hype.
Situated on the breezy Gulf of Mexico, Houston’s weather can be a little tough to handle at times, going from good to bad to horrible seemingly in a matter of minutes. (If you’ve never experienced a muggy summer afternoon in Houston, you, my friend, haven’t lived.) As far as sports are concerned, though, this is one sprawling city that doesn’t have to answer to anyone.
They have one of the best stadiums in football in NRG Stadium, which is slated to host Super Bowl 51, along with growing fan base for a Texans team now led by one of the NFL’s most iconic stars in defensive lineman J.J. Watt.
The Astros, meanwhile, are stocked with a ton of young talent, playing in one of the most unique stadiums in all of baseball. Then there are the Rockets, winners of back-to-back titles in 1994 and ’95 behind legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon, who starred at the University of Houston alongside Clyde Drexler in the 1980’s. (Can we be real for a second? Phil Slamma Jamma might be GOAT team nickname.)
Houston’s pro-sports teams might not always be at their best, but there’s more than enough history, loyalty, and future promise to put it squarely in the mix.
Next: 23. Washington D.C.