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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Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Trea Turner (7) warms up on the on deck circle during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated San Francisco Giants 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Trea Turner (7) warms up on the on deck circle during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated San Francisco Giants 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

23. Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. has always been a booming sports market, and while the city’s pro teams haven’t always been a huge draw, it still boasts some of the best fans anywhere in America.

The team’s crown jewel is the Washington Redskins, who’ve  won multiple Super Bowls and have plenty of great history in the NFC East. With Robert Griffin III officially run out of town, it falls on Kirk Cousins to lead this once-proud franchise back to the promised land.

The Washington Capitals, meanwhile, have consistently been one of the top teams in the NHL — even if they’ve never quite gotten over the hump. Still, Alex Ovechkin remains a bona-fide hockey superstar, and as long as he’s wearing the captain’s “C”, the Capitals are sure to be a threat in the Eastern Conference.

On the Nationals, Bryce Harper has led the way — and lived up to every ounce of hype — with a rare combination of hitting prowess and superstar charisma. The Nats are already World Series contenders, and if they ever find themselves playing into October, you know the fans at Nationals Park (one of the most beautiful anywhere, by the way) will be out in full force.

Though mired in mediocrity, the Washington Wizards have a franchise cornerstone in John Wall, a promising potential star in Bradley Beal, and enough young talent to make the next five-or-so years well worth watching.

Next: 22. Green Bay