Salt Lake City has climbed to 12th place on the Sports Business Journal's 2026 list of the best sports business cities in the United States, a massive leap from its 44th place ranking in 2023. The city's rise follows years of expansion, including the 2024 arrival of the Utah Mammoth and a recent groundbreaking for a $3.5 billion mixed-use development on the city's west side.
Rapid Rise in National Rankings
The surge in Salt Lake City's national profile is supported by a diverse portfolio of professional sports and major infrastructure projects. According to Sports Business Journal, the city's ranking puts it just one spot behind the Washington, D.C.-Northern Virginia area and one spot ahead of Tampa. The publication's data, collected through Feb. 28, 2026, utilized more than 540,000 data points including attendance, sponsorships, and construction projects.
Key contributors to the city's rapid ascent include the Utah Mammoth, which arrived in 2024 and has become a mainstay alongside the Utah Jazz. The city has also seen the addition of the LOVB Salt Lake women's volleyball team and the relocation of the U.S. Biathlon Association from Maine to the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway. Additionally, the Utah Talons recently secured their second consecutive Athletes Unlimited Softball League title in late July.
Billions in Infrastructure Investment
Large-scale infrastructure and construction projects are currently fueling the region's sports economy. More than $6.6 billion in sports-related construction projects are underway or recently completed in the Salt Lake City area. This includes Smith Entertainment Group's $525 million transformation of the Delta Center to accommodate both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Mammoth.
In South Jordan, the AAA Salt Lake Bees recently added the $140 million Ballpark at America First Square to the region's venue portfolio. On the city's west side, the Larry H. Miller Company has broken ground on a $3.5 billion mixed-use development. This project, which includes a potential baseball stadium if the city secures a major league team, follows rezoning plans approved by Salt Lake City leaders at the end of 2024. The area also features the Power District, a nearly 100-acre site between the Utah State Fairpark and the Jordan River.
MLB Expansion and Future Outlook
The city's recent growth has placed it in direct competition with other major markets for potential Major League Baseball expansion. While Salt Lake City is considered a top contender, the timeline for a major league team remains uncertain. As USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale reported in July 2025, Salt Lake City and Nashville, Tennessee, were identified as the strongest expansion markets available.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that the league is in the early stages of the expansion process and does not expect new teams to begin playing before he retires in 2029. Manfred has expressed interest in adding two teams to the 30-team league—one in the Eastern time zone and one in the Mountain or West—to balance league scheduling. He noted that the entry fee for such expansion would likely be in the billions of dollars.
Legislative Support and Olympic Legacy
The pursuit of an MLB team in Utah has been supported by legislative efforts and local development. During the 2024 legislative session, Utah lawmakers approved a framework for up to $900 million to support a new major league stadium within the Power District.
Amanda Covington, chief corporate affairs officer for the Miller Company and spokeswoman for Big League Utah, noted in 2024 that the state has been successful in demonstrating to the sports community that Utah is a ready market. The city's readiness is further bolstered by the 2034 Winter Games, which are slated to return to Salt Lake City using many of the venues originally built for the 2002 Olympics.
Competitive Regional Standing
As the region continues to expand, Salt Lake City's sports business profile continues to outpace several major metropolitan areas. The city's ranking has surpassed cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Denver, and it has outranked several locations currently competing for MLB expansion, including Portland, Orlando, Nashville, and Austin.
Other significant local developments include the construction of the USA Climbing National Training Center in the Rio Grande District and the 12-year, $5.2 billion Salt Lake City airport expansion project, which is scheduled to wrap up this summer.
