Madison was ranked 215 out of 392 of the best sports cities in the nation by WalletHub. We might be biased, but that seems a little low. While the 608 is highly regarded as a top college sports town, the list was based on numerous factors including the presence of professional football + basketball teams. Let’s break down a few things that make Madison the No. 1 sports city in our eyes.
🍻 We’ll drink to that
One thing about Madisonians: If there’s an organized sporting event — from bar volleyball leagues to Badgers football — we’ll be tailgating.
- Badger Bash | A stone’s throw away from Camp Randall, this family-friendly tailgate has been offering free gameday activities for 50+ years.
- Red Zone | With 35 flat-screen TVs, this is the place to watch every Wisconsin sports event you can imagine.
- Regent Street Tailgate | Bars aren’t the only places to pregame, Rocky Rococo hosts one of the largest tailgates on football Saturdays.
- Pooley’s | Whether you’re watching the big game or participating in a local volleyball league, this is a sports fan’s haven.
🏙️ What’s in a name?
In the original ranking
, experts noted how a sports city reflects on its teams and vice versa. With Badger gear aplenty + numerous businesses using our mascot’s namesake, it’s safe to say our pride runs deep and reflects all over town. We’re thinking about:
📝 For the record
If our tailgating dedication + copious amount of Badger representation in local businesses wasn’t enough, our sports teams aren’t too shabby either. Cheer on the locals:
- UW Football | Ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten West .
- Forward Madison FC | Ranked No. 1 in the USL League One for passing accuracy.
- UW Volleyball | Ranked No. 3 overall by the NCAA with a 19-3 season.
- UW Women’s Basketball | Started off the season with a W this week.