Sports participation index: the North-South divide cuts across major cities; a wide choice of sporting activities comes out on top
These are the ten provinces with the most populous provincial capitals. These are metropolitan areas with challenges and advantages that are partly shared, including in the sporting sphere. Yet even here, the divide between the North (Milan, Turin, Genoa, Bologna) and the Centre (Florence, Rome) on the one hand, and the South (Naples, Bari, Palermo, Catania) on the other, is evident.
The 2026 Sportiness Index is no exception. In addition to Milan’s victory – which came at the end of a positive upward trend that began as far back as 2019, when it was ranked 22nd – and three other top-ten finishes (Bologna fourth, Florence fifth, Turin eighth), Genoa’s 12th place and Rome’s 17th are certainly commendable. In the South, Naples and Bari (48th and 49th) lag behind but still remain in the top half of the table, something the two Sicilian cities (Palermo 74th and Catania 77th) are unable to achieve.
The fact remains that, over the course of the 20 editions of the Pts Sport survey, the trend for the ‘macro-areas’ has been positive overall, mainly thanks to the last three years, the only years in which the average ranking of the provinces concerned fell below 30, standing at 26.5 in 2024 (with six places in the top ten), 29.3 in 2025 and 29.5 in 2026 (with five and four metropolitan areas in the top ten respectively).
Among the factors that may have contributed to this trend, in addition to a greater focus on various aspects of life in large urban centres, is the recent inclusion of the level of sporting accessibility amongst the parameters taken into account. It stands to reason that large, densely populated areas end up offering greater variety and a wider range of sports to choose from. And so, once again this year, the top four places in this indicator – provided by CONI – are occupied by the regions encompassing Italy’s four largest cities: in order, for 2026, Milan, Rome, Turin and Naples. The other provinces we are looking at are all ranked between seventh place (Genoa) and 18th place (Palermo).
The twenty-year historical record highlights in particular the achievements of Florence, Genoa and Bologna, which can boast 15, 14 and 13 top-ten finishes respectively. The Tuscan capital – with particular strengths in team sports such as football and volleyball, and in individual sports such as athletics and swimming – came first on two occasions, in 2008 and 2015. Genoa has also claimed victory twice (in 2010 and 2013); it, too, traditionally performs well in football and boasts good sports facilities, complemented by strong performances in water sports and also in the ‘average per sport’ category.
