AusLeisure

Melbourne and Auckland have taken out multiple category awards at the 2016 Ultimate Sports City Awards, presented overnight at the SportAccord Convention in Lausanne, Switzerland.

While New York was named as the SportBusiness Ultimate Sports City of 2016 – the first time a US city has won the Award, it was a night of success for Auckland and Melbourne – with Gold Coast also winning a special Best Newcomer Award.

Melbourne which had won the top award three times in the past – in 2006, 2008 and 2010 – was also named SportBusiness Ultimate Sports City At 10 Anniversary Award, an award introduced to celebrate the city with the greatest impact over the 10 years that the awards have been in existence.

The Victorian capital, which had been nominated in nine categories, also won the Best Large Sports City and Best Venues Awards.

Auckland won Awards for Best Medium Sports City, Best Event Strategy and Best Security.

Representing all the continents in the world, 30 cities out of an original list of 150 made the cut to be considered the SportBusiness Ultimate Sports City of 2016 based on their major event portfolios.

Commenting on the winners, Head Judge and founder of Ultimate Sports Cities Rachael Church stated “I am not surprised that Melbourne came out on top for this special 10 year anniversary award.

“The city has been either the winner or runner up in the awards in the previous five editions of Ultimate Sports Cities and boasts a major events strategy that many other cities have since used as a best practice guide for their own strategies.

“The city has sports venues that are not only the best in the world but that are at the heart of the city, fostering a greater sense of engagement with the general public and fans when events take place.

“A highly supportive government at local, regional and national level also means Melbourne offers a safe pair of hands to event organisers in a stunning setting.”

The Special Award for Best Newcomer also went to Australia with Gold Coast, host of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, triumphing in its first outing in the rankings.

Welcoming Melbourne's award, Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren stated "this award marks an outstanding decade of the biggest and best globally-renowned events.

“The eyes of the sporting world are on Melbourne all-year round. We have all the top-class events, and we want more of them.

“Whether it’s a Formula 1 Grand Prix, a Tennis Grand Slam, the world’s best Spring Racing Carnival or a one-off blockbuster at the MCG, Melbourne is at the top of the bucket list of sports fans right around the globe.”

The ‘SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Cities Awards’ are the internationally recognised and longest established rankings of the world’s top sports hosts and have been held every two years since 2006.

Click here for further information about SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Cities Awards.

Click here for details of the SportAccord Convention in Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image shows Melbourne Olympic Park and the MCG.

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