Luleå Crowned Sweden's Best Sports City for 2025

Luleå has officially been named Sweden's best sports city for 2025, marking a historic first for the northern city renowned for its achievements in both hockey and basketball. The announcement was made following the city's impressive performance that included championship titles in these sports. Notably, Luleå's basketball team secured the Swedish Championship on April 27, triumphing with three straight final victories, followed by the men's hockey team clinching its first Swedish Championship title since 1996 on May 1.

The recognition comes with a record-high jury score of 426 points, which matches the highest score achieved by any city in previous years. Jacob Hård, a jury member, commended Luleå's significant success given its population of only 80,000. Alongside its sporting accolades, the city has also demonstrated remarkable attendance figures, showcasing sold-out games in men's hockey and becoming the first women's team in the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) to average over 1,000 attendees per match.

Luleå’s achievement is notable as it surpasses Gothenburg, which previously dominated this category. Gothenburg has won the title multiple times and received more jury points this year than last, yet it fell behind Luleå, which indicates a significant shift in the sporting landscape. The top five cities in the ranking included Gothenburg in second place with 365 points, Malmö in third with 325 points, Karlstad in fourth with 252 points, and Stockholm in fifth with 242 points.

This accolade not only reflects Luleå's burgeoning reputation in the sports community but also its dedication to promoting athletic excellence in Sweden.