Awards: celebrating communities' commitment to physical activity
Every year, ACES recognises and celebrates the exceptional commitment of communities across the Americas to sport and physical activity, with a series of awards spanning from national capitals to small local communities. These awards honour leadership in the promotion of sport and highlight its role in the social, cultural and economic development of societies.
The six awards
American Capital of Sport
An annual award for a country's capital or a city with more than 500,000 inhabitants.
American City of Sport
Annual awards (up to 4 per country) for cities of between 25,000 and 500,000 inhabitants.
American Region of Sport
Awards (up to 2 per country) for political structures united by cultural, geographic, economic, historical or social ties.
American Community of Sport
Awards (up to 3 per country) for groups of small cities within a country.
American Town of Sport
Awards (up to 4 per country) for cities with fewer than 25,000 inhabitants.
World Capital of Sport
The same format as the American and European Capital of Sport, with the support of major international organisations such as UNESCO.
Awarded cities
2027
2026
- American City of Sport 2026EscazúCosta Rica2026
- American City of Sport 2026Vicente LópezArgentina2026
- American Region of Sport 2026AyacuchoPeru2026
- American City of Sport 2026CaruaruBrazil2026
American Capital of Sport 2026GuayaquilEcuador2026- American City of Sport 2026GarabitoCosta Rica2026
- American Region of Sport 2026LimónCosta Rica2026
- American City of Sport 2026Rio ClaroBrazil2026
American City of Sport 2026FacatativáColombia2026
2025
American Town of Sport 2025Puerto SalgarColombia2025- American City of Sport 2025CotaColombia2025
American City of Sport 2025MantaEcuador2025- American City of Sport 2025PortoviejoEcuador2025
- American City of Sport 2025SamborondónEcuador2025
American City of Sport 2025ChorrillosPeru2025
American Capital of Sport 2025ChihuahuaMexico2025- American Region of Sport 2025PernambucoBrazil2025
- American Region of Sport 2025PuntarenasCosta Rica2025
2024
2023
2022
Benefits of the award
These awards go far beyond the distinction itself: they bring benefits that contribute to the development and prosperity of the awarded community.
- International imageOutstanding international projection: the city enters the global map of sport.
- LegacyA lasting distinction that strengthens the city's sporting identity and prestige over time.
- Media impactGreater visibility and attention at national and international level.
- Return on investmentA boost to tourism, commerce and local investment.
- Best-practice networkingExchange of experiences with other cities in the network.
- Better local sports policiesInitiatives that promote an active, healthy lifestyle.
- Financial supportAn open door to sponsorships and support for sports projects.
- Civic prideA sense of belonging that recognises and celebrates the community's achievements.