Porto-Gaia

Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, the two cities on the banks of the Douro, are the World Capital of Sport 2028 — the first time Portugal has received this ACES distinction. The title came from a peculiar story. The pair submitted a joint bid — under the motto "Challenge The Gap / Para Além das Margens", built on three pillars: excellence, inclusion and innovation — for the 2027 world title, and lost it to Buenos Aires by a minimal margin. ACES regulations allow the finalist city to be designated directly for the following year when the scoring gap is under five points, so the federation awarded Porto and Gaia the 2028 title with no new process. The two city councils embraced it as recognition of the joint effort of communities, clubs, athletes and institutions, and as a commitment to expanding formal, informal and federated sport in the years ahead.