The best sports cities tend to have a rich history of success on the field, on the court and on the ice. However, that's not always the case. Transcendent athletes, legendary venues, passionate fan bases and one-of-a-kind traditions also go a long way in determining which destinations are most appealing to sports fans.

Boston wasn't always a dominant sports city but consistency is what makes it one of the best places on earth to be a sports fan. The five-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots have missed the playoffs just once in the past 15 seasons, the Boston Celtics have won a record 17 NBA titles and the hometown Red Sox-currently the best team in baseball in terms of record as of this writing-have won three World Series crowns since ending a nearly century-long drought in 2004.

The biggest name in sports, LeBron James, is coming to Los Angeles next season after joining the 16-time NBA champion Lakers. It's a case of the rich getting richer as the City of Angels already boasts two NFL teams, a pair of Major League Baseball teams and two Major League Soccer clubs. Factor in mighty universities such as USC and UCLA and it's easy to see why now is a great time to be a fan in Southern California.

The Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl in franchise history last season and enter the upcoming campaign as heavy favorites to repeat. If that weren't enough reason for excitement, the 76ers are coming off their first playoff appearance in six years while the 2008 World Series champion Phillies appear poised to make their first playoff appearance since 2011.

Unlike most cities on this list, Las Vegas is just beginning to establish itself as a major league sports destination. The NHL's Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup final in their debut season this past spring and the Oakland Raiders of the NFL are in the process of relocating to Sin City. Add in marquee UFC events and boxing mega fights and there's no question Vegas is the place to be.

Minneapolis is fresh off of hosting one of the most entertaining Super Bowls of all time and the hometown Vikings are among the NFL's favorites to win it all this coming season after posting a 13-3 record in 2017. Plus, the Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off of their first NBA playoff appearance in more than a decade. In nearby St. Paul, the Minnesota Wild have reached the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of the past six seasons.

For the first time in history, the Stanley Cup resides in the nation's capital. Washington, D.C. has been a tortured sports city of late-having experienced more than its fair share of heartbreaking losses in all four major sports-but the Capitals have the destination buzzing and fans believing that there are more titles to come.

Oakland may be losing its beloved Raiders but the Bay Area's Golden State Warriors have helped minimize the sting by winning three of the last four NBA championships, including the last two. The team will move to a new arena in San Francisco ahead of the 2019-20 season but there's a good chance the Warriors can secure another title in The Town before then. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics are on pace for their first winning season in several years.

Houston, or Clutch City as local sports fans know it, is home to the reigning World Series champion Astros, who are once again positioned to make a deep run in October. Meanwhile, the NFL's Texans have won four division titles since entering the league in 2002 and the two-time NBA champion Rockets came within a game of reaching the NBA Finals this past May. What's more, the Houston Dynamo is one of only five clubs to have won at least two MLS Cups.

It's been two decades since Michael Jordan and the Bulls won six NBA championships in eight years but Chicago is still buzzing since the Cubs ended the longest World Series title drought in history in 2016. In between those iconic championship moments, the Blackhawks added not one but three Stanley Cup titles.

Sports fans in Atlanta have a lot to cheer about these days. The Falcons have been one of the NFL's most exciting and successful teams of late, Atlanta United boasts the best record of any club in MLS as of this writing and baseball's Braves are in a tight race for the National League East crown. Atlanta is also a tremendous college football destination, hosting tantalizing matchups year after year and serving as the home of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Often referred to as Titletown, Green Bay has been home to the NFL's beloved Packers for nearly 100 years now. The team has won a record 13 NFL championships since 1929, including four Super Bowls. Lambeau Field, a can't-miss landmark for visitors to Green Bay, has been the Packers' home since 1957 and is on almost every sports fan's bucket list.

Pittsburgh has certainly earned the nickname City of Champions as its Steelers have won more Super Bowls (six) than any other NFL team. The NHL's Penguins have also amassed an impressive collection of hardware, winning five Stanley Cup titles since 1991, including two consecutive cups in 2016 and 2017. Even if the Pirates aren't contending for World Series championships, fans can't be too upset as riverfront PNC Park is among the most beautiful ballparks in the country.

Whether its teams win or lose, New York City remains among the best cities for sports fans as interest never seems to wane. The Big Apple is home to almost too many major league sports teams to count-including some of the most recognizable franchises in the world-and it routinely hosts big-time events such as the U.S. Open tennis championships, Formula E action and even eSports tournaments.

Seattle may have lost its beloved SuperSonics in 2008 but the Emerald City has begun to close the wound by adding multiple championships since then. The Seahawks won their first-ever Super Bowl in 2014 and have been a perennial contender ever since while the Sounders have reached back-to-back MLS Cups, winning their first title two years ago.

The University of Alabama has won a mind-boggling five of the past nine college football national championships and 17 titles overall. The reigning champion Crimson Tide trails only Princeton (28) and Yale (27) for the most all-time. For perspective, neither Ivy League school has won it all since 1950. For football fans in Tuscaloosa, winning has become an expectation.