A new report has named Calgary as one of the best cities in 2026, placing it among the top 100 in the world.
World’s Best Cities just released its 2026 rankings, and Calgary found itself in the 85th spot. Some of the city’s highlighted rankings included placing ninth in educational attainment and 30th in labour force participation.
The report highlighted Calgary’s youthful population, with the median age being 38 years old in 2021, making it one of Canada’s youngest major cities and a strong foundation for the tech and creative sectors.
It also pointed out major projects shaping Calgary’s future, like the BMO Centre.
“In June 2024, Calgary unveiled the $500-million expansion of the BMO Centre in Stampede Park, immediately elevating its profile among top-tier North American convention destinations, which will give wings to the current #122 ranking for Convention Centers,” the report stated.
The city’s downtown revitalization efforts were also spotlighted, with the Stephen Avenue refresh set to open in 2026. The report also highlighted that the East Village transformation, including new residential towers and upgrades to the Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza, will cement cultural energy downtown.
Only four other Canadian cities made the list, with Toronto taking the top Canadian spot at 17th. Vancouver came in at 41st, Montreal at 46th, and Ottawa at 73rd.
London, U.K., took the top spot, with its highlighted rankings being first in airports and first in large companies. New York, U.S.A., and Paris, France, followed in second and third place, respectively.
The report emphasizes three key factors when ranking the cities: livability, loveability, and prosperity. Livability includes metrics such as parks, landmarks, and public transit. Loveable includes things like social media posts, nightlife, and shopping, and prosperity includes airports, unemployment rates, and convention centres.
You can view the whole World’s Best Cities 2026 rankings online.