The two Douro cities will compete for the title with Santiago de Cali (Colombia) and Buenos Aires (Argentina) and the announcement of the two finalists will be made at the end of January.

In a statement, the municipality led by Rui Moreira expresses that “this historic moment positions the two neighbouring cities as potential pioneers in winning this title for Portugal”, adding that the “candidacy highlights the commitment of both cities to promoting sport as a driver of social and cultural development”.

For the mayor of Porto, Porto and Gaia's candidacy for World Sports Capital 2027 “highlights the role of sport in building healthier, more inclusive, fair and educated societies”. “Societies that, in essence, embody the Sustainable Development Goals, the observance of which is decisive for our global future”, concludes Rui Moreira.

In turn, the mayor of Gaia, Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, states that “there are many reasons that lead these two cities, together, to aspire to such a dream”. “For many, it is an ambitious goal. For us, in addition to the challenge, this achievement would be recognition of the work that we have built, individually and in partnership, over the last few years.”

The announcement of the two cities' intention that they would be preparing a joint candidacy for World Sports Capital in 2027 was made in 2023, but the candidacy has only now been formalised.