The Sportcal Annual Cities Index analysed almost 700 major sporting events between 2008 and 2019, with London ahead of the pack thanks to major sports events including the in 2015 and the IAAF World Athletic Championships in 2017.
Other events coming to the city include the , EuroHockey Championships 2015, the European Swimming Championships 2015, the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships 2015 and cycling's UCI Track World Championships 2016.
Alex Hewitt, managing director of AOK Events, told Event the ranking added to London's allure as a city for events.
"To have a capital with such iconic stadia as Wembley, Twickenham and The Oval, as well as Wimbledon and Lords, plus four Premiership football teams, means the visitor experience is exceptional," said Hewitt.
"It is not cheap, but you get what you pay for, particularly when you consider the infrastructure and plethora of quality hotels."
Gordon Innes, London & Partners' chief executive, added: "A key focus for London & Partners has been to secure and deliver major sporting events for the city and ensure that London delivers on its 2012 legacy promise. To have this achievement recognised on the world stage underlines the scale of London's success in attracting elite sporting championships and we are thrilled to have been named the Global Sports City for 2013."
The ranking saw London ahead of other contenders with a Sportcal Index score of 26,313, compared to Moscow's 19,529 and Rio de Janeiro's 15,515 points.
Among other notable rankings in the Sportcal Index was Kazan's emergence in the top ten - evidence of Russia's ability to host major events following this summer's multi-sport event Universiade, and the recent addition to its roster of events of the FEI Fencing World Championships in 2014.
Sochi, host of next year's winter Olympic Games, lies just outside the top ten in 11th position.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson, said: "London is without doubt the greatest city on the planet for sporting events. We are delivering on our post-2012 promise to fill the city's Olympic and Paralympic venues with elite sporting events and we will continue to do so in the years ahead.
"As well as bringing real economic benefits to our city, these events are a tremendous catalyst for increasing grassroots participation and producing the stars of the future. I am delighted that our status as world leader has been recognised through this latest accolade."
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