<p>This article investigates the impact of innovative cities construction on air pollution. Based on panel data from 285 prefecture level cities in China from 2007 to 2021, we use difference-in-difference method (DID) to estimate the impact of innovative cities construction on air pollution. We find that the innovative cities construction could reduce urban air pollution, but this effect is mainly reflected in the cities with low innovation capacity and low environmental regulation intensity. Further analysis reveals that the reduction effect of air pollution could be attributed to the improvement of innovation level, industrial structure upgrading and the increase in government attention. The conclusion of this article provides evidence for the government to implement environmental protection and reduce air pollution.</p>