Sport fans aren’t just an enthusiastic bunch. They’re a growing one. In the United States alone, an Ipsos poll found that more than two-thirds of Americans now describe themselves as fans of at least one sport.
And while football (soccer in the States) remains the most popular sport on the planet (with 3.5 billion fans), increased media coverage and growing interest in women’s sports have driven growth in nearly every sport – from cricket to volleyball.
Despite the many forms it can take, from drunken stadium crowds to quiet solo home viewers, sports fandom persists as a touchstone cross-cultural phenomenon.
But what drives that devotion – even in the face of losing seasons (see: the Chicago Cubs) or the loss of a star player (see: the Curse of the Bambino)?
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University professor Aaron C.T. Smith wanted to answer that question in his upcoming book, “The Psychology of Sports Fans.”
While most of the established research – and related commentary – has focused on sports fan behavior, Smith wanted to explore why fans are the way they are. Why does a team’s success (or failure ) on the field feel so important to our lives – even without any direct payoff? And why do fans remain so loyal, even if rational beings might walk away at some point?
“Our minds possess an incredible ability to believe; an ability that has been crucial for survival throughout human history,” Smith said. “Now, like a muscle that’s been trained to the extreme, we can’t resist flexing our beliefs. Investing in certain beliefs, particularly those associated with sports and [its] players, brings us significant personal and social rewards.”
Finding a Sense of Belonging – and Identity
According to Smith’s research, the answer lies in the way sports address a broad swath of cultural, psychological, and social. Using detailed case studies and accessible analysis, Smith investigates how sports fandom doesn’t just offer idle entertainment. It provides a sense of belonging, identity, and meaning.
One of the book’s central themes focuses on the role of sports in shaping personal and group identities. Rooting for a team isn’t just a pastime. It becomes a part of who we are. It helps to define us. Whether it’s simply wearing the jersey of your favorite player or recalling where you were when your favorite team won its last championship, we incorporate sports into the fabric of their lives. The emotional highs and lows we experience during a game (or match) reflex reactions. Smith argues that they reflect ingrained, usually subconscious, investments in community and self.
And with apologies to the late UCLA Bruins football coach Red Sanders, it isn’t just about winning. In his book, Smith spells out how fandom satisfies core psychological needs, such as connection and structure.
It’s a lot like religion. Both include rituals, shared beliefs, and a sense of belonging. Fans (like religious followers) take comfort in the regularity of game (or worship) days and the camaraderie of a collective identity.
Are We Simply Hardwired to Believe?
Smith also digs into how sports beliefs line up with the brain’s natural wiring. We, as humans are always looking for patterns. And sports offer up an neverending flow of data that includes scores, stats, and even strategies. Fandom feeds that desire for narrative and coherence, often giving fans the illusion of control or understanding, even when the outcomes couldn’t be less predictable.
But Smith adds that cognitive biases also play a role.
- Confirmation bias drives us to cling to hope after a bad season.
- The endowment effect makes us overvalue our home team.
- And the sunk cost fallacy is what prevents fans (for the most part) from jumping ship. How do you switch teams after spending so many years cheering for the same squad?
Global Game. Local Passion.
While we all connect with sports in an intensely personal way, Smith’s book emphasizes its universal nature. Drawing examples from Europe and North America, as well as emerging markets like Australia and Asia, the Smith underscores how remarkably similar fan behaviors are across cultures.
Not that there aren’t regional differences. Consider the national pride that India’s citizens invest in cricket? Or how Australian Rules football acts as a cultural anchor in Melbourne.
Digital developments are also reshaping how we follow – and cheer on – our favorite teams. Social media has turned passive viewers into active participants. Online forums and fantasy leagues, for example, have also spawned new layers of engagement.
A Meaningful (If Irrational) Investment
Despite the drawbacks – from the stress of an intense match to the expense of attending a game in person – being a sports fan isn’t always easy – or cheap.
So why do we keep coming back? In his book, Smith argues that the returns – while not necessarily tangible – remain real. Sports offer catharsis, resilience, and a rare chance to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.
“Fans don’t just support a team; they believe in it,” Smith concludes. “They have faith in the athletes who represent them, in the colors they wear, and in the history they honor.”
Further Reading
Sports Mount Defense Against Pre-Adolescence Mental Illness
