As we slowly approach the FIFA World Cup 26, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, I thought it only fitting to explore what makes watching sports so captivating. The numbers alone show just how powerful this draw is: Some studies report 67% of Americans saying they are fans of at least one sport. Professional football tops the list of sports that Americans say they are fans of, followed by baseball, college football, and men’s basketball.
There is no doubt that watching sports is exciting, drawing out the competitive nature within us as we root for our team and feel as though their victory is our own, sharing in their triumphs and defeats as if we were on the field ourselves. But could there be more to it? What drives sports fans to become so passionately attached to their teams? Why are some people fair-weather fans, while others love to root for the underdog? I would argue that sports fans perhaps feel a sense of belonging, experience an emotional high and feel a connection that leads to their strong loyalty.
According to Daniel Wann, a prominent social psychologist recognized for his extensive research on sports fandom, fans develop a sense of belonging through their connection with a sports team. This attachment gives them a feeling of unity and shared purpose, something that often extends beyond the game itself. For example, if you’re walking through a mall in Boston in early spring wearing a Boston Red Sox cap, chances are that people are going to talk to you. Suddenly, you’ve got all these friends at the mall; you don’t know their names, where they work, or where they live, but they’re smiling and saying hi. At that moment, it would be hard to feel lonely.
Sporting events also offer an opportunity for social interaction and community building. Fans gather in stadiums, sports bars, and living rooms to share in the thrill of the game. This sense of community amplifies the excitement; sharing the highs of victory and the lows of defeat makes the experience more exciting and meaningful.
Let’s be honest, sports thrive on narrative. There is emotional branding, which impacts deep emotions. These emotions are branded as the nature of sports is uncertain, making each game an emotional rollercoaster that keeps fans on the edge of their seat. This ties into the drama of the sport. Like it or not, the whole gimmick is that there is a villain (the opposing team) going up against the hero (your team). These narratives often involve an underdog team defying the odds, a fallen star seeking redemption, or an intense rivalry between long-standing opponents. And that isn’t even to mention the anticipation leading up to the big game.
This brings us to a person’s strong sense of loyalty to their team. Fans anticipate each game with excitement rooted in that deep emotional connection. Over time, loyalty grows through consistent engagement and emotional investment in the team’s journey. Marketing research even shows that brand relationships extend beyond simple loyalty; they become part of a fan’s identity.
While the thrill of the game itself certainly draws fans in, it is the combination of belonging, emotional highs, and personal connection that truly makes sports captivating. Fans are not just spectators: they become part of a community, share in the drama of each match, and commit time to be a part of their team’s journey. This sense of loyalty and attachment transforms sports from mere entertainment into a meaningful experience that resonates far beyond the final whistle. In the noise of a crowd or the silence of a loss, there’s a kind of unity. Sports offer a powerful reminder of how shared passion and connection can make us feel a part of something bigger than ourselves.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.