Sports fans in the US are highly engaged and their fandom has grown over the years. Football is the most popular sport, followed by baseball. Sports fans are increasingly consuming sports content through digital platforms, including streaming, gaming, and social media. They are interested in deeper storytelling and are forming digital communities. Basketball, baseball, and football remain the most popular sports, but soccer and eSports are gaining popularity. US sports fans are interested in multiple sports and engage with sports content regularly through live sports, highlights, documentaries, interviews, and social media. They also play sports video games.
- Over 75% of surveyed respondents rated their sports fandom at seven or higher (on a scale of one to ten) [2].
- Nearly 90% of respondents said their fandom had grown (37%) or stayed relatively the same (52%) over the past years[2].
- Almost 70% of fans say they are sports fans because sports are entertaining[2].
- 68% of fans said their fandom comes because they currently participate in sports[2].
- 41% of Millennials in the US stated that they were avid sports fans[5].
- Football is the favorite sport among sports fans in the US, with 44% of fans preferring it[6].
- Baseball is the second most popular sport, with 31% of fans preferring it[6].
- Sports fanatics who watch 4+ major sports on TV regularly are 27% more likely to watch TV on a phone and 45% more likely to watch SciFi programming[7].
- 55% of sports fans said a major reason why a sports team is their favorite is because they watched them growing up[8].
- 34% of sports fans said their favorite team's consistent performance during the season is a major reason for their fandom[8].
- 33% of sports fans said their favorite team's close proximity is a major reason for their fandom[8].
- Sports fandom has dropped sharply from 2021 to 2022, consistent with declines in the national mood[9].
- 70% of Americans are sports fans, and 21% are avid fans[11].
- Football is the most popular sport in the US, with 27% of Americans saying it is too violent[11].
- Fan favorites in the US include the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Brady, and Joe Montana[11].
- Sports fans are becoming more fragmented across streaming, app, and gaming platforms[13].
- Digital audiences are being attracted to sports through gaming, streaming content, or mobile apps[13].
- The worlds of social and gaming are coalescing for the next generation of sports fans[14].
- Sports fans have a hunger for deeper, emotional, human-led storytelling[14].
- Fans are changing the game, shifting from large audiences physically together to more remote yet more engaged behavior[16].
- Fans have developed digital communities to drive connection with each other, their favorite athletes, and their favorite teams[16].
- Fandom has shifted to more remote yet more engaged behavior, with fans finding new ways to build community: chatting, sharing, betting, and co-watching[16].
- Basketball, baseball, and football are still the most popular and followed sports in the US[18].
- Soccer and eSports are gaining popularity among US sports fans[18].
- 80% of US sports fans are interested in at least one sport, and 45% are interested in at least four sports[18].
- 60% of US sports fans watch live sports at least once a week[18].
- 50% of US sports fans watch sports highlights at least once a week[18].
- 40% of US sports fans watch sports-related content (e.g., documentaries, interviews) at least once a week[18].
- 30% of US sports fans engage with sports content on social media at least once a week[18].
- 20% of US sports fans play sports video games at least once a week[18].
