3 Deeper Reasons For Why We Love To Watch Sports

For some, watching sports isn't just a hobby—it can be a form of therapy.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | April 30, 2024

As of 2023, around 70% of Americans watch live sport, and around 57% watch on a weekly basis. Ball sports, athletics, combat sports, e-sports–each form has its own unique fanbase. While each fan is as dedicated and loyal as the next, research shows that sports fans might be tuning in for different reasons.

A 2022 study found that the three overarching motivations of sports fans are a desire for a sense of community, entertainment and national or regional patriotism.

However, psychological research shows that watching sports can have far more profound motivations, beyond just a sense of community and entertainment. Psychologists Edward Hirt and Joshua Clarkson, prolific researchers in the psychology of motivation and consumerism, conducted a study outlining other important motivations of sports fandom and fanship. Here are a few of them.

1. Aesthetic Appreciation

For some, the beauty of sports lies in the artistry of the athletes. They appreciate the grace, precision and physical prowess involved in sports like figure skating, diving or even football. Hirt and Clarkson outline that the aesthetics of sports themselves can be a compelling reason for interest.

Think of a perfectly executed gymnastics routine, a clinical yet beautiful cross between players in a soccer game, or Michael Jordan's unbelievable dunks from the free throw line. Moments like these in sports leave us marveling at the sheer skill, grace and athleticism that players and teams display.

Like listening to a classical symphony, gazing at a renaissance oil painting or watching ballet–sports are artistic at their core. Some feel the same experience of amazement when watching sports as some would feel listening to music or wandering an art gallery.

2. Escapism

Sports can offer an escape from reality, but for some, it is more profound. The researchers explain that watching or participating in sports can help people temporarily forget their troubles, reduce anxiety and experience a sense of relief.

In the stressful hustle and bustle of our daily lives, many use media content as a way to take their minds off of their troubles. While some will opt for a book, a movie or a podcast, for many, a sports game allows the same cathartic release.

As they watch their favorite NFL or Premier League teams play, fans can lose themselves in the playing field momentarily, alleviating whatever gray and monotonous feelings are left from their day.

As they cheer for their team and heckle the opposition, they are allowed a moment of catharsis. It's not just about pledging allegiance to their team; it's also a release of any pent-up frustrations, and a moment of relief and escape from their daily worries.

3. Self-Esteem

For some individuals, sports serve as a means to boost self-esteem and confidence. According to Hirt and Clarkson, watching and participating in sports can help people identify with the achievements of athletes. Success in sports–even just as a knowledgeable and dedicated fan–can enhance a person's self-worth.

The researchers explain that individuals' self-esteem needs can be met either directly or indirectly: through their own accomplishments or through the accomplishments of others. The latter is referred to as BIRGing: basking in reflected glory. This is what sports fanship allows for.

When a fan's favorite sports team is successful, the fan feels a similar level of accomplishment. This is why we wear our teams' merchandise the day after a win, or why we use personal pronouns when discussing our teams. It's never "They beat the Raiders, 26-14." It's always "We beat the Raiders, 26-14."

This attachment to a winning team can lead fans to feel more confident and positive about themselves, ultimately contributing to a heightened sense of self-esteem. The team's accomplishments become intertwined with the fan's own identity, reinforcing the idea that when the team wins, the fan wins too.

To fans, sports aren't just about kicking balls or scoring goals. To them, sports are epic examples of storytelling, with compelling narratives, dramatic comebacks, underdog stories and rivalries. These artistic tales lead sports fans to experience profound emotional and mental benefits that allow them to escape reality and rediscover their self-worth. So, for those who have yet to delve into the world of sports, here's your invitation to embark on a captivating journey of human achievement and resilience. It's an opportunity to experience the thrill of shared victories and the solace of a community that transcends borders.

Is your incessant interest in professional sports caused by a fear of missing out? Take the FOMO Scale to learn more.

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.