The rise of the internet and technology in general hasn’t been a wholly positive phenomenon. Still, there’s no denying that it has led to significant improvements in many aspects of life. Take sports fandom, for instance. While fans have always been passionate about their chosen sports and teams, they haven’t always had the tools and resources they need to make the most of that passion. But the internet has changed that. Today, fans have multiple ways to engage with sports on a much deeper level than was possible in the past.
In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at how technology has made sports fandom a more engaging, more inclusive experience for fans.
Diving Into History
Sports is about more than the action that takes place on game day; it’s a historical thread that connects generations. The best teams in the world, for instance, generally have a long and illustrious history. The current incarnation of those teams is often standing on the shoulders of giants that came before it. In the past, younger fans would just have to listen to the stories of older fans who were there when the trophies were rolling in. But with the internet now in everyone’s pockets, today younger fans can discover their team’s history with just a few clicks of a button. They can download books, read articles, and even watch decades-old highlight videos on YouTube. This helps to give fans an even deeper appreciation of all that led towards making their team what it is today.
Engaging With The Action
In the olden days, it was difficult, if not impossible, to engage with a distant sporting event in a meaningful way. But that’s not the case anymore. Providing the fan has a stable internet connection, they can follow the action of their favourite international teams in real-time. And depending on where they live, they may be able to engage in a deeper way, too. Fans in Pennsylvania, for instance, can use a betting app in PA to back a team for victory, even if that game is taking place on the other side of the world. Thanks to technology, distance from the stadium or team is no longer a major factor. Just as the internet made cross-border communication a seamless experience, so too has it allowed fans to engage with their team’s games more deeply.
Close to the Team
The relationship between teams and fans, especially distant fans, was typically under the control of the media, which functioned as the bridge between the club and its followers. While there were some avenues, such as team-focused television channels, that gave fans greater access to their teams, they were often cost-prohibitive for many people. Today, fans get exclusive interviews, footage, news, and other valuable content just by following their teams on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The internet has essentially removed most barriers of entry for fans that want to make their teams a bigger part of their lives.
Talking With Fellow Fans
Sports fandom is about community. Seldom few fans enjoy their chosen sport in complete isolation. For most, it’s a social occasion when you watch the action and then dissect the events with fellow enthusiasts. While that is all well and good for local fans who can visit the stadium with friends on game day, it has been more difficult, if not impossible, for fans that live elsewhere. Not so anymore. Log in to Twitter during and after any major — or even minor — sporting event, and you’ll invariably find thousands of people talking about the action.
Visiting Far-Flung Stadiums
It has always been possible for distant fans to plan a trip to see their beloved team in action. However, in the past, it would have been a difficult trip to organise and, in all likelihood, quite expensive. An often overlooked benefit of having the internet in our pockets is that it makes planning trips, especially overseas trips, much easier and more cost-efficient. Fans can find the cheapest flight details, secure tickets, and get insider tips on how to make the most from their sporting holiday in a way that would not have been possible in the pre-internet era.
As the internet becomes a more significant part of our lives, the influence that tech has on the sports fan experience will only increase, too — and without doubt, it’ll be for the better.