Fandom and sport practice: should be aligned but have separated

Abstract

It is common to associate sports practice with physical and mental well-being. At the same time, sports fandom fulfills needs related to identity and a sense of belonging. This leads to the idea that practice and fandom should be aligned; however, the present research suggests that this is not always the case. Our main objective is to understand behavior related to sports, to identify possible patterns of activity and fandom among the population of Costa Rica’s Gran Area Metropolitana (GAM) or Metro Area. Through an exploratory study involving 403 participants, data was collected in the GAM using an intercept methodology. Among the most relevant findings is that only 54% of GAM residents report practicing sports, while 61% claim to be fans of a sports club or league. Nevertheless, there is a misalignment between practice and fandom, with 1 in 3 participants engaging in one but not the other, and an additional 25% not engaging in either. These findings highlight areas of interest for organizations seeking to promote more active lifestyles among
citizens, as well as for sports organizations aiming to cultivate more committed fans.