It was Sunday afternoon. I was making a cake, cooking dinner, and watching three soccer games at once while furiously typing on a group text with my husband and a married couple we are friends with. They were watching the same games. I thought, “This is silly; they should be here watching with us.” So, I texted, “My hair isn’t done, I have no make-up on…but you should come and watch with us anyway.” And they did. And, just like that, an afternoon that was already fun for my family turned into an opportunity for more fun and, most importantly, connection.  

What is it about fandom?  

In November 2022, Ben Valenta and David Sikorjak released a book they never dreamed of writing, Fans Have More Friends. Analytics and strategy experts, Valenta and Sikorjak also happen to be die-hard sports fans. Through their work with various sports-related industries, they started noticing something: fans seem to have more friends. From there, they developed a hypothesis: “To be a fan is to be a part of a community” — and they set out to see if they were right.  

And, it turns out, they were! Fans DO have more friends. But not just that. They discovered that fans are happier and less lonely, experience less depression and more satisfaction in their careers and relationships, and the list goes on. Why? Ben and David explain in their book that because in fandom, you find community, and in community you find belonging and that belonging affects you in such wonderful ways.  

But this is not all.  Fans also have more trust in institutions. This cuts across political lines and any other divisions we see in our world. If you are a fan, their research shows you will trust in any institution that supports your community more than non-fans.  

The Effects are Ageless 

There is lots of evidence to support that playing sports is good for both kids and adults. But this research reveals that the benefit of sports goes beyond playing them. It includes being a fan. And that is encouraging news because fandom is forever. You won’t always be able to score the goal or run across the field (at some point, even the most athletic of us will retire from playing), but you never retire from being a fan.  

For kids, many stop playing organized sports in their early teens. Research shows that many of the benefits kids experience while playing a sport stop when they leave the sport. Unless, of course, they continue being a fan. If they continue watching and cheering for their favorite teams (local, national, international…doesn’t matter), then many of the benefits endure. We see the same positive effects for teens as we do for adults: fans experience more joy, less depression, better productivity, and, of course, have more friends ( which leads to less loneliness).  

Downsides?  

I’m a Cubs fan who lives in St. Louis, MO (Cardinals Nation can be hostile territory for a Cubs fan). My son and I cheer for Barcelona FC, and my husband cheers for Real Madrid. And, so, I’m wondering…do I still get the same effects if my team has a losing record, or my partner is cheering opposite than me, or I live in a rival city?  

According to Valenta and Sikorjak, none of that matters (and I would agree, from my own personal experience). There are no downsides. If you are a fan, you will experience the positive effects of fandom. Even if your team is losing or you are the lone (wo)man cheering for your team in a crowded sports bar.  

What does this mean for neighboring?  

Since this is a neighboring blog, it makes sense to draw the connection to a neighborhood. Are fans better neighbors? Well, Valenta and Sikorjak didn’t research that. But, I can draw some conclusions.  

  1. Fandom makes for easy small talk, which can lead to deeper connections 
    I’ll never forget when I walked by a house that had a Nebraska University flag in front. I’m from Nebraska, where there isn’t a person who doesn’t have a Nebraska sweatshirt that they wear every Saturday in the fall. Seeing that flag was a perfect conversation opener for the new family that had just moved into the house. I learned that even though they aren’t big fans, they put out that flag as a part of their identity.  
  2. Fandom gives a great reason for gathering 
    We have neighbors who love watching football (the American kind). They use their fandom to host draft night parties and fantasy football league gatherings. One couple puts a TV in their garage on nice Saturdays in the fall, and the “party” slowly grows as the kids play and other neighbors pull up a chair. My husband and another neighbor didn’t grow up with American football, but they get invited and are happy to participate because there is a reason to gather and it is fun!  
  3. Happier and more trusting neighbors are the type you want  
    I often joke that everyone needs a friend who is a Cubs fan. We are loyal despite disappointment, we are optimistic (there is always next year), and we love to have a good time (have you ever been to Wrigley…or Wrigleyville…on game day?). But, after reading this research, I will need to change up my motto. Everyone should have a neighbor who is a fan—period. We are happier, more connected, and more trusting. I think those traits make a great neighbor.  
So, What Can You Do With this Research?  
  1. Not a fan? Consider finding a team to follow. A local high school or college team is a great place to start. Or choose a sport you know a lot about and just pick a team. Put some notifications on your phone so you can keep up-to-date without spending a lot of time watching. Then, buy a hat, or put a flag in your yard. And that’s it. That alone will make you ready for a conversation. And it will set the flywheel of fandom into motion.  
  2. Host a gathering! Superbowl Sunday, March Madness, or even the World Cup (which is this summer). There are many opportunities for hosting a fun gathering around sports. So, plan and invite some neighbors! 
  3. Take part in the upcoming March Neighborliness tournament. Designed after a March Madness-style tournament, we are looking for your favorite neighboring activities. Stay tuned for our March 15th bracket reveal (aka “selection day”…iykyk). Then, throughout the month of March, you will vote for your favorite neighboring activities (I’m advocating for the sports-themed ones). The vote for the winner will conclude on April 6th, the closing day of the tournament. Then you will have until June 1st to complete the act of neighboring that was chosen. Everyone who does will receive a free gift!  

Fans have more friends, and they make great neighbors, too.  

Go Cubs! (Listen, even if you’re a Cardinals fan… we can still be friends. 😊)