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The Psychology Behind the Spectacle: Why We’re Hooked on Watching Competitive Sports

• Ken Anucha
• July 4, 2023

Watching competitive sports is one of the most popular pass times. The most popular sports are watched by billions of people around the world, with events such as the FIFA World Cup being a global event. This Canadian sportsbook and countless others across the world tap into the beauty of sportsmanship and the spectacle of watching it.

But what is it that makes competitive sports so compelling to watch? That’s what we aim to find out in this article. We’ll be looking at the psychology behind why people gravitate to sports and what they get out of it, including the entertainment aspect, unpredictability, sense of belonging, and tribalism.

The entertainment factor 

The most obvious reason people watch sports is for the entertainment they provide. Of all the different forms of escapism, sports are some of the best since they’re always changing. Whether it’s new players being brought in, rule changes, drama off the field, etc. – there’s always something for fans to get their teeth into.

While the entertainment factor can vary depending on the sport, most sports, especially at the high level, will be very compelling to watch. The huge array of solo and team sports means there’s something for almost everybody too.

The sense of community

Another big reason why sports are so compelling to so many people is because of the sense of community they provide. Many people will bond over a love of their favorite sports team or athlete.

This social aspect is definitely a big part of the appeal when it comes to sports, particularly when it’s team-based sports, whether it’s basketball, soccer, American football, or baseball.

Bitter rivalries 

A huge part of the sport and particularly team sport is the rivalries it gives birth to. There are many great rivalries in sports and this not only makes them more compelling to watch but it also adds a sense of tribalism among fans, which provided it doesn’t go too far, just adds to the atmosphere and intensity.

As stress relief

The modern world has no shortage of stress and watching sports can be a great way to relieve it. Although you could argue that following a particular team can add to a person’s stress levels, particularly if that team isn’t performing particularly well, most fans can accept that it’s ultimately just a game and there’s entertainment and escapism to be had even in stressful moments.

Ongoing stories

A lot of sports are not dissimilar to a soap opera. There are evolving storylines around teams, players, and managers that help to keep things interesting all the time.

The rivalries and off-the-field drama are just as big a part of sports as what goes on during the games for many fans and are a big part of the reason they watch.

Many of the most famous sports, such as soccer, tennis, and golf have been played professionally for more than 150 years, so there’s a lot of history and prestige to them, which adds to their appeal.

Live vicariously 

People often think that living vicariously through other peoples’ experiences is a negative thing but where sports are concerned it can be a positive and for many people is a big part of the appeal.

For example, many people love the competitive aspect of sports but either can’t or don’t want to compete themselves. Watching sports from afar lets them experience competitiveness through their favorite team/athlete but without all the stress, pressure, etc. that comes with competing directly.

A unique experience

Although there are many other forms of entertainment, whether it’s live theatre, music gigs, or movies; there’s something special about sporting spectacles that are hard to match.

A big part of the appeal and what makes sports unique compared to most other forms of entertainment is that they’re unpredictable. You never know exactly what’s going to happen in a particular game, even when there’s a clear favorite.

Watching sports on television or online is one thing, but to experience a large sports event in person is truly a unique experience. The atmosphere they provide is like nothing else and makes you feel a part of the events unfolding.

There are many reasons why people watch sports, and you should now have a better idea of some of the main ones. A combination of all the psychological factors mentioned above is why sports have become as big as they have.

When you consider that the viewing experience for sports is only becoming more immersive and engaging thanks to things like VR and AR, it’s clear that they’re only going to become bigger in the future.