Spectator sport

Most popular sports are both spectator and participant, for example association football, basketball, cricket, tennis, rugby, golf, athletics and volleyball.Spectator sports have built their own set of culture and traditions including, in the United States, cheerleading, team mascots, and pre-game and half time entertainment such as fireworks, particularly for big games such as competition decider events and international tests.The passion of some sports fans also means that there are occasionally spectator incidents.The North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) devotes much of their annual conference to research addressing the psychology behind a desire to view spectator sports, and how it might be leveraged to increase demand.Much of the research focuses on exploiting a need for vicarious achievement, and a desire within the spectator to project a public image through a declaration of team allegiance.
An association football match being watched by a large audience
Spectators watch on at the annual Independence Day (United States) foot race in Alma, Colorado, 1800s.
Spectators watch on at the annual Independence Day (United States) foot race in Alma, Colorado , 1800s.
The Sydney Cricket Ground during a test match
A Major League Baseball game being played at Yankee Stadium in New York
Independence Day (United States)foot raceAlma, ColoradoSydney Cricket Groundtest matchprofessional sportsamateur sportsrecreationalassociation footballbasketballcrickettennisathleticsvolleyballhuntingbroadcasting of sports eventsUnited Statescheerleadingmascotsfireworksspectator incidentsMajor League BaseballYankee StadiumJacques RancièreList of sports attendance figuresMerriam-WebsterFan loyaltyPhilosophy of sportRacism in sportSports fanSports rivalryBooingCheeringCrowd abuseFight songStadium anthemPitch invasionTrash talkViolenceGroundhoppingHooliganismSports bettingSports tourismBarmy ArmyBeer wenchBeer snakeSledgingCollegiate sport ritualsKiss camSurf cultureTailgate partyAssociation football cultureAustralian rules football cultureFootball chantSports memorabiliaClothingAway coloursThird jerseyThrowback uniformNumberRally capAmerican footballAustralian footballBaseballCyclingIce hockeyEvent programmePennantRally towelSupporter scarfTypes of supporterBarra bravaCasualsHooligan firmRoliganSupporters' trustTifosiTorcedor organizadoUltrasSporting man cultureSports mascotsSports-related cursesTerrace (stadium)Bleacher