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Report
en_GB
Sports continue to deliver unmatched reach, even as tighter budgets push marketers to be sharper about how they spark connection. With audiences spread across platforms, the real shift isn't diminished…
US
Sports
Marketing and Advertising
simple
US Marketing to Sports Fans Consumer Report 2026
"Sports deliver unmatched reach, but winning now means resonating – creating culture, elevating athletes, and shaping the fan story in real time."
Sports continue to deliver unmatched reach, even as tighter budgets push marketers to be sharper about how they spark connection. With audiences spread across platforms, the real shift isn’t diminished interest – it’s the move from broad exposure to meaningful resonance. Younger, multicultural and identity-driven fans look for brands that add value to the experience, not just occupy space around it. That’s why the biggest opportunities lie in creating the story rather than searching for it: building ecosystems where fandom, culture and community intersect. Athlete personalities now act as engines of modern fandom, giving brands new ways to humanize partnerships and shape participation. While ROI matters more in a tougher economy, the landscape isn’t all risk – sports remain one of the rare places where passion gathers at scale. The challenge is clearing the friction around access and attention, then meeting fans with ideas that feel personal, relevant and worth their time. Brands that lean into co-creation, athlete-led narratives and culturally fluent activations can turn today’s shifting environment into a powerful advantage.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Economic headwinds force ROI-first marketing strategies
Media rights fragmentation: fans everywhere but hard to find
Identity-driven fandom: sports as a cultural mirror
Friction over access eclipses apathy: viewing patterns reconfigure
Brands must be agile: real-time culture, memes and athlete formats win
Brand belonging comes from creation: co-create the narrative with fans and players
For the purposes of this report, a “sports fan” is any respondent who follows at least one of football, basketball, baseball, the Olympics, soccer, boxing/MMA, hockey, tennis, golf, auto racing, or other sports leagues.
NIL goes mainstream: revenue‑sharing era + federal preemption on deck
NBA expansion vote: Seattle & Vegas move from rumor to runway
Sports betting map: Minnesota heating up, Georgia stalls, California slower
THE CONSUMER
Reach is guaranteed; relevance is not
Most fans show up; only some lean in
Sports provide brands a channel to speak to valuable consumers…
Graph 1: men’s and women’s sports following (NET), by age, 2026
… but passion tells us who is most influenced
Graph 2: sports passion, by men’s and women’s sports, 2026
Women’s sports signals player driven passion
Graph 3: attitudes toward players, by men’s and women’s sports fans, 2026
Sephora partners, and expands, with Unrivaled
Portfolios, not just single sponsorships, are essential
Sports are identity systems, not just entertainment channels
Passion grows when things feel personal
Consumers connect and engage with sports in various ways
Fandom is about who you are, not just what you watch
Graph 4: behaviors toward sports, by age, 2026
“Target” the passion of sports hobbyists
Look to “The City” for video game inspiration
GEICO taps Azzi Fudd to rewrite the playbook for athlete storytelling
Following friction, not interest, is the real threat
Fans are adapting their viewing, not abandoning sports
Sports followership remains strong
Graph 5: sports viewing change, 2026
Friction pushes some fans to change how they engage
Graph 6: why consumers are watching sports less, by age, 2026
Buyer beware: the dangers of fragmented viewership
TV is at the core, but streaming grows
Graph 7: sources used to follow sports, by age, 2026
Staying connected no longer requires watching every minute (for some)
Graph 8: top reasons for following sports on social media (% any rank), by age, 2026
Brand agility (and creativity) wins big among fans
Where brands win: social, athletes, and belonging
Belonging is built by creating the story, not borrowing it
Sports culture thrives when stories are shared
Graph 9: attitudes toward future content, by age, 2026
The modern sports‑doc universe: what brands need to know
The modern sports‑doc universe: what brands need to know (cont.)
Turning home viewing into a fan experience
Graph 10: attitudes toward sports formats, by age, 2026
Where smaller leagues unlock bigger creativity
Athletes are the motor to fandom, reach among younger generations
Graph 11: behaviors toward players and merchandise, by age, 2026
Brands stand out when they add to the story, and consumers are calling for it
Graph 12: product categories consumers would like to see integrated within sports, by age, 2026
Creativity thrives beyond the usual playbook
APPENDIX
Market definition
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – US
US generation groups
Abbreviations and terms
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