US sporting events are growing in popularity across Britain, with 50 percent of sports enthusiasts now hoping to witness a match across the Atlantic in person.
Research involving 2,000 sports fans discovered that 59 percent have developed greater enthusiasm for American sports compared to half a decade ago, attributing this to television broadcasts (37 percent) and the appeal of high-profile athletes (25 percent).
For more than a quarter of those surveyed (27 percent), this enthusiasm emerged following a trip to America.
The Super Bowl (50 percent), NBA Finals (36 percent), and US Open (26 percent) feature among the American sporting events fans are most eager to attend.
The study additionally showed that 56 percent have included watching a US sporting event on their aspirational bucket list.
Chris Gratton, managing director at Ticketmaster Sport, which commissioned the research as part of its State of Play Sports report, explained that American sports have evolved from a specialised interest into a genuine bucket-list experience for British supporters.
Rather than observing from a distance, many now aim to attend occasions such as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, or the US Open.
This transformation indicates a wider exchange in international sport, visible in the NFL’s expanding British audience and prestigious events like the FIFA World Cup taking place in America.
The positive aspect for spectators is that these occasions are increasingly accessible to view live in Britain as their popularity continues to grow.
The investigation also revealed that enthusiasm for live sport extends beyond American events, with 76 percent hoping to watch a match outside Britain.
Those surveyed would travel an average of six hours to attend an overseas fixture and 146 miles within the country.
The findings highlighted the significance of live entertainment for sports enthusiasts, with 22 percent hoping to see more of it integrated into sporting occasions.
More than a quarter (28 percent) stated that elements such as live music enhance the excitement of watching sport, a figure that rises to almost half (45 percent) among Generation Z.
Furthermore, Ticketmaster’s own figures demonstrate that 54 percent of sports fans also attend music concerts, highlighting a substantial connection between these audiences.
Others indicated that upscale stadium seating would improve their experience (30 percent), while food delivered to seats and mobile applications for purchasing drinks also ranked highly (22 percent).
Better stadium infrastructure (32 percent) and increased interactive elements (17 percent) were also identified as significant considerations, according to the OnePoll.com research.
It also came to light that the typical sports fan believes individuals need to attend four live matches annually to qualify as a dedicated supporter.
Chris Gratton from Ticketmaster observed that expectations among spectators regarding live sport are changing.
Attending a match is no longer the sole focus; it involves participating in a larger, more engaging live experience that combines sport with entertainment.
This trend is evident at NFL matches that now travel throughout Europe and have reached unprecedented levels of popularity.