JOE DENTON
Guest Post

Attendance at sporting events is huge, with Major League Baseball alone bringing in more than 70 million fans annually. Not everyone goes to watch the game though. In fact, there are a number of reasons people attend sporting events besides the event itself. The environment created by the crowd is something that you can’t experience while watching at home, and this experience is what keeps the fans coming back. We’ve compiled a list of the top reasons people attend sporting events, other than watching the game.

1.  Meeting People and Socializing

Whether it’s the friends you brought to the event or the people sitting on your left or right –sporting events bring people together. Maybe it’s the common interest in (or hatred of) a team that starts the conversation or simply enjoying a nice beer with a stranger. Whatever the reason, talk to any event-goer and you’re bound to hear a story or two about mid-game encounters with some interesting folks.

2. Halftime Shows

Who doesn’t enjoy a good halftime show? Sure, the acts can be cheesy or just plain horrible sometimes (Black Eyed Peas, anyone?), but they can also be quite entertaining. A good halftime show can engage the crowd and keep them happy while the teams are resting up and preparing second half strategy.

3. Promotions and Giveaways

Free stuff – ‘nuff said. Though the odds might be slim, there’s always the chance that you could walk away with some cool swag – or even a car – if you’re lucky. Not to mention, you could get the opportunity to walk onto the field/court and make a fool of yourself as you try to accomplish a ridiculous task in front of thousands of people.

4. Talking Smack

People – especially sports fans – are competitive by nature. When you put fans from opposing teams in the same stadium, there’s bound to be a ton of smack talk. Add in a little alcohol to loosen lips, and you’ve got a recipe for riotous laughter (or maybe just a riot). Diehard fans live and breathe this kind of environment – it’s the perfect chance for them to show some team pride, painted faces and all.

5. Impressing Someone

If you’re trying to impress someone, what better way than to take them out to a ballgame? For some, it’s that cute girl from the bar. For others, it’s that big client. Whoever it is, sporting events are a great way to take someone out and show them a good time. Plus, games cost more than your typical outing (especially VIP sections), so you’re guaranteed to look like a big spender.

Photo: AP

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