Public viewing parties have become increasingly prevalent in professional sports in recent years. Specifically, for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, television broadcasts often cut to public viewing parties when teams score goals. These large public viewing parties are usually for big soccer events. However, very seldom do we see public viewing parties for popular American sports like basketball, football, baseball or hockey. Instead in the US, we have watch parties at bars or restaurants. FanWide can help you find local watch parties for your favorite teams. Check out this previous post for A Definitive History of World Cup Game Watch Parties.
Analysis
Home Field Advantage for Countries Hosting the World Cup
This year’s FIFA World Cup has gotten off to a super exciting start. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick against Spain, to Iceland’s shocking draw against Lionel Messi and Argentina, to Mexico’s stunning victory over the defending champion Germany, there has been no shortage of instant classic games. One of the most notable results from this first slate of games is that Russia, the host country for this year’s iteration of the event, blitzed Saudi Arabia in a 5-0 win to open the tournament and followed it up with a convincing 3-1 win against Egypt. Could home field advantage have played big a role in this result and if so, could it mean bigger things are to come for this Russian side?
The US Missed Their Chance… Who to Root for in the 2018 World Cup?
Although it seems like soccer is at an all-time high in terms of popularity in the United States, the fandom couldn’t help the US Men’s National Team in the World Cup Qualifiers this year. The USMNT finished 5th out of 6 teams in the Hexagonal round of the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, a finish that failed to qualify them for the 2018 World Cup. However difficult it may be to stomach, 32 other national teams will travel to Russia. But, who’s jersey should you wear as you watch for hours on end? What colors should you paint your face? Which team do you think will hoist the 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy in Moscow?
We Should All Admire the Washington Capitals’ Breakthrough
The Vegas Golden Knights have received a lot of attention during this NHL season and postseason. This is for very good reason, as their success to make it to the Stanley Cup is absolutely unprecedented for an expansion team. But it would be remiss not to acknowledge the Washington Capitals. Their breakthrough to the Stanley Cup Finals has been nothing short of astounding and has been huge not only for them but for the city of Washington DC.
Visit FanWide.com to find a Washington Capitals game watch party or fan club near you.
The Success of the Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have played one complete NHL regular season and are already making the franchise’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ve built a brand out in the desert of Nevada. Historically, expansion teams in American sports struggle in their opening years like the Toronto Raptors, Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Texans. However, the Golden Knights have broken the curse.
In the 2017-2018 NHL season, their inaugural season, the Golden Knights boasted an astonishing 51 wins, securing the top place in the Pacific Division, and a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Currently, they are up 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Washington Capitals. This situation begs a few major questions. How did the Vegas Golden Knights accomplish so much in their first season of NHL play? And what are the implications of their success?
Visit FanWide.com to find a Las Vegas Golden Knights game watch party or fan club near you.
Does Nationwide Interest In A Team Move With Its Best Players?
Two weeks ago, the New York Mets traded Matt Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds for Devin Mesoraco and cash. While Harvey’s star has dimmed as he’s struggled with injuries the past few seasons, there was a time where he was one o the best pitchers in baseball, the Dark Knight who started at the all-star game. As a Mets fan myself, Harvey became one of my favorite players on a series of underperforming Mets teams, and made each game he pitched a must-watch experience. While this trade made sense from a baseball standpoint, it was a disappointing experience for me because of my affection with Harvey as a player, and although my Mets fandom will not sway, I will definitely be following the Reds more closely, especially on days where Harvey pitches. This made me wonder, how much does the movement of star players influence fans’ interest in the teams they root for?
Enjoying the End of the European Soccer Season
There are about two weeks left in the European Soccer Season. Still left to play are the final match weeks in La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1, while the English Premier League and Bundesliga wrapped up league play this past weekend. However, the domestic cups, the FA Cup Final and DFB-Pokal Final are this coming week. Then of course, the following weekend comes the pinnacle of European football. On Wednesday, May 16, the UEFA Europa League final between Olympique de Marseille and Atlético Madrid will play out in Lyon, France. Finally, on Saturday, May 26, the UEFA Champions League kicks off between attack-minded Liverpool FC and defending champions Real Madrid CF in Kiev, Ukraine. The best part of all this action is that FanWide will provide you fans with an optimal viewing experience to enjoy the end of the 2018 European soccer season.
Where to Watch the Best NBA Playoffs We’ve Seen in Years
Perhaps the biggest knock against the NBA playoffs over the past few seasons has been its predictability. The same two teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, have met in the finals for the past three seasons, leaving the postseason devoid of suspense. Last year, those teams lost one game combined on their road to the finals. This year, however, things are different. While the Cavs and Warriors are both still in the hunt, a host of new competitors have led to some fascinating series and a fourth consecutive finals meeting between those two teams is very much in doubt. This blog will show you where to watch every game with a local fan club.
Visit FanWide.com to find a NBA watch party or fan club near you.
Big Stories from the 2018 NFL Draft for NFL Fans
At FanWide, we love the NFL Draft because it allows for fan clubs to reunite and get fired up for the next NFL season. Every Spring, just as the NFL season starts to leave the minds of heartbroken fans, the NFL Draft comes to provide new hope. If you missed the action from Dallas this past weekend, read about some of the important and exciting picks made by some teams.
How to Maximize Your 2018 NBA Playoffs Game Watching Experience
The 2018 NBA Playoffs are officially underway! We have already seen the topsy-turvy regular season spill over into the postseason. The seemingly red-hot Portland Trail Blazers were upset at home by Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans in game one of their best of seven game series. Additionally, the Boston Celtics were brutally tested by the Milwaukee Bucks in an overtime thriller, in which Boston eventually prevailed. And finally, perhaps the biggest story from the first weekend of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten by 18 points at home by the Indiana Pacers. Evidently, the first weekend has already proven that this year’s playoffs will be like no other. Four and five game series are seldom likely to be found for the 2018 NBA Playoffs. This is very different from last year where more than half of the series in the playoffs were finished in either four or five games.
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