Analysis, Fan Data, Football, Rugby, Sports Data, Sports Fan Data

FanWide Football Fan Survey Results – Your New Favorite Sport is Probably Rugby

 

Photo Courtesy of Olga Guryanova

FanWide, the world’s largest fan club network, has compiled and analyzed the data for our football survey and the results are in! The topics we chose to research were centered around the similarities and differences of football and rugby. Rugby is similar to football in many ways – such as some of the strategy, the physicality, but also different where it counts like stoppage times. Below are some of the highlights that were produced from your responses to show why rugby may be your new favorite sport.  You can also find local rugby watch parties with FanWide.

Events, Football, watch party

FanWide Celebrity Game Watch Party Recap – Watch with Cliff Avril

Here at FanWide (www.FanWide.com), we connect sports fans near and far. One of our primary ways to bring these digital communities together in the real world are through in-person game watch parties at sports bars. On December 16th, 2018, FanWide hosted a celebrity watch party with Seattle Seahawks football legend Cliff Avril.

First Halftime Raffle Winner
Halftime Raffle Winner | Photo courtesy of Tony Mihovilovich
Fan Clubs, Football, watch party

New Orleans Saints NFL Watch Parties & Fan Club Events for NO

There are few teams in football that command as much respect as the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees is making a case to be acknowledged as the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) as he continues to lead the Saints in a record-setting career year. Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and Michael Thomas are Brees’ weapons of choice, together helping the Saints achieve one of the best records in the league.

The Saints’ recent tradition of success is no coincidence. The story goes like this. The Saints are more than an elite NFL team. They are a symbol of New Orleans, a city with one of the most unique cultures in the world. Following Hurricane Katrina, 80% of New Orleans was underwater. The Saints, displaced themselves, were looked at as a beacon of hope for the devastated city. Along came a young quarterback named Drew Brees, and the Saints hoisted the Lombardi Trophy four years later.

Visit FanWide.com to find a New Orleans Saints game watch party or fan club near you.

Fan Clubs, Football, watch party

New York Giants NFL Watch Parties & Fan Club Events for NYG

The New York Giants have struggled as of late. After a 3-13 2017 campaign, the Giants currently sit at 2-7. And yet, week after week, their stadium is full. The Giants are unique in that they possess a quality that most other professional football teams could only dream of: perpetual relevancy. Despite their objective failure in the past two seasons, the Giants remain one of the most popular professional teams for three main reasons. Primarily, the New York sports market is both the largest and one of the most lucrative markets in the country.

Even while consistently losing, the Giants can always rely on thorough and exciting media coverage that reaches the entire country. Secondly, the Giants remain relevant because some of the most polarizing stars in the sport always seem to find their way to the team. Players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins always find a way to remain in the spotlight. Love them or hate them, nobody can stop watching them play.

And finally, perhaps the most important contributor to the Giants’ reputation is their fans. Year in and year out, Giants fans keep showing up to games and engaging in the community. Whether they are enjoying success or toughing out failure, you’ll be hearing about the Giants. Their fans and their city will make sure of it.

Visit FanWide.com to find a New York Giants game watch party or fan club near you.

Fan Clubs, Football, watch party

Minnesota Vikings NFL Watch Parties & Fan Club Events for MIN

The sudden rise of the Minnesota Vikings is no coincidence. With the acquisition of Kirk Cousins and the emergence of the elite pass-catching duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, the Vikings are gearing up for something special. As the season progresses, the Vikings will look to make a playoff push, and, to make it to the big stage, they’ll need their fans behind them.

Visit FanWide.com to find a Minnesota Vikings game watch party or fan club near you.

Fan Clubs, Football, watch party

Chicago Bears NFL Watch Parties & Fan Club Events for CHI

The Chicago Bears are a franchise steeped in history, and with a new and improving roster, fans have been given the privilege of focusing on the future- not just the past. How did the Bears become so iconic? A history of frightening defenses and exciting skill-position players? Maybe. A series of SNL skits and an eccentric former coach? Probably. It really doesn’t matter how the Bears became a national brand- they are one. On any given Sunday at Soldier Field, you might find yourself running into Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, or even former President Barack Obama. With a sudden rise in talent, the Bears seem to be getting back on track, and fans everywhere are preparing to flock to the windy city to see “Da Bears” as their team gets closer and closer to emulating their former self.

Visit FanWide.com to find a Chicago Bears game watch party or fan club near you.

Analysis, Events, Soccer, watch party, World Cup

Insight into 2018 World Cup Public Watch Parties

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.

All, Analysis, Events, Hockey, Uncategorized, watch party

Why would the NHL Limit Viewership for Game Watch Parties?

You would almost think Bill Wirtz had risen from the grave to formulate the National Hockey League’s broadcast plan.  The late Chicago Blackhawks owner, known as “Dollar Bill”, refused to put his team’s home games on the local TV broadcasts, slowing the growth of local support.  His short-sightedness echoed in the NHL’s efforts in recent years to restrict viewing parties — you know, those huge, public events where fans go to whip themselves into a fervor over the product the NHL is trying to sell.

Some people wonder why the NHL wants to limit viewership. Watch parties are perfect for certain segments of fandom: those who can’t afford to watch in person but want the communal experience; bandwagon jumpers (who just might get hooked); and folks who live out-of-market or are traveling.  FanWide has the world’s largest database of sports fan clubs, making it easy for NHL fans to find the closest game watch party, wherever they live or travel.

FanWide's Hockey Fans
FanWide’s Hockey Fan Map
Analysis, Events, Uncategorized, watch party

Losing Net Neutrality will Increase the Cost of Watching Sports

It is common knowledge now that the FCC chose to repeal net neutrality laws in the United States. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of net neutrality, it is a set of rules intended to ensure all Internet traffic is treated equally. With the removal of rules regulating the actions of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), big communication conglomerates such as Comcast or Spectrum have the potential to control what consumers have access to on the Internet, and charge different tiered prices for different services.

All, Basketball, Events, Football, Hockey, watch party

Traveling for the Holidays? Find a Watch Party Wherever You Go

The holiday season is upon us, and many people take advantage of this time to travel. After a long 2017, it’s nice to ring in the New Year with family, holiday celebration, vacation – and sports!  Find FanWide Events in your area here!

FanWide’s Events Map (12/21/17)

If you are taking time off for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, or your own holiday festivities, make sure to use FanWide. FanWide’s website (www.FanWide.com) or app (iOS & Android) can help you find a local place to watch your games while you are away from home.