I’ve been lucky as a sports fan to experience a variety of fantastic events in a variety of sports.  Small events, large events, most in this country and some outside of this country.    This of course includes football, from high school to college to professional.  I’ve been to traditional rivalries, including the Big Game and the Army Navy game, and attended an NCAA National Championship.  I’ve also been to many NFL games, including playoff games.  No Super Bowl yet, and probably never, as there are no cheap seats at the Super Bowl. I’ve attended many basketball games, college and professional, March Madness, and an NBA final.  I saw a World Series game, a Stanley Cup final, many professional and national team soccer games, including  World Cup games.  I’ve been to the Summer Olympics, and I’ve even been to a Formula 1 race in France.  The focus and intensity of the competitors is consistent across all these events….but what is remarkable is how different the fans are, and how different the fan experience is.  

It would take a long article indeed to cover the experiences of all these sports, so instead I’ll contrast my most recent experiences in the last 3 months, American football, and “futbol” in Europe.   

NFL games are a study in contrasts and extremes. It’s both a beautiful game with amazing athletes, and a brutal game with vicious hitting and terrible injuries. Even the weather provides a great contrast: hot in September, gorgeous fall afternoons in October, then frozen fields with rain, sleet, and snow in December and January.  I find the people attending games are a great contrast as well.  There are fanatics living and dying on every play, and posers, dressed like fans, but really having no interest in the game, just the party before, during, and after. The percentage of these “posers” is not small.     I’m a season ticket holder, and I’m always amazed at the crush of people around me for the first half, who disappear in the second. At the last game, there were 2 people in front of me that did not watch a single play on the field. Dressed to the “T” in the home team’s colors and jerseys, talking, drinking, and social media were the priority. They missed most of the 3^rd quarter and left after half the 4^th quarter (in a close game).   No doubt, the NFL fans take the prize for jersey and gear wearing, plus there’s always some amazing and elaborate outfits.  The NFL tailgate is also a huge part of the scene. Tailgating started with college football, but the NFL fans have continued the tradition.  Elaborate and extensive BBQ’s, music, food and drink.  It’s a trip to just walk through the parking lot.   

The product on the field is good, featuring great athletes making great plays, and a lot of league parity often results in close games. The downside for the fan is high cost, both tickets and concessions. It’s a high burden for the average fan.  My final observation is fan behavior. Most people are gracious, but at no sporting event have I ever seen more boorish behavior, verbal altercations, near fights, and actual fights.  Must be something in those tailgate drinks…

I’ve been attending college football games since I was 9.  There are a lot of similarities with NFL games but a lot of differences too.  Again, Saturday tailgating is a great tradition, and the elaborate layouts give away nothing to the NFL version.  A cool thing when college teams have an in-campus (or close) stadium is walking through beautiful college campuses with many impromptu parties and tailgating.   Definitely gets you in the mood.

I find the largest contrast with the NFL is with the fans in the stadium.  Definitely a higher percentage of people paying attention to the game. And except for the occasional drunk college student, away fans are usually treated graciously and with respect.  Nor have I ever witnessed a physical or verbal altercation at a college game.   Most people have some type of clothing with school colors or symbols, but the percentage of expensive jersey’s is far less than the NFL.  Maybe because star college players don’t play as long for the home team as an established NFL stars (especially in the NIL era).  Food and condiments tend to be cheaper, usually tickets too, but not always. Depending on the game and stadium location, parking prices can be as bad as the NFL.

The product on the field is similar of course, although you definitely notice the difference in athleticism, skill and speed.  Less than 1% of division 1 college players are drafted by the NFL.  Organized cheers add to the atmosphere. But parity is not on the same level as the NFL.  Especially early in the year, before some teams get decimated by injuries, you just never know about an NFL game.  Seems like anybody can beat anybody.   Many college games feature a “power 4” conference power against a weaker team from a lesser conference.  The weaker team wants the payday and willing to be a sacrificial lamb, the strong team wants an easy win.  And they are often lopsided affairs.  But the college game does have its moments, especially with “rivalry” games. There are many traditional rivalries that date back more than 100 years, and they are a unique experience to the college game. 

What do I prefer?  Tough question, but I guess I am more passionate about my college alma mater than my pro team. However, if I have no strong rooting interest, I prefer the NFL game and its extraordinary athletes.

Several months ago I had the opportunity to go to European soccer game in Milan Italy.  This was a Serie A contest (the top division of pro soccer in Italy) at the famous San Siro stadium featuring AC Milan and Napoli.  This was my second professional soccer game in Europe, as I also attended a Scottish first division game in Glasgow some years ago. 

The biggest contrast?  The fans.  Everyone was INTO it.  I saw no posers, nobody left early, and no one seemed to have better things to do on their phone.  The “rooter” section was large, and cheers, singing and gestures were well organized and loud. Spine tingling! Empty seats were rare or non-existent.  

A Goal…..euphoria!  80,000 cheering as one.  Forza Milan!

One interesting observation, most fans wear their team colors, but actual team jerseys were relatively rare.  Maybe due to the expense. Like in the United States, players are paid huge salaries, and authentic gear is expensive (we went to the AC Milan team store).  Tickets were not so bad, so perhaps the game is more accessible to average income fans.  

Contrary to the reputation of the English Premier league, I did not witness any “hooliganism”, or bad fan behavior.   The away fans sitting several rows in front of us received no jeering, or even attention.  

Pre and post game were interesting contrasts as well. Maybe there was “tailgating” but I didn’t see it.  Most fans came by public transportation, bicycles, motor bikes (more on that later) or walked.  For pregame festivities, a large lot was reserved for food trucks, and fans ate, drank, and socialized before the game.  Kind of like a huge street party.  And these were not food trucks like we see in America, these were huge rolling Safeway deli counters, with every conceivable sandwich, pizza, and pasta dish (even hot dogs and hamburgers). Plenty of excellent Vino and birra.  And not surprising since we were in Italy, the food was delicious.  Contrary to the ridiculous prices of stadium food in America, prices were reasonable.

After the game, the streets and sidewalks were absolutely filled with motor bikes and scooters, weaving all over the place, all honking, a cavalcade of noise…pedestrians beware!  Chaos is the most apt description. 

My experience in Glasgow closely mirrored the Milan game. A wonderful and unique experience.   So if you love sports, try something new on your next vacation!