Sport Spectator Consumption and Sustainable Management of Sport Event Tourism; Fan Motivation in High Performance Sport and Non-Elite Sport. A Case Study of Horseback Riding and Running: A Comparative Analysis

Understanding the sociodemographic characteristics and motivations of participants in contemporary sports events is important for event organizers, host cities and tourist destinations who seek to acquire rights to organise sports events of various types. It is also important to know what functions sporting events have for fans—their needs, thanks to passive sports consumption, are now being met. This research was conducted to broaden knowledge about fan motivation of participation in individual high-performance and non-elite sport and to analyse the differences between them. The case study was a running event of mass character (the 6th edition of half-marathon held in Poznań, Poland) and a horseback riding elite event (“Cavaliada”, held in Poznań, Poland). The empirical research among fans of these disciplines conducted during popular running and horseback riding Polish events allowed to characterise the sociodemographic profile of fans of individual mass and elite sports and the motivations of passive sports consumption. The motives were divided into four groups connected with social, experiential, factual and results orientation. We used a standardised interview technique and diagnostic survey method. 1328 sports fans participated in our study (510 fans of half-marathon [non-elite sport] and 818 fans of Cavaliada [high performance sport]). We developed a self-constructed questionnaire according to the motivation typology of Freyer and Gross. Research results indicate that supporters of individual mass and elite sports have thoroughly different motivations. On 14 examined motives, 13 statistically significant differences were found. Moreover, the article presents the division of motivation among female and male supporters, young people, elderly people, local (hosts) and sport tourist supporters. The research has shown what the sociopsychological impact of watching sports competition on fans of various categories is. For example, what is the motivation of sports tourists (N = 764) to participate in mass and elite sports events. We also investigated the influence of participation in sporting events in the level of life satisfaction and the impact of running and horse event in destination image (Poznań) in the opinion of supporters.

Exploring expatriate fan identification in international football supporters

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine international football supporter behaviours within the context of national and socio-cultural identification, in an effort to better understand what role national identity plays in fan motivation and consumer behaviour for expatriate and non-domestic fans. Design/methodology/approach International football supporters across ten cultural and ethnic communities were surveyed throughout the 2014 Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup Finals, exploring the identification and new media socialisation behaviours of national team supporters in non-domestic markets. Findings The study’s findings provide evidence of the role identification plays in informing national and ethnic identities. Supporting one’s home or ancestral national team reflects an important element of national identification and socio-cultural place for expatriate or non-domestic supporters of international football. Importantly, new media behaviours provide supporters with a formative and productive source of national team fan engagement and ethnocultural community creation, particularly for younger target audiences. Practical implications These results bear particular significance for theory and practice: the digital socialisation behaviours supporters engage in are integral components of identity building and communication. In better understanding the awareness and interest of geographically detached sport consumers, this study offers new perspective into the opportunities present for sport organisations and marketers in reaching non-domestic fan nations. Originality/value The findings offer new perspective into the role national identification plays in fan involvement and motivation, and importantly how new media has emerged as a key platform for expatriate and non-domestic supporter socialisation amongst international football supporters.

SOCCER FANS' MOTIVATION AS A PREDICTOR OF PARTICIPATION IN SOCCER-RELATED ACTIVITIES: AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION IN ISRAEL

This study tested the applicability of the Sport Fan Motivation Scale (SFMS) developed by Wann (1995) in the Israeli soccer setting. The study examined whether the scale can be applied to soccer specifically, not just to sport in general. It also tested the predictive validity of the SFMS by developing a scale of participation in soccer activities and examined several hypotheses regarding its relationship to the SFMS. The sample consisted of 327 high school students in the north of Israel (an 86% response rate). The findings showed that the SFMS predicted a significant amount of variance of participation in soccer activities. Results of regression analyses showed that eustress (positive stress), self-esteem, group, and aesthetic motivations were strongly related to active participation in soccer activities. Entertainment, self-esteem, and economic motivations were strongly related to passive participation in soccer activities. The findings are discussed in terms of their conceptual and practical contributions.

Family Status, Preference for Sport Aggressiveness, and Sport Fan Motivation

This study tested two hypotheses involving the use of sport spectating as an opportunity to spend time with one's family. First, it was hypothesized that scores on Family Motivation would be higher for fans who were married or had children than for unmarried fans without children. Second, it was predicted that among sport fans who were married or had children, those preferring a Nonaggressive sport would report higher scores on Family Motivation than those preferring an Aggressive sport. Analysis confirmed the first hypothesis while refuting the second.