Sports & recreation

Big sporting events - what makes the atmosphere what it is?

Sports & recreation

Posted by: CafestudyAdmin

10th Jul 2013 04:57pm

This arvo at the cafestudy offices we are talking about and have all agreed that you just can't beat the atmosphere at really big sporting events! But we can't put our fingers on exactly why! So please help us out - what do you think makes the atmosphere so special and what makes some matches have a better atmosphere than others? Is it the crowd or the lead up, or something else?

Comments 81

Anonymous
  • 11th May 2017 07:06pm

Crowds and their exciting nature

marty
  • 20th Nov 2016 02:50pm

Today it's the golf ⛳️ and I know some people say that it's boring but if you play this is the best free classes you will ever get, to be there watching and seeing the choices of clubs they use and to discuss with other like minded people at the game is great plus I record it at home so I can rewatch some parts again.

BIGTED 1954
  • 22nd Aug 2016 11:23am

The People

bliss18
  • 18th Jul 2016 02:29pm

The excitement lots of people lots of fun barracking for your side,love the action if close it keeps you on an adrenalin run

Assaya
  • 8th Jul 2016 03:10pm

According to Psychology - it's mass crowd mentality. Similar to hysteria. One can be easily swept up and carried along with it. It takes away the individual's ability to think for themselves and to stop any auto reactions because the power of suggestion and the feeling of euphoria is all around them and the power to be swept along is equivalent to a large waves. Most people can't or won't fight it.

According to Physics - it's an energy form - a very strong force that - if harnessed, can run a multitude of things because - as we all know from High School Science - energy never dies but it transforms.

rob
  • 31st May 2016 11:33am

The vibe put out by the crowd ranges through a series of emotions and dynamics. It creates the feeling at the ground which is changing as the game ebbs and flows. The vibe depends ion the sport and the people there to some extent.


amy29954862
  • 18th May 2016 10:52pm

The atmosphere itself. The crowd, the team colours surrounding you. Everyone there for the same reasons.

archer
  • 28th Apr 2016 02:41pm

The combination of the crowd and atmosphere depending on the importence of the game

Timbo
  • 24th Feb 2016 05:43pm

I hate big sporting events. In fact I am not interested in sporting events at all, like most Australians. I attended a Rugby League event as a teenager and there were full cans of beer flying everywhere on "The Hill". It was dangerous. I never went back and won't - ever! Judging by recent news reports of some sporting events, not much has changed about crowd behaviour in 50 years.

squeekums
  • 2nd May 2015 12:30pm

The noise, the love of the team and the sport
the best atmosphere comes at big rivalry matches, like showdowns (go power)

ozziedigger
  • 2nd May 2015 10:43am

It`s ingrained into the human psyche after centuries of gladiators went to the arena
to do battle against the underdogs of society or the lion prides. Who will win ? the underdogs or the emperor`s champions ? Will Caesar have to give the thumbs up to the --- who ??.
That may be all bs ,but is indicative of present day crowd behaviour . Let the games begin, i say.

paraic
  • 21st Jan 2015 01:47pm

its a combination of the crowd in numbers and the noise they make. the excitement of the sport itself if you go you must have an interest either seeing the sport or the team you support. also who you go with a bunch of all male friends tend to be loud and boisterous or a group of ladies all together. people tend to make a day of it meet up prior for a few drinks and soak up the excitement in and around the venue

bennickpipi
  • 1st Jul 2014 05:46pm

definitely the crowd itself!! imagine you are the only one watching, and then imagine there are thousands of ppl. doesn't it make a difference

Anonymous
  • 15th Jun 2014 04:05pm

Yes I does

emmaasue
  • 20th May 2014 07:48am

It's definitely the people. All of the excited energy. People are happy to be out supporting their team, they're probably with a group of friends, and everyone will feed off each other's energy. It's great fun :)

jjdrer
  • 19th May 2014 12:17pm

I know this isn't actually the right spot for this.
Sir Jack Brabham, Australian and International Champion of Formula One in Motorsport passed away at his home on the Gold Coast this morning.

benny74
  • 15th May 2014 03:54pm

i reckon its because of the comraderie of like minded people in their masses. your home crowd is much more fun than an opposition one, win lose or draw. like horses and dogs, we're social animals but once we've congregated together we have to sort out a pecking order. christmas wouldn't be as fun if we just got on facebook with the family.......but once we all get together, noones doubts that grandma is the boss, plus all the niggle between other family members (surely its not just my family). sport gives us an opportunity to gloat at the minority as an equal unit.........if we lose, there's so many of us feeling similarly that we can ignore the one or two, who are giving us heaps.....but when we're the winners at an away stadium, aint it fun giving it to 20000 people without remorse or repercussion?

BigJoe
  • 14th May 2014 09:10pm

One element that stands out for me is nostalgia - I went to many games as a child and it was so exciting - such an adventure! Each time I go and particularly when I take my kids, I remember the feeling of adventure.

Anonymous
  • 13th May 2014 01:18pm

Special team for special people--making everything special to attract people joining in. Although it will cost a lot, it will get best result--ardour.

matu
  • 12th May 2014 02:02pm

The crowd definitely has a big involvement in sporting events. You see when a player is running down the field about to score a goal and even the crowd is quiet and the second the ball gets inside that goal the crowd screams and cries with the player

frannymanny
  • 5th May 2014 06:23pm

I have never been to a match and have no interest in doing so. I did support my son's local footy club when he was playing up to under14. I also supported his school games but unless I have a family member participating in a sport I would not go to watch.

AK_Calvin
  • 24th Apr 2014 10:52am

It's the people around you and the pride that you have on your team that makes you excited.

Anonymous
  • 21st Apr 2014 06:52pm

The intensity, the community and sense of being apart of something greater. The feeling of belonging and support not only for the team you've come to see but for every other person who shares that passion !

Anonymous
  • 19th Apr 2014 10:56pm

Theres a lot that makes a good Sporting Event. The FOOD, the alcohol, the passion for home ground and home team. The reason the atmosphere is so great at theses events is because you have a large amount of people all of who have a deep passion for the game they are watching, add that with some excitement and a little bit of alcohol and it's what makes a sporting event so fun and rowdy and LOUD! A good sporting event also has great lead up advertisements weeks before to get fans excited as possible for the day.

jjdrer
  • 19th May 2014 12:49pm

It depends what sport it is. It isn't appreciated at some such as Tennis. You will often hear the referee call "quiet please" The players need to be able to hear the calls of the referee and also it probably distracts the players.

Anonymous
  • 16th Apr 2014 11:00pm

I go to a lot of sporting games the biggest way to bring a great atmosphere is having a brilliant MC/ announcer, getting the crowd amped, at a basketball game "DEFENCE DEFENCE DEFENCE" doing the mexican wave, getting everyone on their feet yelling and screaming with passion

Anonymous
  • 9th Apr 2014 11:33pm

I think it is definitely the lead up and hype to the event, take the Melbourne Cup Carnival for one, the lead up to the event is what everyone is talking about, it is in all the papers, even the arrival of the overseas horse is on the news.

Alana13
  • 9th Apr 2014 09:34pm

The atmosphere is created by all the excitement of the people. With major sporting events like afl games people's competitive sides really come out. They are not technically a part of the team but by going to a match and supporting their team it gives people the chance to get excited and compete with others which everyone loves! And the fun!

Anonymous
  • 30th Mar 2014 08:33pm

The fact that something really important is on the line weather it be for bragging rights or silverware

Pitto
  • 27th Mar 2014 04:47pm

I think has to do with feeling like your a part of it you watch your team and everyone is backing or against you and your team. everybody is creating the atmosphere with there positive and aggression to push there team forward in the battle to win

squeekums
  • 25th Mar 2014 10:07pm

The crowd, the passion for the team just echos
The roar when a goal is kicked that just cant be beat

Anonymous
  • 24th Mar 2014 05:00pm

To me all depend in the quality of players involbe; plusif the crowd feel like are part of the event;

Anonymous
  • 23rd Mar 2014 11:50pm

I think the atmosphere at sporting events is a combination of concepts specific event i.e regular game compared to the grand final. The crowd and size of crowd also iand location with respect to factors to "Home Ground" or Away games.

Estrella
  • 23rd Mar 2014 07:39pm

I think is the participants in the sport and the expectation that will accomplish the hope you have put on them to win.

s
  • 2nd Mar 2014 04:23pm

Nothing beats a grand final, went to the NRL one about nine or ten years ago when the tigers won. Nothing beats the noise of 80, 000 people cheering when they get near the goal area and the lead up to the game and the entertainment offered through out the game. Also the lead up to to the finish of the game who will win this atmosphere and waiting for the game to finish.
Also seeing the trophy come in by helicopter.

Anonymous
  • 26th Feb 2014 10:24am

I think that the atmosphere is solely produced by the mass crowds and spectators being extremely excited in one place.

mick91
  • 23rd Feb 2014 05:16pm

Its the atmosphere the crowd provides with all the passion coming from supporters for their team

Angelo
  • 21st Feb 2014 11:32am

It's definitely the camaraderie in the crowd that makes the atmosphere in the crowd; a group of people with just as much passion and interest in the same thing as you really gets you going.

pachnco
  • 17th Feb 2014 11:58am

I get goosebumps watching live Tv and just seeing the crowd simultaneously jump and cheer as soon as a 90min winner hits the back of the net in a big football match. So, my skin would probably go berserk if I were at the stadium. It's that "in-sync" feeling of celebration and fanaticism you have with the strangers around you who support the same one thing. When you cheer, they cheer. And witnessing thousands of people around the ground do the same, it's really something.

Kilifarskiq
  • 16th Feb 2014 01:37pm

The crowd, the important a of the event,

sharksforlife17
  • 14th Feb 2014 10:56pm

The fans.

Superjo
  • 13th Feb 2014 09:27am

Definitely the atmosphere and especially when the crowd gets involved - there is nothing better than the cheering of the crowd to get everyone in the mood

frannymanny
  • 31st Jan 2014 04:30pm

I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was always about Community and cameraderie.

jjdrer
  • 19th May 2014 12:46pm
I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was...

Too True! I agree with you wholeheartedly. It is sad that there is a lot of politics in sport today. It saddens me that a lot of parents let their kids play sport but never bother to go and watch them participate. Consequently if one of the regulars who usually "transports" players when playing away from home is unable to do so, somebody has to be asked to help out. I can understand it be a problem where a parent who has to work weekends while the other one looks after the little ones especially in bad weather they prefer not to take them out in, especially for outdoor sports. But some just don't bother. They would rather just do their own thing. I have heard it said quite a few times, including parents of other girls I played netball with on Saturday afternoons. In many cases, had their child been injured they would have to be home to be advised. This was pre mobile phones.

Bono
  • 31st Jan 2014 01:20pm

It is definitely the people who attend the event. The cheering. The chatter. The noise. All of it contributes to a sense of inclusiveness and part of a group. It is the unification of the crowd towards the particular sporting event they are currently attending that gives it the atmosphere.

Servalan
  • 24th Jan 2014 08:25pm

The love of the game.. nothing beats an AFL crowd in full force@

annie
  • 6th Dec 2013 10:31am

I think just being there at a big sporting event adds to the atmosphere.I think the crowds getting involved with the game also add to the atmosphere as well and I also think that it can also depend on if its a good close game.

Errol
  • 23rd Aug 2013 06:21pm

competition

Roonsey
  • 22nd Aug 2013 10:02am

There is no doubt that there is a massive atmosphere when attending live events, and it all starts with the build-up a few days out, getting all your friends organised, then meeting up for a few drinks prior to the event, and the excitement of being surrounded by thousands of people all doing the same thing. You can almost smell the atmosphere at a live match or performance, whereas sitting at home it is all quiet and you only have the volume of the TV to give you any sense of atmosphere at all.

wadnsarnsum
  • 15th Aug 2013 12:04pm

Definitely the crowd, which also means a good lead up. If the crowd is happy and excited than the atmosphere will be better. So a good lead up means you have an excited crowd and an excited crowd makes for a good atmosphere.

Anonymous
  • 13th Aug 2013 08:38pm

In a nutshell: mass psychosis

Anonymous
  • 13th Aug 2013 01:38am

It is the excitement on who will win , the idea that you have people barracking for the same team , the thought that you may win or the thought you could not win.

Leon88
  • 11th Feb 2014 07:24pm
I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was...

Could not agree more buzzy

Anonymous
  • 6th Aug 2013 09:15am

Sorry about that! I think it's the people and the actual game being played at the time. When the fans show passion with singing and chanting and flag waving the atmosphere is enhanced. Sometimes it takes a good game to get that out of the fans. I believe if the game is boring and not much is happening then the atmosphere can get a little stale. So in this case the players can play a part in overall atmosphere. But I think fans and people are the most responsible for atmosphere

Anonymous
  • 6th Aug 2013 09:11am

I th

stuyvoes
  • 4th Aug 2013 09:29am

its the tension & excitement of the crowd that makes for a great atmosphere

Anonymous
  • 2nd Aug 2013 10:41am

its the feeling you get when you walk in the mcg you hear the sound of thousands of voices, when a goal gets scored and the crowd goes wild! the pies the beer makes everything ten times better

Anonymous
  • 31st Jul 2013 09:21pm

I believe its the tension and the crowd that creates a great atmosphere, especially if the players are equally matched and very good.

Shell1967
  • 30th Jul 2013 03:18pm

Recently attended the British & Irish Lions game in Sydney. Oh what an atmosphere. The pre-game day out whets your appetite with sing songs and chanting at various venues in the city. The trains ran well for a venue so far out and free transport on the day - hence you get to the game without any hassles and already in a good mood. I never worry about trouble at a rugby game as they supporters take the good with the bad on the chin. The dress up and jerseys of the Lions supporters was superb, so even prior to game start you are excited. So I think its all the pre game atmosphere with sport loving people that makes it so good. Then the lovely win was just a fab bonus!!!

Teerayuth
  • 29th Jul 2013 03:55pm

It's the noise, passion for their team/country. If you go to a match where everyone just sit quietly then you might as well sit and watch from home. It may be that the team that are playing inside the stadium that makes some matches better than others. A match between Manchester united vs Manchester city would make a better quality game and therefore more enjoyable.

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 11:10am

Theres alot that makes a good Sporting Event. The FOOD, the alcohol, the passion for home ground and home team. The reason the atmosphere is so great at theses events is because you have a large amount of people all of who have a deep passion for the game they are watching, add that with some excitment and a little bit of alcohol and it's what makes a sporting event so fun and rowdy and LOUD! A good sporting event also has great lead up advertisments weeks before to get fans excited as possible for the day.

jjdrer
  • 19th May 2014 12:34pm
I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was...

let's not give sports a bad reputation with bad behaviour - drunkenness, fighting, drugs or whatever the case may be. media always seem to have their cameras on something bad in the crowd or at least report on it. The media sometimes print articles without checking the facts first. Many years ago a spectator at a speedway meeting bragged that she had slept with him at her place the night before. Little did she know that his family was sitting in front of her and because of home repairs they had all slept in a sleepout that night, him included. The door always squeaked loudly and his Mum had a habit of not sleeping the night before racing too.
When there was a tragic accident at Mallala Motorsport Park awhile ago as is law, the Police were called. Either somebody was listening to their radio s via scanners or somebody tipped the media off. They arrived and started bugging the officials for an interview saying they would respect the privacy of the driver's family. But they wanted to photogragh the car. Respect I think not.!! The reply from all the officials was "no comment". In the end they were told to leave by the Manager of the Officials for the day. It is a wonder they didn't find and film the driver's family as they were there. One media report was that it was caused by a medical problem which was not correct.

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 11:10am

Theres alot that makes a good Sporting Event. The FOOD, the alcohol, the passion for home ground and home team. The reason the atmosphere is so great at theses events is because you have a large amount of people all of who have a deep passion for the game they are watching, add that with some excitment and a little bit of alcohol and it's what makes a sporting event so fun and rowdy and LOUD! A good sporting event also has great lead up advertisments weeks before to get fans excited as possible for the day.

Anonymous
  • 18th Aug 2013 08:01pm
I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was...

The fans you have at a stadium are usually more die hard than others, which is why we are happy to pay to be in that up-paced, high tension atmosphere

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 12:48am

The supporters of the teams are a big role in creating the great atmosphere at sporting events. When supporters cheer and yell and make funny remarks about the teams, other supporters from the other side begin to cheer as an act of trying to make THEIR team louder and supportive.

Also, the way games are played, play a good part in creating a special environment because if the scores are close, the audience are more on their toes due to the intensity of the game... In some cases fights may start from within the game which make the crowd go crazy making an even crazy environment.

MaryP
  • 22nd Jul 2013 09:18pm

Agreed, it's the people and the feeling of being part of something bigger than just yourself or your immediate circle. We are social animals who like to belong and are attracted to others who are similar or think similarly/share same beliefs and sporting events allow people from throughout society to connect.
I think there is also something about the physicality of it all. Again, we are born to move and in sporting events we witness the human body working at its peak and I think that stirs something in people as well.

talikarng
  • 15th Jul 2013 08:40pm

Definitely the people. Went to a blockbuster game one Saturday afternoon with my wife and we were walking towards the gate, everything seemed normal, supporters from both sides heading in - nothing unusual about that except we were a fraction late and as we got within about 100 metres of the ground and then it hits us - THE CROWD! What a noise, that's when we felt the atmosphere and as we entered the stadium it was even better. We had to stand as no seats left but that made it even better. Great game and my team won.

Anonymous
  • 14th Jul 2013 10:43am

The people and the amount of people in a stadium are definitely the first thing that gets you going. But also your passion for the game. I have been to a stadium with not as many people as my usual stadium and my team wasn't playing. I was not feeling it at first but as the game went on the atmosphere ramped up and the game was close I was getting really involved and loving it.

Anonymous
  • 12th Jul 2013 08:37am

I believe it is because of the people we go to watch, our idols. Everyone wants to see there team or athlete win, everyone is filled with excitement for there idols. the crowd screaming and waving there flags only makes it more interesting and makes you want your team or athlete to win even more. all this excitement plus 20 to a few thousand more screaming supporters makes the atmosphere for me.

Anonymous
  • 11th Jul 2013 12:33pm

It's the people! The food, and what you make of it. Once I went to a football game, and there were 93,000 people. Every time a team scored, there would be either a Rawr of cheering, or a roar of booing, either way one out did the other. Next is the food, the food is not cheap at all. It makes you spend a-lot just to satisfy your hunger while watching a 3-4 hour game. :)

s
  • 21st Sep 2014 12:45pm
I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was...

I agree you can't beat the atmosphere I went to the AFL Sydney game against Richmond on August 30th 2014 and our team Richmond won!
It was only the second AFL live game that I have been to.
So I have been when Richmond lost to Sydney a couple of years ago and when they beat them this year.
What a difference much better at the game than watching it on TV at home.

Anonymous
  • 5th Aug 2014 05:53pm
I have never been to a really big sporting event..
I played in school sports teams and enjoyed it. I enthusiastically supported my children's sports teams too.
For me the pleasure was...

:D

Shue
  • 20th Jun 2014 07:26am
Definitely the crowd.Been to a AFL grand final even if your team isn't in it the atmosphere is electric, the build up to the event whatever it is is great.

It is the players and most of all the crowd and supporters!

benny74
  • 15th May 2014 03:56pm
Definitely the crowd.Been to a AFL grand final even if your team isn't in it the atmosphere is electric, the build up to the event whatever it is is great.

i dont know your team is smoke, but when i find a decent feed at the footy, i'll stop buying the $8 beers lol

tassa
  • 5th May 2014 06:56pm
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

Definitely the crowd.Been to a AFL grand final even if your team isn't in it the atmosphere is electric, the build up to the event whatever it is is great.

timshuffleking
  • 25th Apr 2014 07:17pm
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when your team is down your hope comes up

Anonymous
  • 26th Feb 2014 01:30am
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

I Agree completely, with a large amount of people, going for two separate teams or two separate people, there is always going to be that sort of goose bump feeling! It's also what you make of it, if you go there to have a good time then you are going to have a bliss time. However on the other hand, if you go to a large sporting event with a bad attitude, not wanting to be there in the first place for example, you aren't going to feel the same sort of vibe or atmosphere.

Davatar
  • 20th Feb 2014 11:28am
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

Exactly the same, when I went to Belgium for a football, game it was the fans that made the game worth watching. Just the way they poured their heart and sole into the game.

Anonymous
  • 18th Aug 2013 07:55pm
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

I agree entirely, the biggest influence is the people in the stadium with you, a small gathering doesn't create a big atmosphere, but with 80,000 people screaming 'go,go,go', creates a team feeling even amongst fans, along with the lights, music, and live commentation, you get an excitement that is second to none, ofcourse the bars help, haha

Anonymous
  • 15th Jul 2013 08:56am
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

:D

Anonymous
  • 15th Jul 2013 08:02am
yeah i think its the foo and the lead up and the crowd you go into them expecting your team to perform their best and when they score a goal or a point your get so much more excited
and when...

couldn't agree with you any more!

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