The way football fans engage with their teams is constantly changing – and with it comes fresh ways of thinking about content. We speak with three experts to understand this shift and where sports brands should be paying closer attention.
Once confined to the euphoria of a stadium, fan engagement in football is now a truly round-the-clock, global industry.
The digital revolution of recent years has completely changed the way clubs, leagues, and brands connect with their audiences.
Furthermore, this growth is not merely coincidental but is deeply intertwined with the commercial and content-oriented evolution that has swept through the sport in recent years.
Record-breaking broadcasting deals, major sponsorship agreements, and increased merchandise sales have allowed teams to explore innovative avenues to create better engagement with everyday fans and the most passionate supporters alike.
Clubs and leagues now recognize that their fan base extends far beyond their local fanatics, reaching a worldwide audience hungry for content and experiences that transcend the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Organizations that have recognized that fans are no longer passive consumers but, in fact, active participants in the growth of the club have seen the most success – and now huge Hollywood-like productions can be seen in all different sports and leagues around the world.
This shift towards content-driven engagement not only gets fans closer to their favorite teams and players but also opens up new revenue streams for football entities through partnerships and sponsorships.
How has video content impacted fan engagement in football?
In recent years, the football world has realized the immense potential of quality video content to engage fans, strengthen bonds, and drive commercial success.
More and more frequently, teams are utilizing digital assets, platforms, and media to create more authentic content that brings fans closer to their favorite players.
The rise of quality content
Matthew Barrett, CEO of global storytelling platform Goal Click, says that football brands are investing more than ever in quality content production and that this is shaping the future of fan engagement.
He said: “Fans have become more discerning in recent years,” he explains. “To stand out in the crowded digital landscape, you need to go the extra mile.”
With a global fanbase, football executives are now understanding the importance of maintaining relationships with existing fans while also attracting new ones. Barrett believes that content, particularly documentary-style storytelling, is the way to go and that the value of content extends beyond engaging fans.
“Brands, clubs, leagues, and governing bodies increasingly see the potential for content to drive commercial success,” he continues.
“Many are developing monetizable content series and formats. Specifically, when it comes to brands, they can invest in content that reaches key audiences, even if it’s unrelated to their core business.”
Content helping to change perceptions of football fans
Barrett also highlights the shift in the overall perception of football fans over the past few years: “The growth of women’s football has opened eyes to the inclusivity of the sport. The diversity in age, ethnicity, and gender among fans watching the Lionesses illustrates that being a football fan in 2023 is not limited to any specific demographic.”
Football still faces many challenges, however, and various forms of content can play a role in helping to educate fans on wider societal issues.
“There have been campaigns to make the game more welcoming and inclusive,” he explains. “Our recent partnership with EE for the #HopeBeatsHate campaign is a prime example. In this, we highlight that football can educate society on issues like online sexist abuse and promote inclusivity.”
Exciting avenues for fan engagement
Barrett believes there is still a vast amount of untapped potential when it comes to creating video content to engage with fans. “Fan engagement is at its strongest when you have a captive audience. These intimate-style events provide an authentic connection between fans and their favorite clubs or players.”
The challenge for most brands is how to connect authentically with their target audience through content, rather than sponsoring something on a whim.
“Authenticity, purpose, and long-term commitment are key,” says Barrett. “In the age of social media, audiences can quickly detect insincerity, which can backfire for any team of any size.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of football fan engagement, quality video content emerges as a powerful tool, bringing fans closer to the game, promoting inclusivity, and forging authentic connections between brands and their audiences.
Learn more about how sports organizations can use digital assets to maximize their revenue
How will Web3 change football fan engagement strategies?
For some, emerging technologies such as Web3 are still seen as something of a gimmick, with sports brands simply jumping on the bandwagon. That said, some organizations have seen real success when launching blockchain-based projects.
Richard Johnson, founder of Sports 3.0 and a sports marketing consultant, points out a common but problematic approach when brands look to create authentic fan experiences.
“We shouldn’t make fan engagement decisions solely based on a desire to use Web3 tech,” says Johnson.
“Instead, identify challenges and opportunities and choose the best available tech. Web3 principles, particularly blockchain, offer dynamic use cases, especially in authenticating digital assets.”
He predicts that digital assets, led by gaming, will become native to younger fans and that most digital assets will likely require trust layers – and that’s where blockchain comes in.
“Features like ticketing, memorabilia verification, and token gating with digital assets can enhance the fan experience if they serve a purpose,” he explains.
Despite the recent growth in fan token projects such as Socios.com, Johnson sees more potential in token gating, where holding a token unlocks exclusive digital experiences.
He adds: “While some fan token initiatives may seem arbitrary, the concept is interesting. Tokens should be tied to club loyalty programs, creating connections for international fans and enhancing their sense of belonging.”
Risks of over-commercialization in Web3
Johnson urges caution and suggests that teams should “avoid cash-grabbing exercises without a solid fan engagement strategy”. Instead, they should establish a strategy that is designed to keep clubs at the forefront by adapting to evolving fandom and commercial trends.
He advises against focusing solely on Web3 and instead adopting a tech-agnostic approach: “Sports 3.0 is really a blend of the best fan engagement tool across various technologies, including community building, content creation, XR, AR, AI, gaming, virtual world building, digital assets, Web3, and tokenization.”
Brands that take a holistic approach to authentically connect with fans and focus more on how they’re providing unique experiences or value will stay at the forefront of the sports industry’s digital evolution.
Why the growth of niche communities could change advertising strategies?
In an era where football extends its reach far beyond the pitch, niche online communities are emerging as pivotal platforms for brands looking to connect with Gen Z audiences authentically.
Social media platform Footballer Fits is known for showcasing famous players wearing various brands pre-game and away from the sport completely.
Founder Jordan Clarke has already developed strong relationships with sportswear giants like New Balance and Puma, and he highlights how niche communities can offer a unique avenue for reaching the ideal audience.
Clarke details: “Brands are increasingly recognizing the potential of platforms like ours to tap into Gen Z audiences but initially we focused on community-building and authenticity, ensuring our vision aligned with our followers.”
He highlights the importance of authenticity with any partnership or platform: “Our audience appreciates our approach because we avoid bombarding them with content.
“Each campaign we do resonates with our followers because it aligns with their interests. It’s not just about leveraging niche communities; it’s about adopting the approach that built those communities in the first place.”
Rising interests in players beyond gameday
Footballer Fits has over 500,000 followers on Instagram alone, and Clarke puts this down to the average fan becoming more interested in self-expression versus traditional match-day content – and the engagement rates support his theory.
“This shift reflects football’s wide-reaching presence and the instant access to highlights on social media,” he says.
“Young fans want to connect with their heroes beyond the pitch, and fashion, music, and athlete’s self-expression play a significant role in this trend.”
In recent years, collaborations between football and other industries such as fashion have thrived online. Clarke believes that the influence held by top-tier footballers has naturally led to the growth of more organic marketing.
“The AC Milan x Off-White collaboration is a prime example [of a successful collaboration]. It showcases players arriving in fashionable attire, resonating with young fans who appreciate their favorite players embracing culture and fashion.”
“These partnerships allow fans to feel that their club understands their interests and culture, moving beyond simply slapping a logo on generic clothing.”
These types of collaborations allow brands to create products and campaigns tailored to a particular audience. The communities that promote such partnerships could be seen as even more loyal.
Collaborations that combine sports and other popular aspects of society – such as fashion – are redefining how businesses communicate with Gen Z customers. The reliance is on authenticity and cultural relevance more than anything else to establish meaningful relationships – and that is the number one aim for any marketer or brand.
Clarke summarizes: “I believe that niche communities like our own will be more effective in reaching ideal customers because their audience is loyal to their platform. Tapping into it will get a brand’s message heard far more than platforms without audience loyalty and support.”
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