economy
U.S. sports fans spend about $2,000 a year on their favorite teams—many find themselves in debt as a result
As football season approaches, many Americans are planning to take on debt to pay for tickets, memorabilia, parlays and more.
TL;DR
- 62% of Americans spent or expect to spend money on sports fandom in 2026.
- The average annual spending on sports fandom is $1,970, with men spending $2,224.
- 47% of those who spend money on sports have gone into debt to fund purchases.
- This debt burden is higher among younger adults (62% of ages 25-34).
- Streaming services are the most popular sports spending category.
- Financial experts recommend setting spending limits and maintaining emergency savings.
- Overspending on sports can become problematic when it competes with fundamental financial goals like debt repayment and retirement savings.