It’s never been easier to be a “displaced fan” than it is today.
We define displaced fans as those fans who live outside of their favorite team’s home market. Technology has made it possible for fans to follow teams more easily no matter where they live. They can watch or listen to games via out-of-market media packages (like NFL Sunday Ticket and NBA League Pass), follow on social media and other online services, and connect with fans on multiple devices.
So how does displaced fandom differ by sport?
Sports Poll™ data for 2026 shows that the NFL has the highest composition of displaced fans today (70% of its fan base).
The NBA is next at 65%, followed by MLB and the NHL. Major League Soccer is the least displaced (or most local) of the major sports with 55% of its fans living outside their favorite team’s home market.
There are additional layers to displaced fandom.
Displaced fandom varies considerably team by team, and home market territories can extend beyond just the team’s home DMA. While fans should be able to watch more of their favorite team today in theory, access is increasingly complicated because of geographic restrictions and a growing number of media partners.
For more information on displaced fans and how they are following sports today, reach out to us.
Sports Poll by SSRS™ is conducted continuously throughout the year and includes a nationally representative sample of more than 24,000 Americans each year.
