Fandom And Why It Matters.

Episode: #015.

Frances & Laura.

Your friendly hosts & Almost Pro founders.

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Fandom isn’t a side-piece to sport – it’s the heartbeat.

In this host episode, Frances and Laura dive deep into why being a fan feels so powerful, so emotional, and sometimes so overwhelming. From the colours and chants to the shared wins, rituals and heartbreaks, fandom shapes who we are and how we connect with the world around us.

Blending personal stories with psychology and global stats, they break down why fans feel such intense joy and disappointment, why stadiums feel alive even when empty, and how sport creates instant community between complete strangers.

From 3.5 billion football supporters to the small rituals only true fans notice (including Rafael Nadal’s water bottle placement), this episode explores fandom as identity, fandom as belonging, and fandom as the world’s biggest social movement.

Whether you scream at the TV, cry after a big loss, or pick teams based on good stories and cool merch, this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• Why fandom is a powerful form of identity and belonging
• The psychology behind being a fan – dopamine, oxytocin and emotional highs and lows
• Rituals, merch, superstition and “collective effervescence”
• How fans shape clubs, culture and even decision-making
• The intergenerational nature of fandom (and why 70% support their parents’ team)
• Why global fanbases matter more than ever
• How sport connects total strangers – on and off the field

Stream Episode. 29:49mins.