How superstitious are football fans?

It’s the final game. The crowds in the stands are cheering and the fans at home are sat at the edge of their seats, wearing their lucky underwear, eager to find out how it will end. But how do far do fans go with their matchday superstitions? Casino.co.uk surveyed 2,000 Premier League club supporters to find out…

How superstitious are Premier League football fans?

Lucky shot: football fans’ top superstitions

From a selection of superstitious pursuits, over 1/4 of football fans revealed they never miss a game. But how many hide behind the sofa during penalties? Or refuse to change their lucky socks?

Football fates: almost 1/2 of fans superstitious

A sizeable 43% of football fans admitted to being superstitious about the beautiful game.

What’s more, 1/2 of those self-confessed superstitious supporters also revealed they thought their beliefs did have an impact on the outcome of a game.

%
29 %
Never miss a game
23 %
Watch the game in exactly the same way e.g. same seat, same location
21 %
Wear the same coloured shirt that the team you’re supporting is wearing
18 %
Can’t place a bet on a team you’re supporting
17 %
Wear the same item of clothing for every game e.g. top, trousers
14 %
Wear the same item of underwear for every game e.g. boxers, socks
13 %
Never watch penalties
Data gathered: April 2021

Own goal: supporters skip work to watch games

More than a 1/4 of footy fans confessed to calling in sick just to watch a game. Others would lie to a loved one, or even miss a family event, just to make it to match day on time.

  • 30 %
    Missed a family event
  • 27 %
    Have taken a sick day from work
  • 27 %
    Lied to their partner
Own goal
Own goal

London calling: UK capital most superstitious region

Of all the areas in the UK that were surveyed, London came top of the league for most superstitious football fans - with 64% of respondents in the region admitting to having superstitious sporting beliefs.

When watching their team play, 66% of those same Londoners thought their beliefs and actions could impact a game. And more than 1/2 also admitted to taking sick days, skipping family events or lying to partners to watch a match.

Millennials go to the greatest lengths for a game

From the supporters surveyed, Millennials were the main culprits for putting match days above work and relationships. Around 2/5 of millennial-aged fans confessed to calling in sick, missing family gatherings or telling lies just to see their club play live.

Sick of it: which supporters skip work for football?
Age
%
18-24
40 %
25-34
43 %
35-44
36 %
45-54
21 %
55-64
13 %
65 and over
6 %
Life goals: which fans choose football over family events?
Age
%
18-24
43 %
25-34
43 %
35-44
37 %
45-54
24 %
55-64
21 %
65 and over
10 %
Footy fibs: which fans lie to partners about games?
Age
%
18-24
37 %
25-34
39 %
35-44
36 %
45-54
21 %
55-64
13 %
65 and over
7 %
Data gathered: April 2021