The Future of Live Events & Sports Updates

Update #17

January 27, 2021

In this update, we explore:

• How the KAGR Fan Demand Index varies by region and what the continued decline indicates for 2021
• The demand for Super Bowl tickets and the expansion of sports betting across professional leagues
• The Fan Experience in a Post-COVID World study conducted by Sportico, surveying both fans and industry experts

Update #16

January 13, 2021

In this update, we explore:

• Impact of market-based restrictions on KAGR Fan Demand, despite increasing air traffic and consumer trends
• Innovative broadcast and engagement concepts that offer differentiated fan experiences
• New in-venue health and safety compliance guidelines

Update #15

December 17, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• A sizable increase in Most Likely to Return markets as the KAGR Fan Demand Index dropped overall
• A deeper look at NFL fan engagement on social media
• Newly issued policies and protocols for group sales and fan safety

Update #14

December 2, 2020

In this edition, we explore:

• The largest two-week increase in recent confirmed COVID-19 cases and impact on KAGR Fan Demand Index
• A significant shift in fans engagement on social media representing new opportunities for leagues and teams during and after the pandemic

Update #13

November 18, 2020

In this update, we explore:

• Impact of the continued rise of COVID-19 on KAGR Fan Demand Index, including increased restrictions in several markets
• The impact of college football cancellations on fan demand and attendance
• Newly issued venue protocols from the NBA and Ticketmaster including required testing and potential proof of vaccine

Update #12

November 5, 2020

In this update, we explore:

• Impact of rising COVID-19 cases on KAGR Fan Demand Index and a growing divide with the Slow to Return market group
• Decline in overall sports viewership with continued expansion in sports betting and esports
• How learnings from summer “bubbles” are being leveraged to develop safety protocols for players, staff, and fans

Update #11

October 21, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• Increasing consumer behavior and comfort while COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise
• Relationship between KAGR Fan Demand Index and attendance for early returning college football markets

Update #10

October 7, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• Stabilization of KAGR Fan Demand ranking with less than 50% of markets showing week-over-week changes despite the increase of recent confirmed COVID-19 cases
• NFL attendance for top ranked KAGR Fan Demand markets, viewership insights, and the significant rise of sports betting

Update #9

September 23, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• The impact to KAGR Fan Demand based on increasing COVID-19 cases and fluctuating consumer behavior
• Attendance for Week 1 and 2 NFL games with fans in stands and fan engagement across channels
• Learnings from early games including safety policies and ticket sales

Update #8

September 9, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• Continued decrease in new COVID-19 cases and a rise in consumer behavior
• Viewership trends as the number of live events increase
• Fan guidelines for this weekend’s NFL and college football games, as well as the evolution of new technology to increase safety and fan compliance

Update #7

August 26, 2020

In this update, we explore:

• Reduction in new COVID-19 cases and initial rebound in fan demand rankings across many July hot spots
• Increase in viewership across major and niche leagues and events, while fan concern grows for fall sports plans
• In-venue amenities and fan guidelines for NFL stadiums that will welcome fans

Update #6

August 12, 2020

In this edition, along with our Fan Demand Index updates, we have partnered with NinthDecimal to analyze consumer behavior in six NFL Markets, pre-COVID and today.

We will explore:

• Current consumer behavior and mobility of NFL fans against the general population
• How to leverage market-based trends and the KAGR Fan Demand Index to inform near term decision making 
• Key learnings of NFL Fan behaviors that can be applied by teams and venue operators

Update #5

July 29, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• Continued COVID-19 setbacks and the impact of fan demand across markets
• Multiple fan engagement indicators as leagues return to play with no fans
• How venues can leverage real-time data to monitor crowd density and more effectively plan for operational adjustments

Update #4

July 15, 2020

In this update, we explore:

• Major COVID-19 and consumer behavior setbacks in markets which originally had indications of being “Most Likely to Return” and the implied decrease in fan demand across markets
• Concerns over return-to-play tournaments and the importance of early success in supporting the near term return of sports and live events
• How stadium enhancements for at-home viewing may impact future in-venue experience

Update #3

July 1, 2020

In this update, we will explore:

• Continued COVID-19 surges and market setbacks, including the risk to returning league locations
• Reaction to positive player testing and steps taken to ensure player safety
• Fan-driven venue safety precautions, including face mask requirements and gate entry protocols

Update #2

June 17, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• Changes in market level factors including emerging COVID-19 hot spots and the impact of increased openings for retail and recreation
• Impact of digital fan engagement on willingness to return to live events and sports, and challenges with current platforms
• Safe capacities for the post-COVID venue, and what we can learn from early events

Update #1

June 3, 2020

In this edition, we will explore:

• Changes in market level factors including number of markets open and loosening of other restrictions
• Market-by-market changes in Fan Demand
• Early indicators of fan behavior and a look-back of historical attendance across leagues