Etiquette for Sports Fans

Many people attend a sporting event to have a good time. They want to see their favorite team play and meet up with friends and family who also enjoy the sport. Most of the time, these people are the best to turn to when looking for someone to have a conversation with about the game.

Unfortunately, there are some people who attend a sporting event and disturb the others around them with a range of disruptive behaviors.

If you sit in the same area of an arena or stadium as these impolite fans, you can either suffer silently or complain to staff members about the person causing a nuisance. If none of the above work, you can educate yourself in the basic principles of etiquette for sports fans. You will avoid being the annoying fan or change your ways to prevent embarrassing yourself later.

Be on time for the event. Coming more than a few minutes late is a disturbance to others who took the time to get there before the game started. When you have to get to your seat, you annoy others by climbing over them and any food or beverages they have. This also blocks their view of game play. Arrive early and make sure you have handled any personal business before being seated.

Do not walk around during play. The power play in a hockey game or the throw of a pitch in a baseball game is not time to refill your beer or make a bathroom break. Hockey arenas in particular have rules prohibiting fans from walking around during action. You even risk being injured by a fly ball or loose puck. Wait for the next break before leaving for the restroom or concession stands.

When on the concourse, do not do anything to impede traffic flow. If you need to have a conversation with someone, step off to the side. Do not stop in the middle of the aisle to hug them and talk about how long it's been since you've seen them. Move through the area as quickly as possible. Do not shove someone to get to where you need to be. If you do accidentally bump into someone, acknowledge the mistake and move on.

Do not cut someone in line. Ask a person if they are in line before you take a spot. Better yet, if you are not in line, make sure the person who wants to get in line knows they are clear to do so. Cutting someone to get your food faster will surely upset someone who was there first.

If your child is old enough to have a ticket, buy them one. Although many venues will admit children under a certain age without a ticket, they expect parents to buy tickets for children who are old enough to sit in a seat. Do not let your child hit others with any toy you have given them and make sure they stay seated. Don't allow them to run up and down aisles bothering others either. If you don't think your child can behave at a game, get a babysitter before going out. The arena is not a daycare.

Do not harass others. This rule mainly applies to visiting fans who visit another team's arena, but tensions can also arise between home fans themselves. Recognize that you all came to watch the game. If someone tries to fight with you, do not retaliate. Ignore the person and if they continue, ask a staff member to intervene. From there, appropriate action will be taken.

Sporting events are a place for everyone to have fun and cheer on their favorite team. However, they should not become a venue for everyone to bring out their worst behavior. All spectators need to do is follow these standards, and a good time will truly be had by all.