The League of Ireland Premier Division is home to some of the most-watched sporting events in the country, bringing in 99% more spectators in 2022 than 2019. But it’s more than just the games that draw fans into the stands. The live experience – from the smell of burgers to the sound of a roaring crowd – is something you can’t get from watching at home. Creating engaging sporting events can fill up the stands and give fans the unforgettable live experiences they desire.

Want to pack the stands at your sporting events? Here are five ways to create a memorable sporting event that will keep fans coming back all season.

1. Hold a pre-match social hour

A pre-game social hour is an effective way to engage with the community and local businesses. Sporting events are also a great place to host corporate networking events. Consider a live sporting event as an alternative to the standard company party or happy hour, or as entertainment after a long day at a conference. Encourage attendees to mix and mingle with a pre-game happy hour, getting everyone in the matchday spirit.

Sporting events connect people: think about how rooting for (or against) the same team sparks conversation and how attendees often enjoy sharing a drink with a stranger. Almost every sports fan has a story about mid-match encounters with interesting folks. Kicking off the day with a pre-game social hour will enhance the matchday experience.

2. Organise a half-time show

Who doesn’t enjoy a good half-time show? A quality half-time show engages the crowd while the teams rest and talk strategy before the second half. For some fans, an entertaining half-time performance may be a bigger draw than the event itself.

Think about the best half-time show you’ve ever seen. What made it memorable? Channelling that spark can help you create special memories for attendees – it may even be something they’ll talk about for years to come. Consider these half-time ideas that’ll keep the crowd entertained:

  • Live music performance by a local band or musician
  • Marching band performances
  • Stunt artists
  • Light shows
  • Competitions using fans from the crowd

3. Organise a promotion or giveaway

Consider incorporating contests into your events to engage attendees. Offer a chance to win a locker room visit, a meet-and-greet with the team, or a free VIP package to a future game. Or hold a ticket giveaway on your social channels to generate excitement and increase your social presence. The biggest sporting events offer lucky attendees a chance to walk away with cool merchandise – or even a new car. Why not give them the opportunity to step onto the field or court and bask in the crowd’s adoration during a match?

4. Encourage team spirit

People are competitive by nature – especially sports fans. When you put fans from opposing teams in the same stadium, there’s bound to be some inevitable competition and, of course, team camaraderie. Hardcore fans love this kind of environment; it lets them show team pride with painted faces and all.

Think about ways to encourage team spirit among your event attendees. Encourage fans to engage with the event on social media using a hashtag you create, whether they’re in the stands or watching from home. Add group activities and challenges for those who want to show their team spirit. Don’t forget to use Eventbrite Boost to advertise on social media to help sell more tickets, using paid ads and organic posts that attendees can share.

5. Create unique merchandise

Engage sponsors and increase brand recognition with merch. Whether it’s free or for sale, merch is a big part of branding your event and giving fans the unique sporting event experience they crave. Each time someone wears the t-shirt or hat they got at your sporting event, it’s another opportunity for free advertising for you and your sponsors. By offering team-themed merchandise that’s available exclusively at the sporting event, fans can secure limited-edition gear reminding them of their matchday experience.

It’s game day

Sporting events aren’t just about the game – they’re about bringing the community together for an unforgettable occasion. Engaging your sports fans helps ensure they have a one-of-a-kind experience; start by exploring ways to promote socialisation, build camaraderie, and entertain before the event. Then, use Eventbrite Boost to build interest in your next sporting event with an event marketing plan that delivers.