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Thieves Around the Stadium: Comparing the Effects of Football and Soccer on Crime

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  • Jeremy Budner
  • Rodrigo Schneider

Abstract

Operating on granular, publicly available crime data from 2017–2022, we utilize negative binomial regressions to investigate the spatial relationship between gamedays and crime in Atlanta, comparing effects of football and soccer. Our models suggest that football increases crime near the stadium in Atlanta substantially relative to the effects of soccer. Football games are correlated with a 113% increase in crime—concentrated within 0.5 miles of the stadium and robust across models. We support our findings using a temporal analysis within gamedays, which illustrates that the distribution of crimes is centered around the hours surrounding the start of the game. Our results support the existence of a substitution effect of crime towards the stadium on game days and the existence of demographic differences between football and soccer fans in the United States. Mercedes-Benz stadium should implement additional security measures, including free lockers within the stadium, to shield their patrons from theft.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy Budner & Rodrigo Schneider, 2026. "Thieves Around the Stadium: Comparing the Effects of Football and Soccer on Crime," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 27(4), pages 395-425, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:27:y:2026:i:4:p:395-425
    DOI: 10.1177/15270025261422473
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    JEL classification:

    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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