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When fans travel: Determinants and effects of away support in football

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  • Flintz, Joschka

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of away fan attendance in Germany's top three football divisions over six seasons and assesses its impact on match outcomes. The analysis reveals that, after conditioning on home and away teams, distance and kick-off time are the most important predictors of away fan turnout. Moreover, away support is found to have a statistically significant positive effect on team performance: an additional 1,000 away fans is associated with a 4.6% to 7.5% increase in the probability of the away team winning or drawing the match. These findings suggest that league organizers should consider fan logistics and the potential influence of away fan presence when scheduling fixtures, in order to maintain sporting equity. At the club level, the results underscore the value of fostering fan engagement and indicate that strategies aimed at increasing away attendance may contribute to improved sporting outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Flintz, Joschka, 2025. "When fans travel: Determinants and effects of away support in football," Ruhr Economic Papers 1169, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:333895
    DOI: 10.4419/96973354
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oberhofer, Harald & Philippovich, Tassilo & Winner, Hannes, 2010. "Distance matters in away games: Evidence from the German football league," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 200-211, April.
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    4. Michela Ponzo & Vincenzo Scoppa, 2018. "Does the Home Advantage Depend on Crowd Support? Evidence From Same-Stadium Derbies," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 19(4), pages 562-582, May.
    5. Jeffrey Cross & Richard Uhrig, 2023. "Do Fans Impact Sports Outcomes? A COVID-19 Natural Experiment∗," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 24(1), pages 3-27, January.
    6. J. James Reade & Dominik Schreyer & Carl Singleton, 2022. "Eliminating supportive crowds reduces referee bias," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 60(3), pages 1416-1436, July.
    7. Federico Fioravanti & Fernando Delbianco & Fernando Tohmé, 2025. "Visitors Out! The Absence of Away Team Supporters as a Source of Home Advantage in Football," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 106(4), July.
    8. Carlos Alberto Belchior, 2020. "Fans and Match Results: Evidence From a Natural Experiment in Brazil," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 21(7), pages 663-687, October.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General

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