Football draws a larger audience for in-person games, TV viewership, and sports bar viewership than any other sport in the US, and it doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Soccer doesn't get talked about nearly as much in the US as baseball, basketball, or football.
Soccer has appeal in the world. While the US might not present the best soccer leagues, it has plenty of fans following with leagues. The UEFA Euro soccer championship in 2020 is an excellent example of this. The final between Italy and England saw more viewers than the first three games of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.
As a sports bar owner, this is something worth noting. Many sports bars around the country focus more on the teams in or near their city and don’t typically focus on international sports like soccer. Sure the US has the MLS, which still draws crowds, but the big soccer fans are focused on the Europe leagues. Many bars have noted this and affiliated themselves with specific Premier League teams. If you’re a fan of the Premier League looking for a local bar to watch the game, check out their website to find a list of affiliated bars near you.
The benefit of drawing in soccer fans is a more targeted demographic. Most sports bars attract the typical sports fan who just wants to come in and watch a game with their friends. With the time difference for Europe Soccer leagues, you’ll often see soccer-specific bars full of fans very early in the morning to cheer on their favorite team.
With the popularity of soccer going up not only for international leagues but with the MLS and US Men’s National Team getting prepared for the world cup, now is a great time to start appealing to more soccer fans as bar owners. We’ve always talked about being able to differentiate from other sports bars and find different ways to engage with new audiences. A soccer sports bar can be a great way to attract new customers and engage them with your business.
All these ideas are used across the board to help boost traffic within their restaurant or bar. During the most significant sports events of the year, The Fans Place can instantly bring more customers to your bar and increase revenue. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon!