#fan-culture

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London politics
fromInverse
1 day ago

'Young Sherlock' Turns Heated Rivals Into Kick-Ass Partners

Sherlock Holmes fans embrace diverse interpretations of the character, from canonical reimaginings to entirely new storylines, demonstrating remarkable flexibility in what constitutes acceptable Holmes content.
fromFast Company
6 days ago

Pokemon turns 30: What's behind the media franchise's enduring appeal?

I don't remember when was the last day I did not think about Pokémon at all. In the 30 years since Pokémon debuted in Japan with the 1996 release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green for Nintendo Game Boy, the franchise has taken over the globe with its animated shows, mobile games and highly coveted trading cards.
Video games
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

The Importance of Safe Spaces in Fandom

Fandom is first and foremost a community. It has a shared lexicon that includes in-jokes and rapidly evolving language that would be difficult to keep up with from the outside. Like any community, it has norms and values and standards of behavior. Fandom is also a marginalized community.
LGBT
Chicago Cubs
fromDodgers Nation
1 week ago

Pete Crow-Armstrong Doubles Down on Criticism of Dodgers Fans

Pete Crow-Armstrong criticizes Dodgers fans for being disrespectful and disengaged, citing childhood experiences of violence at games while praising Chicago fans for their genuine baseball passion.
#bayern-munich
Arts
fromwww.npr.org
1 week ago

How pin trading became an Olympic tradition and what to know before you try it

Lapel pin trading at the Olympics creates a colorful, inclusive community where collectors, athletes, and visitors exchange designs and build social connections.
Soccer (FIFA)
fromBavarian Football Works
1 week ago

Which non-Bayern Munich fanbase do you respect, if any - and why?

Supporters of Freiburg, Union Berlin, Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Liverpool, AC Milan, and Real Madrid earn respect for passion, loyalty, community, identity, and atmosphere.
Music
fromEsquire
1 week ago

Megan Moroney Is Never Coming Back Down to Earth

Megan Moroney's conversational, honest songwriting about complicated emotions fueled rapid country success and fiercely devoted fan engagement.
Film
fromVulture
2 weeks ago

Tom Morello Spreads the Gospel of Judas Priest in Berlin

The Ballad of Judas Priest is a fan-focused love letter celebrating the band's operatic melodic power and Rob Halford's commanding presence.
#manchester-united
fromFast Company
3 weeks ago

2026 FIFA World Cup: Here's how the biggest brands are spending millions

Beer explores what he's learned from Men in Blazers co-founder Roger Bennett about how brands can leverage compelling storytelling and authentic fan culture, which sometimes matter more than the action on the field. Beer also shares insights from executives at major brands like Verizon and Anheuser-Busch about their World Cup marketing strategies to build lasting fan connections through global league sponsorships and tournament partnerships, while avoiding the "cultural wallpaper" effect that often happens at major sporting events.
Soccer (FIFA)
fromwww.amny.com
3 weeks ago

NYCFC unveils new mascot Sky Scraper the pigeon | amNewYork

Ahead of its 12th season in Major League Soccer and its final campaign at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC has tapped into city culture for the announcement of its official mascot, Sky Scraper, a pigeon and local New Yorker. As the club prepares for the start of a new era, it only feels right that Sky writes his own chapter into club history.
Soccer (FIFA)
National Football League
fromThe Mercury News
3 weeks ago

From hometown fans to worldwide stage, a Super Bowl day in the Bay Area

Levi's Stadium hosted Super Bowl LX, drawing thousands of fans, showcasing regional infrastructure investments, and serving as a dress rehearsal for upcoming World Cup matches.
fromwww.aljazeera.com
3 weeks ago

T20 World Cup: Nepal fans light up Wankhede despite painful England loss

For most of a warm and breezy Sunday afternoon in Mumbai, the Wankhede Stadium felt closer to Kathmandu than India's southern metropolis as thousands of Nepalese fans sang, danced and dared to dream while their cricket team took on the mighty England in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. A sea of red and blue replica shirts heaved in every nook and corner of the iconic 33,000-capacity venue, with supporters turning the famed Indian stadium into their adopted home.
World news
Books
fromSlate Magazine
3 weeks ago

The Unlikely Hit That's Popularizing a Whole New Type of Novel

Dungeon Crawler Carl is a bestselling LitRPG series blending RPG mechanics with post-apocalyptic adventure, inspiring fervent cosplay fans and a television adaptation.
#drake-maye
fromBoston.com
3 weeks ago
New England Patriots

The anonymous Drake Maye Lover Instagram account has developed quite the following

fromBoston.com
3 weeks ago
New England Patriots

The anonymous Drake Maye Lover Instagram account has developed quite the following

US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

Why are Nicki Minaj's fans defending her Maga shift? | Tayo Bero

Nicki Minaj promoted Trump-backed children’s investment accounts, revealing how celebrity influence and fervent fan loyalty can amplify political agendas despite controversial personal associations.
National Hockey League
fromBrooklyn Eagle
4 weeks ago

Join the club: 'Heated Rivalry' is making queer hockey New York's hottest sport

A popular queer hockey romance has driven widespread events and sharply increased interest and participation in queer hockey leagues and fan activities in New York.
Soccer (FIFA)
fromESPN.com
1 month ago

Best Champions League tifos: Bob Marley, The Beatles, 'Erling the Great'

Olympique Marseille have become the standout European tifo leaders for 2025-26, producing elaborate, consistent prematch displays that rival the continent's best.
Television
fromArs Technica
1 month ago

A decade of Star Trek-themed fart jokes: The Greatest Generation podcast turns 10

Two podcasters transformed a Star Trek recap project into a decade-long full-time career with episode-by-episode recaps, original segments, a dedicated fandom, and spin-offs.
#heated-rivalry
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

The World Cup is out of reach for many. The hope lies outside the stadiums | Leander Schaerlaeckens

In Germany, fans watched the games on screens in crowded town squares, their roars careening off ancient buildings, or from the banks of rivers, peering at floating, double-sided big screens on barges. At the next World Cup, in South Africa in 2010, people gathered in parks and open-air markets and hotel lobbies and unlicensed, makeshift bars in people's garages. In Brazil, four years later, fans spilled from the bars on the Copacabana or watched in restaurants
Soccer (FIFA)
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

Is Sports Fandom Play?

In this playoff season, I try to shut my eyes to products featured in commercial time-outs. You've seen them? The cryptic medicines to treat unspecified ailments? The pickup trucks and beer brands that signal ruggedness and romantic success. Or more tempting, the gooey-delectable double-cheese-pepperoni pizzas with yet more cheese stuffed in the crust. But one other caught my ear for novel English usage. Namely, the new infinitive "to fan."
Marketing
fromBusiness Insider
1 month ago

'Heated Rivalry' is rewriting the rules of online fandom

There's something different about the "Heated Rivalry" online fandom from what I typically see - something strange brewing in the feeds, something I haven't seen in a long time, or maybe ever. It's easy for a topic to suddenly take over my Instagram Reels or TikTok feeds - those algorithms seem so sensitive that interacting with just a handful of posts on a topic can instantly send you down a rabbit hole.
Television
LGBT
fromHuffPost
1 month ago

Your Love Of 'Heated Rivalry' Might Tell You Something Surprising About Yourself

Many women passionately enjoy watching queer male romance media, finding psychological safety and escapism in male-male relationships.
English Premier League
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

What I have learned from watching all 20 Premier League teams this season | John Brewin

English football in 2025 reflects social tensions, heavy commercialisation, tactical analytics, and widespread dissatisfaction despite isolated successful clubs.
London music
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Being annoying is worse than being evil': the high-octane, low-culture genius of indie duo Getdown Services

Getdown Services deliver high-energy, genre-blending live shows that combine chaotic, satirical blokiness with intense crowd interaction and wide commercial success in 2025.
Film
fromkotaku.com
2 months ago

What The Internet Keeps Getting Wrong About The Most Famous Quote From Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Quoting Kylo Ren's 'Let the past die' mantra widely misrepresents it as The Last Jedi's thesis rather than a villain's ruthless personal belief.
World news
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Boxing Day Test filled with cheer and hope but nothing can be taken for granted

Cold, windy Boxing Day at the MCG contrasted fan revelry and costumes with surprising weather, shifting cricket narratives, strong competition, and visible security presence.
Books
fromBuzzFeed
2 months ago

Only Heated Rivalry Superfans Can Spot The 15 Differences Between The Book And The TV Show

Intensely charged enemies-to-lovers hockey romance brims with locker-room tension, unforgettable intimate moments, quiet confessions, and fervent fan debate over adaptation choices.
Television
fromBuzzFeed
2 months ago

This Freakishly Accurate "Heated Rivalry" Quiz Will Tell You If You're A Shane Or An Ilya

Heated Rivalry showcases intense romance and chemistry between hockey players Shane and Ilya, driving fan obsession and playful identity quizzes.
Soccer (FIFA)
fromDefector
2 months ago

Arsenal Is Heading For A Title That Only A Gooner Could Love | Defector

Arsenal possess the strongest, deepest roster in Europe and are genuine favorites for domestic and continental titles under manager Mikel Arteta.
fromFast Company
2 months ago

TikTok is rebranding ice-hockey rinks as 'boy aquariums'

"There are boy aquariums all over the United States," a TikTok creator explains in a recent post. The video then shows a clip of someone carrying a bucket filled with hockey pucks. "Come feed the fish at the boy aquarium with me," the closed captions reads. The person tosses the pucks onto the rink as players skate past. On TikTok, ice hockey arenas have been rebranded as "boy aquariums."
National Hockey League
Television
fromSlate Magazine
2 months ago

I Traveled Into the Dark Heart of Hallmark's Christmas Empire. I Still Can't Believe What I Saw.

Hundreds of devoted Hallmark fans gather at paid holiday events in Kansas City to celebrate seasonal movies, meet actors, buy themed merchandise, and join communal traditions.
#taylor-swift
Music
fromSlate Magazine
5 months ago

I Went to See the New Taylor Swift "Movie." It Crystallized the Problem This Time Around.

Taylor Swift is monetizing fandom by releasing a theatrical visual accompaniment that functions primarily as an album promotion and communal fan event.
Music
fromBusiness Insider
5 months ago

Thanks, Taylor Swift. A noisier era of movie theater etiquette is upon us.

Taylor Swift's theatrical album release normalizes concert-style behavior in movie theaters, potentially transforming cinema etiquette and enabling chains to monetize fan culture.
World news
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Even Bazball's implosion can't shake Barmy Army's crew of Ashes veterans | Emma John

The Barmy Army remains boisterous, resilient and undeterred by England's Ashes struggles, celebrating 30 years with loud support and touring persistence.
fromDodgers Nation
2 months ago

Dodgers Fan Cave Battles Episode 20: Champion of the Month Revealed

Episode 20 of Fan Cave Battles may be the best evidence yet that Dodgers Nation never lets us down. This week's episode not only showcases another group of imaginative fan settings, but it also crowns the Fan Cave Champion of the Month. The competition was captivating from beginning to end.
Major League Baseball
fromwww.fourfourtwo.com
2 months ago

A guy went, If I give you something, can I have a selfie with it?' He pulled his f**king glass eye out and said, Can you hold that?' Paul Gascoigne on his greatest fan encounters

He says one person even dropped to the ground in worship not long ago at a supermarket. Some guy walked up behind me with his two kids, got on his knees and started crying, he tells FourFourTwo. I thought, Get up mate, your kids will think I f**king hit you!' He was crying his eyes out. I get that a lot with fans.
Soccer (FIFA)
Music
fromenglish.elpais.com
3 months ago

Excited about Taylor Swift's wedding? Why parasocial is the Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year

Fans' intense reactions to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement exemplify parasocial relationships, Cambridge Dictionary's 2025 Word of the Year.
San Francisco 49ers
fromwww.mercurynews.com
3 months ago

49ers' Kyle Juszczyk returns to Ohio roots on cusp of another milestone

Kyle Juszczyk is a veteran fullback with nearly 300 receptions whose catches spark the 49ers faithful to chant 'Juuuuicce!', energizing teammates and fans.
fromThe Nation
3 months ago

The Inexplicable Logic of Contact Sports

This, I learned, is known as a B'nei Mitzvah. Through a series of misadventures, it fell on the day of the Australian Rules Football (AFL) Grand Final, a day that is, in essence, the Australian equivalent of Super Bowl Sunday. I have three older brothers who all love the AFL, but it's my younger sister who is our family's most devoted fan.
Books
#rocky-horror-picture-show
Soccer (FIFA)
fromBuzzFeed
3 months ago

If You Can Answer These Soccer Questions Correctly, You Might Be The Ultimate Fan

Many people display superficial soccer fandom yet lack real knowledge, especially revealed during World Cup season and trivia challenges.
fromESPN.com
3 months ago

Valerenga's remarkable UWCL story building hope for women's football

"Until a few years ago, we didn't even need somebody to do that job,"
Soccer (FIFA)
fromESPN.com
3 months ago

Can Eintracht keep exceeding expectations without Ekitike, Marmoush?

Eintracht have placed the emphasis on keeping the opposition quiet in their past two competitive games, and with good reason after suddenly becoming one of the most porous teams defensively in the Bundesliga, and that concerning pattern extending into the UEFA Champions League. Three conceded at Bayer Leverkusen started the unwanted trend and it worsened with four against both Union Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach and then five Gegentore against both Atlético Madrid and Liverpool on the continental front
Soccer (FIFA)
Bayern Munich
fromFC Bayern
3 months ago

Away fans: When FCB tops even Disneyland

Frank and Stephie, devoted FC Bayern supporters, married in full red-and-white Bayern attire and attend away matches with family and passionate fan commitment.
Soccer (FIFA)
fromwww.bbc.com
3 months ago

Brighton v Palace - 'A rivalry as big as any other'

Crystal Palace and Brighton rivalry is intense, rooted in the 1976 FA Cup controversy and animosity between Venables and Mullery, and remains felt by fans.
#college-football
fromwww.amny.com
3 months ago

STAYC has fans declaring I WANT IT' as they wrap up the North American Tour STAY TUNED' in NYC | amNewYork

STAYC drew thousands of spectators last month for the final stop on the US leg of their tour, STAY TUNED,' drawing thousands of fans to the Theater at Madison Square Garden. With the rallying call, STAYC Girls is going down! echoing throughout the venue, fans beamed with pride as SUMIN, SIEUN, ISA, SEEUN, J, and YOON lit up the stage on October 21. The six-member girl group delivered an unforgettable performance for over 2,000 supporters filled with STAYC's signature Teen Fresh energy, combining a perfect blend of charm, confidence, and talent.
Music
fromwww.fourfourtwo.com
4 months ago

Newcastle United vs Fulham: Bruno Guimaraes thrives in new role after 'special moment'

As number 39, he is the last player to be mentioned, but instead of the customary name check, the word Bruno is bellowed through the speaker and then boomed around the four corners of the ground in unilateral response. It is a way of recognising not only how important the Brazilian is to the team and Eddie Howe, but also the strength of feeling towards him from the supporters. His passion and emotion is infectious.
Soccer (FIFA)
fromRaptors Republic
4 months ago

A Tri-Table on the Toronto Raptors 2025-2026 NBA season

And, here we are. With a team that seems to be considered by most to be middling ( super rude @Bleacher Report [25th]), still sticking it out. As passionately infuriated as ever about all the wonderful minutiae. Like, no one appreciating Ochai Agbaji's defence. Or, celebrating Scottie Barnes as one of the best basketball minds in the game. Or, noticing that for the last two years Jakob Pöltl has been top 20 in on/off efficiency in the league.
National Basketball Association
Marketing
fromThe Drum
4 months ago

Understanding how to connect with fans in the 'third space'

Brands must earn a place in fan-led 'third space' communities like Discord and watch parties to gain intimacy and cultural influence.
Music
fromSFGATE
4 months ago

New film chronicles intense fandom around Metallica

Metallica Saved My Life channels Metallica's live-show energy and showcases global fans whose devotion illustrates music's transformative, life‑saving impact.
Arts
fromBustle
4 months ago

"Slime Tutorials," "WHAM Calls," & 18 Other Terms To Sound Like A Theater Pro

Social media turns theater fandom into a public, drama-focused community where influencers, backstage access, and fan scrutiny intersect with Broadway's commercial success.
fromLos Angeles Times
4 months ago

'She's not afraid to be exactly who she is': A day inside Chappell Roan's feverish Pasadena show

The allure of a "pop-up" tour from the Midwest Princess herself was one that attracted droves of fans - in pinks and blues and reds - from across the States to the grassy knolls of Brookside at the Rose Bowl. It's a rare feat that an artist has such a pull, only recently repeated by that of Oasis, whose draw was more than a decade in the making.
Music
Television
fromGold Derby
4 months ago

'Mr. Robot' creator says he was almost hacked by a superfan of the Emmy-winning series

Mr. Robot built a devoted fanbase through timely, high-tech storytelling, inventive visual and narrative techniques, and engaged creator-and-cast interaction.
Canada news
fromwww.cbc.ca
4 months ago

Blue Jays fans near and far eagerly get ready for ALCS round | CBC News

Blue Jays enter ALCS Game 1 with home-field advantage as fans worldwide celebrate the team's unexpected successful playoff run.
Music
fromVulture
4 months ago

The Uncanceling of Chris Brown

Chris Brown's Breezy Bowl XX tour demonstrates sustained star power, theatrical spectacle, and devoted fan support despite ongoing controversies.
fromEditor In Leaf
4 months ago

Maple Leafs defenseman says he 'wouldn't want to be anywhere else'

"I think it's great, I love being in a market where there's so much passion," he said. "I can't imagine wanting to be in a different place where you wouldn't want to win. I really appreciate the passion; it's ingrained in everybody's blood here. I see bumper stickers all the time. I see kids with jerseys at school and I absolutely love it. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
National Hockey League
#baseball
fromThe Atlantic
4 months ago
Major League Baseball

What Not to Fix About Baseball

Imaginative rule changes and spirited advocacy can invigorate baseball while preserving its traditions and addressing concerns about pace and relevance.
fromOver the Monster
4 months ago
Boston Red Sox

OTM Open Thread 10/5: Oh-tani

Fans of losing teams deserve to enjoy star players' regular-season achievements because those memories and varied off-October ways to enjoy baseball matter.
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 months ago

Raiders of the Arc: Japan hopes to end elusive 50-year quest in Paris

One is baseball, one is sumo wrestling and the other one is horse racing. We are always exposed to racing and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals, and there is drama and romance and a challenge to the Arc because we've been trying to win for more than 50 years. I think that's why Japanese people are so attached to the Arc.
France news
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 months ago

Faux-humble Jose Mourinho plays his part on oddly tender Chelsea return | Barney Ronay

The whump of pitchside flames, the tinny theatre of the Uefa anthem, a craning of necks, a rising crackle of energy. And finally there he was out on the Stamford Bridge touchline, like some fond, long-lost figure emerging from the steam, suitcase in hand, while Jenny Agutter says Daddy, my daddy and rushes in for a hug. Except of course, this daddy is just as likely to jab her in the eye,
Soccer (FIFA)
Television
fromThe Atlantic
5 months ago

It's Not Just Netflix-It's Your Entire Life

Netflix is building platform-wide fandom through live events, immersive installations, and cross-franchise promotion to encourage subscribers to engage with and discover more of its content.
Boston Celtics
fromBoston.com
5 months ago

'Making a fool of myself': New Celtics owner Bill Chisholm opens up about hype videos he made for team

Bill Chisholm, new Celtics owner and fan, created energetic hype videos for his family during the Celtics' 2024 playoff run and praises coach Joe Mazzulla.
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 months ago

Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror review joyous fan history of the cult classic

As well as cast members like Little Nell and Barry Bostwick, the talking heads here include original-stage-version actors, fans, and producers, one of whom really nails why Rocky is such a delight: Rocky was an accident. You can't try to have an accident. This gets to the heart of why this particular phenomenon is special and why so many imitators and projects conceived with the intention of being cult entertainment are doomed to fail
Film
fromBusiness Insider
5 months ago

Beautiful boys and merch madness: 12 hours of K-pop heaven at Seventeen's South Korea concert

"I'm crossing oceans to see Joshua Hong, and this is going to change my life," I said in my friend group chat, drunk with victory, with my prize from the Seventeen concert ticketing war in hand. To be clear, I didn't meet the US-born member of the boy band Seventeen, but I did hop on an international flight to see him and the group perform.
Music
Silicon Valley
fromWIRED
5 months ago

Palantir Wants to Be a Lifestyle Brand

Palantir has cultivated a devoted fanbase that treats the company like a lifestyle brand, celebrating stock moves, contracts, and buying branded merchandise.
Television
fromSlate Magazine
5 months ago

How a Romance Series Became the Surprisingly Divisive Show of the Summer

Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty became a major cultural phenomenon with record streaming viewership, viral fandom, and strong influence among women 18–34.
fromESPN.com
5 months ago

'His mission is to be the best quarterback': Why fame hasn't changed Jayden Daniels

As Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made his way through the concourse of Capital One Arena following a Washington Capitals game in late April, he was forced to begrudgingly reach a conclusion about his status in the nation's capital that many had known for months: He was a big deal. On this day, the simple act of walking to the bathroom required the help of four to five security guards. There, a handful of fans tried to snap selfies with him.
Washington DC
SF LGBT
fromSan Francisco Bay Times
5 months ago

The Valkyries Queer Lovefest Continues as Team Heads to Playoffs - San Francisco Bay Times

The Golden State Valkyries quickly became a hugely successful, lucrative WNBA team with an exceptionally passionate fanbase, especially among LGBTQ+ women.
fromESPN.com
5 months ago

Cleveland Browns fans know how to keep the faith

THEY START GATHERING four hours before the gates open. It's a muggy Friday morning in late July, with thunder forecast for the afternoon, but the fans lining up outside the back entrance to the Cleveland Browns' training facility in Berea, Ohio, will not be deterred. They're here, on a leafy suburban street six weeks before the regular season, for the Browns' first public day of training camp, which is free each year.
National Football League
fromstupidDOPE | Est. 2008
6 months ago

SWAG Golf Brings NFL Energy to the Course with Exclusive Headcovers | stupidDOPE | Est. 2008

Football season may be all about Sundays, but this fall, SWAG Golf is making sure the energy doesn't stop at the stadium gates. The Chicago-based disruptor in premium golf gear has teamed up with the NFL to drop a first-of-its-kind collection of officially licensed headcovers, letting fans rep their squad while chasing birdies. With all 32 franchises represented, this limited-edition release isn't just about protecting clubs - it's about bringing game-day swagger straight to the fairway.
National Football League
Soccer (FIFA)
fromESPN.com
6 months ago

Despite loss, Son's LAFC homecoming highlights increasing pride from L.A.'s Korean community

Los Angeles embraced Son Heung-Min with overwhelming Korean-American fanfare, turning his LAFC debut into a cultural celebration despite a 2-1 loss.
Women
fromwww.mercurynews.com
6 months ago

Where We Live: The Valkyries' purple madness

The Golden State Valkyries draw sellout crowds in their inaugural season as fans embrace Valkyrie imagery and fill Chase Center for home games.
fromwww.npr.org
6 months ago

2025 Pokemon World Championships show how competitive the game still is

Coming to the Pokemon World Championships was not on my 2025 bingo card,
Video games
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