Student attendance at sporting events is declining—and it's not because they stopped caring about sports or because of video games. It's actually something much deeper—they're looking for a true sense of belonging in both small digital environments and real-life experiences where they can connect with others who have similar interests. 

What does this mean for getting students to your sporting events? 

It means you have to meet them where they are with authenticity and create memorable experiences that will develop a deeper connection. They're looking for smaller, more trustworthy groups they can belong to, both digitally and in real life. And with the help of your school administration, you can present students with a unique opportunity to create that environment. 

Create a Student Club to Lead the Student Section Experience

High schools that have a club or group dedicated to the student experience of sporting events will likely have a better chance of drawing in students around them—think spirit clubs or student experience ambassadors. Give them their own brand, and let them choose how they communicate to share information with others with your oversight. Students will be more likely to attend events shared by their peers in private group chats or platforms like Tumblr, Slack, or Discord than through a mass announcement by faculty or the administration.  

Make sure the group has an identity specific to the student section; this simple change lets students become part of a fandom that extends beyond a specific sport or team.  Let students lead the charge by choosing a group name, selecting student representatives or ambassadors, and creating chants approved by the administration. Here are a few ideas for how students can lead the experience to boost engagement: 

Let them choose their own theme nights

The most successful theme nights typically don't start with a faculty member choosing the theme and sharing it over an intercom or even on Instagram. They actually start with the student-led club choosing the theme night and sharing it through their own group chat and channels. Students are more likely to participate in something that's directed by their peers. Have the students share their theme night selections in advance so you can create custom content that fits the theme. 

Host a pre-game event for students

This doesn't have to be too complex, but it can be an incredibly powerful influence on student attendance. Let your student club host a pre-game event either in the building or in the parking lot, and let your booster club be part of it. They can supply snacks, drinks, and even theme night attire. Remember, your students aren't just looking for another game to attend—they're seeking impactful connections with their peers through an IRL (In Real Life) experience. Letting them build momentum will not only lead to a loud student section but also give them a chance to hang out and chat before they head to the stands. 

Pre-game walk-ins as a ritual

Let your students walk into the stadium or gym all together to a theme song chosen by your student leaders. Similar to your player introductions or a tunnel walk, giving these students a ritual can get them excited for the game and make them feel truly a part of the experience. ScoreVision Production makes it super easy for you to play on-demand content like a video as you bring in the student section. 

Layer Across Other Interests, Don't Just Focus on School Spirit 

Your student body is vast, and it's filled with kids who have more than one interest. It's important you tie game day to other "fandoms" like gaming, art, podcasts, and content creators. Don't just ask them to become "school spirit people"; instead, find the door through something they already care about. 

Art students can make great banners and signage for your student section. Let your podcasters be part of a student broadcast where they interview athletes, coaches, and fans about the game. Get your content creators on the sidelines capturing footage or photos, then let them create edits for your socials or for future events as part of your on-demand production. You can even have content creators produce content outside the game for you to play on the scoreboard, like player introductions, interviews, and other hype content. 

You haven't lost your students; you just need to meet them where they are. By letting students form smaller communities that layer together to make up your larger student body, you're giving them the opportunity to create memorable experiences that align with their current interests. It's time we brought students back to game day—start here.