Posted 8:41 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2026
Content warning: intimate partner violence, abuse
The correlation between intimate partner violence and sporting events has been increasingly studied over the last forty years. While this research continues and has space to expand and clarify findings, one thing is clear: sporting events can greatly increase the rates of domestic violence.
Let’s take a closer look…
Some studies have shown opposing results, leading to difficulty in pinpointing exactly what about a sport makes the odds of fan-related violence more likely. However, the culture surrounding a sport certainly plays a role. Some sports fans experience “intensely emotional attachments … some fans being passionate to the point of addiction” (Forsdike et al., 2022). These deep emotional ties to a team or sport can influence someone’s behavior, and things like a frustrating game or an unexpected loss have been found to escalate violent home situations among fans and their partners/families.
Gambling, specifically sports gambling, also amplifies intimate partner violence and sometimes even child abuse (Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities). This can be due to emotional distress combined with financial losses. While there are statistics surrounding these spikes in lash-outs and violence, it’s also important to remember that the rates are likely higher than reported, as incidents are often not reported immediately, if at all.
Now this information is important, but what can we do about it? We can emphasize the importance of emotional regulation and expression in healthy ways, spread this knowledge, and incorporate practices into our own lives. Emotional regulation can look like (Rocky Mountain Counseling Collective):
- Practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques to return to a calmer and more positive mindset
- Taking time to focus on labeling and accepting the emotions you feel without judging yourself
- Slowing down for a few deep, calming breaths when emotions are heightened
- Finding an activity that can help you practice relaxation and self-expression (crafting, journaling (see our previous posts!), yoga, reading, etc.)
If you or a friend has experienced sexual assault, stalking, or relationship violence, free and confidential support is available through Violence Prevention.
Ali Froelich, Peer Health Advocate