Sports entities should notice the importance fan engagement has in growing and having success as a business. Sports clubs and events want to have sold-out stadiums. Fan engagement is key in achieving this goal, whether that is online or offline. Of course the two are intertwined, it is difficult to have a crowded fan zone without spreading the word on your social media accounts. After having taken a look at 7 online fan engagement ideas from football, it is interesting to see how football clubs and events keep engaging their fans offline. So here are 6 offline fan engagement ideas taken from football.

Make fans part of the team

Go Ahead Eagles team photo

Go Ahead Eagles (team in the Dutch Eredivisie) decided to take their team picture accompanied by their 12^th man.

Manchester United jersey commercial

Manchester United involved their fans to reveal this season’s jersey. Walking through the streets of Manchester, singing ‘Glory Glory Man United’, the fans show the evolvement of the club’s jersey through the years.

In-stadium fan engagement

Fan noise

There is a reason fans are called the 12^th man. The effects a great atmosphere can have on a team are immense. Jose Mourinho recently criticized the atmosphere the fans at Stamford Bridge produce. Consequently the Independent tested (not too scientifically) which fans are the loudest in the Premier League.
Wembley Stadium’s arch now has a lightning system that not only responds to goals scored or team’s colors, but also to the noise fans make. The lightning system can be used as a sort of in-stadium decibel meter. (Via @SportTechie)

Wave world record attempt

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) and sponsor Heineken asked fans to participate in an attempt to break the world record of longest Mexican wave when The Netherlands played Mexico in the Amsterdam Arena.

Involvement pre and post event

Champions League fan zone

A Champions League final is a maximum of 120 minutes of football plus penalties. In order to engage fans UEFA organizes a special show before kick-off, as is common at major events. In addition, the Champions League has a special fan zone (Champions Festival). This fan zone ensures that fan engagement is possible in the days leading up to the event, when many fans are already in the city. It includes games for kids, autograph sessions and other activities.

Champions Festival during the 2010 Champions League Final

Trophy tour

To bring the event to the fans, FIFA has had several ‘Trophy tours’. The trophy goes around the world to the countries or clubs that participate in the event. Fans therefore get the opportunity to see the trophy up close and take a picture with it. The trophy tour does not only promote the event, it also gives FIFA an opportunity to spread the word on certain issues and engage fans.

Do you have a great example of fan engagement?