Watching basketball legends shoot hoops in their backyards might not have been the start to the season that fans envisioned, but as the pandemic cancels all fixtures, sports leagues such as the NBA are finding dynamic ways to reach their fans and keep them engaged throughout lockdown.

With sports on standstill to curb the spread of COVID-19, fans are filling the void by generating their own content. From trickshots to humorous tweets, ESPN is granting fans’ wishes to be at the center of the action by promoting user-generated content across its TV and social platforms.

With most live games cancelled and major international tournaments postponed, many sports fans sought out digital alternatives while COVID-19 kept them in their homes. As lockdown measures end and play resumes, which elements of virtual fandom are likely to stick around post-pandemic?

Whether it’s going down to the local soccer field, shelling out to see a big competition, or even just switching on the TV to catch the game, watching sports is a big part of Americans’ lives. Canvas8 polled 3,789 Americans and spoke to eight people to find out what gets them into professional sports.