When FC Barcelona plays again, it will be behind closed doors, much to the dismay of devoted fans. To keep people engaged and reignite their loyalty, the team and its sponsor CUPRA are inviting fans to send in selfies of support, which will be displayed on screens during matches to keep morale high.

COVID-19 may have hit pause on live sports fixtures, but fans in the US are still consuming copious amounts of sports content. From archived footage to esports tournaments, the pandemic is forging novel sports experiences, and new opportunities for brands to connect with fans.

Game attendance may be in decline, but sports fans are still as passionate and engaged as ever. Whether it’s live-streaming a game or following a team on TikTok, there are so many ways to be a fan. Canvas8 spoke to sports psychologist Dr. Dan Wann to understand how sports fandom is evolving.

With digital channels offering them increased access to their heroes, casual supporters and ‘stans’ alike are embracing novel ways of showing their devotion to celebs and sports teams. How are these passionate individuals forging new cultural tribes and changing expectations of fan interactions?