SportsField Management magazine – through its partner company EPG Specialty Information and the MyVoiceRewards program – recently conducted a consumer survey to gauge sports field perceptions by athletic field/facility users and sports fans. The survey, conducted during July and August of 2024, sought feedback from MyVoiceRewards members and garnered 583 responses.
Sports participation
More than 80% of all respondents indicated that they play/participate in a sport on a regular basis. Of those, many regularly participate in more than one sport.
The most popular sports among respondents were golf (30%), swimming (26%), tennis (24%), basketball (22%), football/flag football (12%), volleyball (12%), soccer (9%), softball (9%) and pickleball (8%). Sports with 5% or lower participation among respondents included archery, badminton, cycling, disc golf, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, skateboarding, skiing, and track and field, among others.
Of those who indicated that they play a particular sport, more than 80% of respondents in each category play several times per month, with more than 50% each of baseball, basketball and football players indicating that they play their sport weekly.
We asked respondents who play field sports about their preferred playing surface. Their responses were as follows:
- Baseball: 70% prefer playing on natural grass, 20% prefer playing on synthetic turf, 10% had no preference.
- Field hockey: 47% prefer natural grass, 29% prefer synthetic, 23% no preference.
- Football: 57% prefer natural grass, 30% prefer synthetic, 13% no preference.
- Lacrosse: 28% prefer natural grass, 44% prefer synthetic, 28% no preference.
- Rugby: 54% prefer natural grass, 25% prefer synthetic, 21% no preference.
- Soccer: 38% prefer natural grass, 13% prefer synthetic, 49% no preference.
- Softball: 84% prefer natural grass, 6% prefer synthetic, 10% no preference.
Among athletes who prefer playing on natural grass, the most popular reasons for that preference were that natural grass… has a better scent (58%), is less abrasive and causes fewer injuries than synthetic turf (57%), has a cooling effect when it’s hotter outside (52%), feels softer under the foot (37%), and is more forgiving to falls or impact on the body (37%).
Among athletes who prefer to play on synthetic turf, the most popular reasons given were that synthetic turf…requires less maintenance (63%), looks better (62%), is more durable (62%), provides a more consistent playing surface (54%), is safer (47%), reduces the risk of getting dirty (43%), can be used year round (40%) and reduces the chances of games being cancelled (38%).
When asked what is most important to them at the field/facility where they play their sport, safe playing surfaces (26%) and well-maintained playing surfaces (22%) ranked behind items such as convenient parking (64%), quality restrooms (38%), safe/secure environment (37%), availability of food and beverage (30%), and equipment rental/purchase options (27%).
More than 70% of respondents rated the quality of the facility at which they play as average or above average. For those who indicated that they play at a “below average” facility, the top two responses for how their facility could be improved were improved field maintenance (48%) and better/safer playing surfaces (46%).
Sixty-six percent of sports participants “agree” or “strongly agree” that the quality of the playing surface significantly affects their enjoyment of the sport. Sixty-two percent agree or strongly agree that field maintenance and field quality are directly related to their safety as an athlete. And 59% agree or strongly agree that they are willing to pay a higher fee for access to a well-maintained sports field or facility. Seventy-two percent agree or strongly agree that they are more likely to recommend a sports facility to others based on their playing experience.
Sports attendance
The second part of our survey garnered feedback from the respondents regarding their sports attendance (In this case, “attendance” involves watching others play a sport in which the respondent is not actively involved. Seventy percent of survey respondents indicated that they regularly attend sporting events, with the most popular sports to attend being (in order) baseball, football, basketball, soccer, golf, softball and tennis. Respondents are most likely to attend professional sporting events (compared to other levels of sport), but 55% did indicate that they attend sports being played by their immediate family members at the youth or recreational levels.
In terms of the desired amenities when attending a sporting event, respondents want clean/accessible restrooms (58%), comfortable seating (57%), adequate parking (49%), good visibility of the field/court (42%), a family friendly environment (36%), quality and variety of concessions (34%), security/safety measures (26%), overall field/stadium aesthetics and cleanliness (22%) and shaded/covered seating areas (19%).
When it comes to safety and security, we asked “On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being not important to 10 being extremely important), how would you rate the importance of security (metal detectors, fan screening, bag checks, visible security presence, etc.) to your overall fan experience?” Nearly 60% of respondents rated the importance of safety/security measures as 8 or higher, with most (32%) rating it as a 10 (extremely important).
We also asked sporting event attendees how often they notice if the field being played on is natural grass or artificial turf, and 62% said they always notice, while another 23% said they notice most of the time.
