Brain Mechanisms across the Spectrum of Engagement in Football Fans: A Functional Neuroimaging Study

Key Points

• The study aims to explore brain mechanisms involved in football fan engagement during team performances.
• Functional neuroimaging was used to assess brain activity in fans during football matches.
• Participants were football fans of different teams.
• Brain activation was compared when their team scored versus when other teams scored.
• Fans showed significant activation in the reward system of the brain when their team scored against rivals.
• In-group bonding and reinforcement of social identity were reflected in the brain responses.