Spectators’ threat and coping appraisals and intentions to re-attend a match during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research question: Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, various restrictions have been imposed on sport organisations in terms of organising events. However, it is unclear how spectators perceive the threat of the COVID-19 and cope with it and whether they intend to attend matches again. Therefore, this study used the protection motivation theory to explore the relationships between spectators’ threat and coping appraisals and intentions to re-attend a match during the COVID-19 pandemic.Research methods: Data were collected from live spectators (n = 347) attending a Japanese professional volleyball match. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the research hypotheses.Results and Findings: The study indicated that threat appraisal (i.e. perceived severity and susceptibility) and coping appraisal (i.e. self-efficacy and venue response efficacy) were significantly associated with protection motivation. Venue response efficacy and protection motivation were significantly related to spectators’ intention to re-attend matches, while threat appraisal and self-efficacy were unrelated. Furthermore, protection motivation mediated both threat and coping appraisal and the intention to re-attend.Implications: This study contributes to theorising the decision-making process of spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to extending the protection motivation theory, the findings show what sport organisations need to be aware of in holding matches and games during the pandemic.