article · International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics
This research investigates how climate change, specifically flooding and extreme heat, affects football fan experiences and community engagement in Nigeria. Using place attachment and social identity theories, the study explored fans' emotional connections to their viewing spaces and how shared identities contribute to resilience. Through interviews and field observations across Southern and Northern Nigeria, it was found that fans creatively adapt to environmental challenges. These adaptations include shifting to digital communities, rebuilding damaged viewing centres, and adjusting to new schedules and spaces. The study proposes the Fan Climate Adaptation Model (FCAM), which highlights how emotion, identity, and local improvisation combine to sustain community resilience.
Understanding how communities adapt to climate change is crucial for developing effective resilience strategies. This study shows that even recreational activities like football fandom can be a source of community strength and innovative adaptation in the face of environmental stress, highlighting the social dimensions of climate impact.
The abstract primarily focuses on policy relevance and social understanding rather than direct commercialisation. It suggests recognising fan spaces as climate adaptation infrastructure, which could inform urban planning, community development programmes, and disaster preparedness initiatives. There is no indication of a specific product, service, or market pathway from this research.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
This study examines the impact of climate change specifically flooding and extreme heat on football fan experiences and community engagement in Nigeria. Drawing on place attachment and social identity theory, it explores how fans emotionally connect to their viewing spaces and how these shared identities help them stay resilient under climate stress. Based on interviews and field observations across regions such as the Southern and Northern Nigeria, the study found that fans respond creatively to environmental challenges by shifting to digital communities, rebuilding damaged viewing centres, or adapting to schedules and spaces. The research introduces the Fan Climate Adaptation Model (FCAM), which explains how emotion, identity, and local improvisation combine to sustain community resilience. From a policy relevance perspective, the study argues that fan spaces and gatherings should be recognised as part of climate adaptation infrastructure, where social wellbeing, local economies, and sustainability efforts meet.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1080/19406940.2026.2722906
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
