Does rooting for the same sports team score you a happier relationship? 3o622n
Publish Date: 02/03/2025
Love… Some say it’s all you need, others say it’s blind. But how much does ing the same sports team (or not) really affect a happy, lasting relationship? Sports platform PromoGuy surveyed 2,000 sports-loving individuals in relationships with fellow sports enthusiasts across the country to uncover whether shared team loyalty is a matchmaker or a heartbreaker. The question: Who’s happier in their relationship—those who cheer for the same team, or those who back rival sides? 394gj
What are the odds of a happy relationship when it comes to sharing—or not sharing—a favorite sports team? When it comes to harmony at home, couples who different teams actually have the upper hand. On average, they have just 2.4 team-related arguments a year, while couples who cheer for the same team are facing 4.6 arguments annually.
But that doesn’t mean the story ends there. Couples who back different teams might argue less, but they’re generally less satisfied with their relationship compared to those who share team loyalty. The first group gives their relationship a solid 8.5 out of 10, while same-team couples rate theirs a full 9. Both high scores, but still with a noticeable difference.
Sports can be an endless source of heated debates. From team switches to bad performances, and from major transfers to minor injuries—an argument about your favorite team is never far away. While the average number of arguments nationwide stays under 5 per year for both couples who the same team and those who back different teams, there are some major outliers across states. For example, couples in Michigan who the same team argue about it an average of 14.3 times a year, the highest nationwide. Same-team couples in Maryland are also up there with an average of 12.7 team-related arguments per year, followed by Virginia at 11.8.
The highest number of team-related arguments among couples who different teams is found in New Jersey, with an average of 11.6 arguments per year. But couples in Kansas who back different teams aren’t far behind, with 11 arguments a year on average. Of all the different-team couples, New York ranks third highest, with an average of 5 disputes per year.
We also asked respondents from different states to rate their satisfaction with their relationship on a scale from 1 to 10. South Dakota and Arkansas came out on top nationwide, with couples who different teams giving their relationship an impressive 9.8 on average. Right behind them are couples from Oklahoma, also ing different teams, with a score of 9.7. When it comes to couples who the same team, Florida takes the lead with an average score of 9.6 out of 10, closely followed by Nebraska at 9.4, and North Carolina with a solid 9.3.
In January 2025, PromoGuy.us conducted an independent survey with 2,000 U.S. sports fans who were in a relationship at the time. Among the respondents, 61% had a partner who ed the same team, while 39% ed different teams. They were asked how often they argued each year about (one of) their favorite sports teams and how satisfied they were with their relationship on a scale of 1 to 10. Of all the respondents, 60% were male, 39% were female, and 1% identified as non-binary. The average age of the participants was 38.8 years. The following states were excluded due to insufficient data: Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
We spend a lot of time researching different kinds of online gaming sites so you don't have to. Our team tests and reviews betting sites and sweepstakes casinos and social gaming platforms to help you understand how they work and what makes them unique. If you're curious about online gaming options, you might want to check out our detailed guides about:
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
