America’s most distracted sports fans: Just how much are they really paying attention?

Picture this: It’s the fourth quarter, the score is tied, and the crowd is going wild. But instead of locking in on the action, you’re…scrolling. Maybe you’re checking TikTok for hot takes, replying to a group chat about the game, or catching up on another match entirely. Sound familiar? Well, we hate to break it to you but, you’re not alone!

A recent study by PromoGuy reveals:

• 95% of American sports fans can’t resist using their phones while watching a game.
• On average, fans are scrolling 18 minutes per hour during a game.
• The average scrolling distance adds up to 255.15 feet per hour* - which is the equivalent of 2.7 NBA courts, 3 tennis courts, 1.3 hockey rinks, 0.7 soccer fields or 12.8 boxing rings.

That’s a whole lot of screen time for people who claim to be die-hard fans!

What are sports fans actually doing on their phones?

So, what’s so important that sports fans can’t put their phones down during the game? According to our survey, social media is the biggest distraction, with 39% of fans checking their feeds while the game is on. 27% of fans use their phones for messaging during a game, 20% keep up with the latest (sports) news while watching, while 11% spend their time browsing the internet.

That means almost two out of every five sports fans are scrolling through Instagram, or TikTok instead of focusing on the game itself. Given how much sports news happens online in real-time, it’s not all that surprising.

Who’s the most distracted?

When it comes to phone usage, not all sports fans are created equal. Turns out, fans in Alabama and Kentucky are the most distracted, averaging 28 minutes of scrolling per hour. On the other hand, New Mexico and Kansas fans seem to have the strongest attention spans, clocking in at just 11 minutes per hour.

Which sport has the most distracted fans?

Some sports seem to hold fans’ attention better than others - at least if their phone usage is anything to go by. Basketball fans are the biggest culprits, scrolling a whopping 20 minutes per hour. That’s almost two full quarters of an NBA game spent looking at social media, texting, or reading news instead of actually watching the ball.

Football fans aren’t much better at 19 minutes per hour, while soccer, auto racing, baseball, and MMA fans hover around the 17-18 minute mark. Surprisingly, golf, hockey and tennis fans seem to be the most locked in, with only 15-16 minutes of phone time per hour.

Are they even watching the game?

With so many sports fans glued to their phones, it begs the question - are they even watching the game, or are they just…adjacent to it? One thing’s for sure - their attention is clearly divided.

Some might argue that sports and phones go hand in hand. After all, social media makes the experience more interactive, and checking stats or highlights in real-time can enhance the game. But when sports fans are spending almost one-third of a match scrolling, it’s fair to wonder how much of the action they’re actually absorbing.

So next time you’re watching your favorite team, maybe challenge yourself to put the phone down (at least for a full quarter or inning). Who knows; you might actually catch a moment you’d otherwise miss.

Or, just make sure your scrolling game is as strong as your team’s defense!

Methodology

This study was conducted by PromoGuy.us in February 2025, surveying 2,000 sports fans across the United States. Participants shared their state of residence, favorite sport, and phone usage habits while watching a game. Due to insufficient data, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming were excluded. The survey sample consisted of 70% men, 29% women, and 1% non-binary, with an average respondent age of 41.9 years.

* Scroll distance calculations were based on an average phone height of 6.3 inches, with 90% screen height per swipe and 30 swipes per minute.