FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK – Fantasy sports is a $7.22 billion industry, according to new research conducted by Ipsos Marketing for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) and unveiled June 20 at the 2017 FSTA Summer Conference in New York City.
Additionally, the study revealed that there are 59.3 million fantasy sports players in the United States and Canada, a 3.3% jump from a year ago. This is the largest number of participants recorded in the 14-year history of the FSTA study.
“The fantasy sports industry’s continuing growth demonstrates consumers’ passion for the hobby and their desire to play with friends and family,” said FSTA president Paul Charchian. “We continue to see innovation that broadens the appeal of fantasy sports and data that shows tremendous gains in the scale of participation and economic impact.”
In 2017, the FSTA and Ipsos focused heavily on the spending habits of fantasy players, yielding results that include:
- Over $1 billion spent on “ancillary” activities and goods, including draft parties, Sunday pizza deliveries and fantasy memorabilia
- 84% hold a draft party and over 90% of players buy food and/or alcohol at the party
- 57% have a league-wide event outside of the draft party, including going to bars or clubs (51%), a group trip (47%), and a golf outing (44%)
- 73% spend money on a non-cash prize for their league winner (e.g., trophy, belt, ring)
- 68% spend money on a “prize” for the league loser, such as a “toilet bowl” trophy, tattoo, or t-shirt
- Fantasy sports participants are fiercely loyal to the players they draft. 73% have purchased memorabilia related to their fantasy teams (e.g., player jersey, autograph)Other notable findings in the 2017 study include:
- Overall, fantasy participation is 29% female
- 80% of fantasy sports players aged 18+ have used Uber in the last year; 72% have used Lyft
- Of the fantasy players who watch Sunday games at someone’s home, 73% order delivery from stores such as Domino’s, Papa John’s, or Pizza Hut while 61% purchase food from places like Burger King, Wendy’s, or McDonald’s
- 16% over the age of 18 have tried their hand at a fantasy “Bachelor” gameFor more information on the 2017 FSTA-Ipsos study, or to arrange an interview with Charchian, contact Aaron Manogue (amanogue@thefsga.org).
Methodology
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. Phase 1 of the survey, conducted from March 1-6, 2017 in Canada, and May 30-June 1, 2017 in the U.S. included a representative, randomly selected sample of 3,600 teens and adults from Ipsos’ online panel who were interviewed online to determine the fantasy sports market size in the U.S. and Canada. For Phase 2 of the survey, conducted from May 2-5, 2017, a representative, randomly selected sample of 1,000 past year fantasy players from Ipsos’ online panel were interviewed online to assess spending behaviors and playing behaviors of Traditional Fantasy and Daily Fantasy players.
The margin of error for the Phase 2 survey is ± 3.1 percentage points. The data was collected in a manner which ensures that the sample’s age, gender and region composition reflects that of the actual U.S. and Canada populations according to Census information. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
About FSTA
The Fantasy Sports Trade Association represents the fantasy sports industry with over 175 member companies ranging from small startups to large media corporations. As the voice of the industry since 1998, the FSTA has been the leader in providing demographic data, annual conferences and collective action to ensure unfettered growth. For more information, visit www.thefsga.org. It has commissioned the study every year since 2004.
About Ipsos Marketing
Ipsos Marketing specializes in addressing issues related to innovation, market understanding and path to purchase. Ipsos Marketing helps clients to define their marketing strategy, identify new opportunities, understand buying behavior, develop brands, services and products and optimize the allocation of their marketing expenditures. Embedded within Ipsos Marketing is the Ipsos Lottery & Gaming specialty practice for North America. With more than 25 years of dedicated experience to this industry, Ipsos has the depth of expertise and knowledge to help clients understand their marketplace and grow their business now and in the future.
Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In the U.S., UK and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. It provides boutique-style customer service and works closely with its clients, while also undertaking global research. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-na.com.