Why do people love spectator sports?

People love spectator sports for several reasons, primarily tied to deep-seated behavioral and cognitive factors. Rhonda Patrick and Jim Kean discussed that spectator sports generate a sense of patriotism and territorial identity, which taps into primal human traits. This identity can be seen in the way teams have specific colors, mascots, and names that fans can rally behind, fostering a strong, community-like feeling. Moreover, fans seek justice in sports, desiring fair play and clear outcomes, which adds to the intrigue and emotional investment spectators have in games 1.