Why don't we ever sing here in America?

[greenbeans]

A parody of Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" would be perfect, it would really get people amped up...

[Joyeuse]

I went to several football matches while living in Scotland. I remember there being a lot more enthusiasm and singing and general crowd involvement. It was loads of fun.

Then again, there was also a lot more swearing, fighting, and--at one particular match--sectarian chants/fights (as in between Protestants and Catholics, which really shocked me at first because it was before I really got to know the culture). Certainly wouldn't bring any kids to a game there. I think most of the rest of Europe is supposed to be better about that kind of thing though.

All in all, very different atmospheres, but I don't think I'd say one was exclusively better than the other.

EDIT: I also like to go to international soccer games in stadiums the US featuring Honduras, Mexico, or some other team that attracts a lot of enthusiastic fans.

[Flight 23]

What you see in the stands at European sports events are the low and middle class. The real fans. The fans who would bleed for their team.

Here in the US, these people can't afford sports event tickets because teams are too busy catering to corporate America and charging big bucks for a decent seat. The end result are stadiums (especially NBA) filled with stiffs.

[MyInsatiableOne]

What you see in the stands at European sports events are the low and middle class. The real fans. The fans who would bleed for their team.

Here in the US, these people can't afford sports event tickets because teams are too busy catering to corporate America and charging big bucks for a decent seat. The end result are stadiums (especially NBA) filled with stiffs.

DING DING DING! You, sir, nailed it.

I hardly ever go to games now...it's all "fans" who have liked the teams since they started winning (2004 for the Sox, 2001 for the Pats, 2008 for the C's, and all of a sudden the B's). I've been a fan since birth 30 years ago and remember when EVERY TEAM (except for the C's) sucked and sucked BAD (although the Sox choked a few times in the '80s/90's and the B's had those 2 Cup appearances in '88 and '90)...it's so frustrating for me now to have to deal with all of these "fans" but oh well, what can you do?