An Assessment of the Dynamic of Religious Ritualism in Sporting Environments

Abstract

The main focus of this study is the analysis of the link between sport, leisure and the behavior, and phenomenon of religion. From the qualitative point of view of social anthropology, fieldwork has been carried out with different informers from different sporting environments. Rather than directly show the fieldwork itself, we have decided to present an interpretation of it through an analysis of the environments, behaviors, attitudes, the discourse of leisure and sport and its relationship with market forces, advertising and the media. In this regard, we point out a reality which for some people is their conscience or reason for being, opening new directions of study and viewpoints in this area of sporting and health studies.

Hierophany and Sport

“…Sport can become a substitute for religion, not a manifestation or an essential part of it. Or it can be instrumentally used for religious purposes, as sport can become a means of pastoring and promoting religion (Fernández and Cachán-Cruz 2014), with sport chaplaincy focusing on the potential connection between the two (Davis and Serventi 2017;Kenney 2016;Roe and Parker 2016), and the theoretical dimension being elaborated by the theology of sport (Ellis 2014;Harvey 2012;Hoven et al 2022;Shafer 2015).…”

Liminality and Event Design: Liminal Space Design for Sport Events

“…Moreover, sport and sport events have been likened to a form of religion, given their deep-rooted (e.g. spiritual) connection with solidarity in the ritualistic performativity displayed by fans, as spectators, that is associated with a particular sports culture or team (Cheska, 1978;Serazio, 2013;Fernández Cachán-Cruz, 2014;van Vuuren, 2014). These rituals range from chanting, drinks before and after the sport event, or wearing team kit (McDonald & Karg, 2014).…”

“…location) where the event is staged. Theming in sport event design has been recognised by several authors as critical to emotionality, escapism and experience (Chalip, 2006, Fernández & Cachán-Cruz, 2014Lee et al 2015), which further boosts feelings of celebration, communitas, and symbolism. The theming of a sport event should not be limited to the arena, stadium or venue where it is being hosted as liminality can be encountered before, during and after an event; subsequently rituals are not confined to specific settings.…”

“…For example, in addition to sport cafes and bars, food and beverage both in and outside the stadium can be themed to reflect the sport event that is being hosted. As Fernández and Cachán-Cruz (2014) observe in their study of the embodiment of ritualistic practice in sporting environments, menus can be designed innovatively, where dishes were presented under first half, second half, and extra time sections. This intertwines two ritualistic practices, consumption of food and the structure of the sport event, and thus ensures that the event theme can be experienced in every part of the event.…”