Effects of atmosphere at major sports events: a perspective from environmental psychology

Abstract

This conceptual article presents a theoretical approach to understanding the atmosphere at sports stadiums. Using the environmental psychology behavioural model proposed by Mehrabian & Russell (1974), and taking into account recent findings in consumer research, we develop a comprehensive framework for investigating this atmosphere. The framework highlights the role of emotions elicited by different stimuli in sports stadiums. We also suggest a number of direct and indirect influences on behavioural outcomes, caused by the emotional reactions and personal predispositions of spectators - influences that are of economic relevance. The proposed framework also forms a starting point for future empirical studies.

Citation

Uhrich, S. and Koenigstorfer, J. (2009), "Effects of atmosphere at major sports events: a perspective from environmental psychology", International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 56-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-10-04-2009-B005