Sports fandom is often framed as a lifelong commitment, but for some supporters, it’s something even more permanent. The kind of loyalty that doesn’t just survive bad seasons, relocations, or heartbreak, but quite literally follows them to the grave.
A new survey of 3,013 sports fans by SportsbookReview.com, a leading sports review site, set out to explore just how deep those allegiances run, asking a surprisingly revealing question:
If given the choice, which stadium would you want your ashes scattered in?
The results paint a picture of the venues fans feel most emotionally tied to and how those connections blur the line between tradition, identity, and ritual. The study also digs into how far supporters would actually go to make it happen, including whether they would bend (or quietly ignore) the rules to secure a final resting place on hallowed ground.
Illinois sports fans’ choices were as follows:
#1. Wrigley Field, Chicago
Standing on the corner of Clark and Addison since 1914, Wrigley Field is more than a ballpark—it’s a living monument to baseball itself. For those who waited their whole lives for the curse to break, having ashes scattered here means never leaving the place where faith was finally rewarded. The ivy-covered walls, the manual scoreboard, and the rooftops beyond have witnessed over a century of Cubs history. When that championship finally came in 2016, generations of heartache transformed into unbridled joy.
#2. Soldier Field, Chicago
Perched along the Lake Michigan shoreline since 1924, Soldier Field has stood watch over Chicago through nearly a century of football and history. To be laid to rest here is to remain part of a venue that embodies the toughness of the city it serves. While the Bears prepare for a new chapter elsewhere, these classical colonnades give it a gravitas that modern venues can’t replicate. Bitter winds off the lake only add to its character.
#3. United Center, Chicago
Since 1994, the United Center has been where Chicago comes to witness greatness. Michael Jordan’s statue soars within the atrium, and both the Bulls and Blackhawks have raised championship banners inside these walls. The ghosts of dynasties past seem to linger in the rafters alongside all those retired numbers. Even in a symbolic sense, imagining ashes scattered here captures the idea of staying close to a building that knows exactly what winning looks like.
#4. Rate Field, Chicago
Home to the White Sox since 1991, Rate Field has been the South Side’s baseball cathedral for over three decades. Scattering ashes here honors a connection to a fanbase that wears its loyalty like a badge of honor. The exploding scoreboard celebrates every home run, carrying on a tradition that dates back to old Comiskey Park across the street. There’s a blue-collar pride in these stands that reflects the neighborhood surrounding it.
Infographic showing where sports fans want their ashes spread
Why a Stadium?
When asked what drives this kind of attachment, the answers were telling and deeply human:
- Emotional memories (family, friends, childhood) — 26%
- Lifelong support for a team — 25%
- It would be meaningful for loved ones — 19%
- It feels like a “second home” — 17%
- Symbol of identity / who I am — 13%
Together, they paint a picture of fandom that goes far beyond entertainment. These aren’t just places people visit—they are places people return to, again and again, across decades.
Would Fans Bend the Rules?
The survey also explored how far supporters would go to make this final wish a reality: 23% said they would still consider scattering ashes even if it wasn’t allowed.
Where Would They Choose?
If given the choice of location within a stadium:
- 64% would choose the field or court.
- 32% would prefer outside the stadium
- 4% would opt for the stands
How Would Loved Ones Feel?
Being asked to carry out such a request brings its own emotional weight:
- 30% would feel honored
- 49% would feel comfortable, but unsure how to go about it
- 21% would feel uncomfortable
Should Stadiums Allow It?
Opinion is split, but leans slightly in favor: 54% believe ash-scattering should be allowed in controlled circumstances.
“Sports stadiums are some of the few places left where multiple generations share the exact same emotional experience,” says James Bisson, the Editor-in-Chief of SportsbookReview.com. “What we’re seeing here isn’t just about fandom – it’s about memory, identity, and belonging. For many people, these venues represent a constant in their lives, so it’s not surprising that some would want to remain connected to them in a lasting, symbolic way.”
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