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In the last decade, fantasy sports have completely transformed the way we watch sports, be it cricket, football or any other sport. What once started as a fun activity has gained immense popularity and become a sport in itself. Thanks to fantasy cricket and other sports platforms, our engagement with the games we love has increased immensely. They have effectively blurred the distinction between being a passive viewer and an active player.
What is driving this transformation? What’s behind the soaring popularity of fantasy sports?
Let us dive in and find out.
The origin and rise of fantasy sports
It all started in the 1980s when a man named Daniel Okrent created Rotisserie Baseball, drafting teams with friends at a New York restaurant. His baseball league became the foundation for the kind of fantasy games we enjoy today.
Thanks to smartphones and computers, you can select a team on the fantasy app in just a few minutes. Apps track every player’s on-field statistics in real time. They even tell you who is injured or who you might want to pick. You can trade players, chat with others in the league, and see scores instantly.
How are fantasy sports changing our game-watching experience?
India’s fantasy game industry is growing rapidly. This rise is bringing a lot of changes in our experience of watching sports.
1. Every sport is becoming important
Before fantasy sports, people only cared about their favorite teams. For example, if you were a die-hard Mumbai team fan, you wouldn’t be much interested in a match between Bangalore and Hyderabad teams. But fantasy sports have completely changed that and you are engaged in all matches. That’s the beauty of fantasy sports. They add a personal touch to every match.
2. Watching games is now a multi-screen activity
Nowadays people keep track of the matches happening on one screen and have their fantasy apps open in the background where they’re constantly refreshing live scores and user rankings. Sometimes they watch the match on TV and keep an eye on their players’ performance and team’s ranking on their mobiles. They might also be chatting with a friend, complaining about a player’s poor form or sharing the excitement of their captain performing excellently. Thus, fantasy sports also help you to engage with the game and connect with likeminded people.
3. Fans take pride in their own picks
Winning a fantasy contest feels better and more exciting than just watching the game. When your carefully chosen captain scores big or your surprise pick makes the difference, it’s a personal victory. This sense of pride and ownership keeps fans deeply engaged, looking forward to that big match next weekend.
4. Fantasy gaming makes you learn more about sports
To do well in fantasy sports, people start following sports religiously. Be it injury updates, weather conditions or watching player matchups closely, fantasy players keep an eye on everything. They observe how bowling by a certain bowler might trouble a particular batsmen and select their teams accordingly. All these analyses turn regular viewers into more informed fans who understand the game at a deeper level, thereby increasing their interest in sports.
5. Watching sports has become more interactive and engaging
Fantasy leagues bring sports fans together. The friendly teasing, memes, and post-match discussions add a whole new layer of enjoyment to watching sports. This is a great way of bonding with your loved ones and friends. You can think of it as a shared memory that you all will look back on one day and laugh.
Fantasy sports have become a regular source of healthy entertainment. They make fans care about every match, every player, and every small moment on the field. They also bring sports lovers closer together, sparking friendly rivalries and helping millions learn the game better. Fantasy sports add extra fun, excitement, and connection to being a sports fan.