Bud Light partnered with KRC Research and conducted a national, online quantitative survey with NFL fans ages 21 and older. More than 9,500 interviews were fielded among the 32 NFL team fan bases, including approximately 300 fan interviews per team.
More than 50 questions were asked and, out of that, an “NFL Fan Superstition Index” formed. The index calculates the superstition level of each NFL fan base by each fan’s game-day habits – everything from wearing dirty jerseys, chanting and kissing team trinkets to superstition consistency and true belief levels – and aggregates those into a score from 0 to 100. In addition to ranking the teams, the survey also gathered open-ended responses from fans about their individual superstitious activities.
The result is a fascinating glimpse inside the minds of NFL fans who will do whatever it takes for the win. After all, it’s only weird if it doesn’t work:
- Super Bowl and superstition champions: Baltimore Ravens fans rank as the most superstitious in the NFL.
- That’s dedication: Carolina Panthers fans are four times more likely than the average NFL fan to have a relationship end due to their game-day superstitions (8 percent versus the NFL fan average of 2 percent).
- New Orleans Saints fans are most likely to say a certain saying, phrase, cheer or song for the win (37 percent).
- New York Jets fans are most likely to try to curse or jinx the opposing team (37 percent).
- Some quality me time: Detroit Lions fans are most likely to engage in superstitious activities alone (30 percent).
- Lucky duds: Oakland Raiders fans are most likely to wear the same article of clothing (51 percent) or same hat or non-clothing accessory (38 percent) to boost team performance.
- Arizona Cardinals fans are most likely to grab a Bud Light for the win; 27 percent incorporate the official beer sponsor of the NFL into their game-day superstitions or rituals.
