Explore 10 of the best multiplayer games with in-game chat, from Roblox to Rust. Learn how voice, text, and proximity chat shape player experiences.

Talking, Teaming, and Thriving: How In-Game Chats Affect Players’ Experience

<div style="font-size:14px;line-height:1;" id="toc">On this page&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="#introduction">Introduction</a>&nbsp;<a href="#roblox">1. Roblox</a>&nbsp;<a href="#call-of-duty">2. Call of Duty</a>&nbsp;<a href="#dota-2">3. Dota 2</a>&nbsp;<a href="#league-of-legends">4. League of Legends</a>&nbsp;<a href="#apex-legends">5. Apex Legends</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="#minecraft">6. Minecraft&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;<a href="#sea-of-thieves">7. Sea of Thieves</a>&nbsp;<a href="#rust">8. Rusts</a>&nbsp;<a href="#fortnite">9. Fortnite</a>&nbsp;<a href="#warframe">10. Warframe</a>&nbsp;</div><div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watchers.io/post/You-Never-Game-Alone-Chats-and-Live-Streaming-to-Make-Gaming-Brighter">In-game community chats have become</a> the lifeblood of multiplayer titles. Beyond the action itself, players bond, joke, strategise, and sometimes clash through the chat windows or voice channels embedded directly in the gameplay. While moderation and design vary, these systems shape how communities grow. Below, we explore ten popular titles where the chat isn’t just a feature; it’s a vital part of the experience.Recently, Nintendo Switch announced and released in-game chat, allowing players to communicate during gameplay with voice or video. The news is stunning: Mario games are becoming even better than they used to be. There is a new chat creation feature, along with a list of chats available. So players can now literally be together on the road. Players can share screens and delete backgrounds from their videos, as in meetings. Let’s explore other game solutions that enable gamers to express emotions directly within the game.<h2 id="roblox">1. Roblox</h2>Roblox has a mix of text chat and console-style voice chat, depending on the game within the platform. Also, players can convert voice into text, which helps them stay on track. Players use the chat feature to coordinate in mini-games, roleplay, or just hang out. However, moderation <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gZ_DsIs4xaM">remains</a> a hot topic: many users note flaws in the system, where inappropriate language sometimes slips through. Despite this, Roblox’s in-game chat is still central to its identity, particularly for younger players experimenting with social play.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1947/978;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/d7094266-b24a-455b-a16b-693cb7a10768.png" alt="The best games with in-game proximity text chat - Roblox" width="1947" height="978"></figure><h2 id="сall-of-duty">2. Call of Duty (Modern Warfare III, Modern Warfare II, and Warzone)</h2>COD’s in-game chat is voice-first, with text channels supplementing lobbies. Recently, Activision integrated AI moderation (ToxMod) to combat harassment and hate speech. Some players welcome the reduction in toxicity, while others <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k9RLIV0B9J8">complain</a> that the filter also discourages free banter (you can find many discussions of this on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/COD/comments/1h6z0h9/down_with_ai_moderation/">Reddit</a>). Still, the immediacy of COD’s voice comms, whether for “smack talk” or tactical updates, remains a hallmark of its multiplayer atmosphere.<h2 id="dota-2">3. Dota 2</h2>Valve’s Dota 2 features team voice chat, party chat, and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flLahwS4kS4">famous “chat wheel,”</a> which is a radial menu of quick, often sarcastic, preset lines. This design lets players communicate instantly without typing, which is critical during fast matches. The community is divided: some adore the humour, others bemoan the saltiness. Still, the chat wheel has become a cultural touchstone in e-sports broadcasts.<h2 id="league-of-legends">4. League of Legends</h2>Like Dota, League of Legends offers team text chat and pings. Voice chat is limited to premade parties, which reduces random toxicity but also <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jWojvzeXyM&amp;t=5s">frustrates</a> players who want whole team comms. The typed chat system, meanwhile, is infamous: memes about “mid or feed” trace back to LoL lobbies. Riot has invested heavily in moderation tools, but the chat remains both loved and loathed.<h2 id="apex-legends">5. Apex Legends</h2>Apex stands out for its ping system, a smart contextual tool allowing players to “chat” non-verbally with markers. Players can press a button on PlayStation, RB on Xbox, or PC to place a contextual ping or send an "enemy here" ping. The game also includes squad voice chat, which fans say enhances immersion during firefights. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/12/apex-legends-review">Reviewers</a> and players note the community is more cooperative than in other shooters, largely thanks to Respawn’s clever blend of silent and spoken communication.<h2 id="minecraft">6. Minecraft&nbsp;</h2>The world of little Minecrafters offers a text-based in-game chat system that serves both communication and commands. Players can use the chat box to type messages and run commands. In Bedrock Edition, users enjoy more customisation within the chat screen itself, such as changing font, text colour, and size, as well as options for opacity and delay settings. Of course, Minecraft supports quite<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360058605852-Understanding-Minecraft-Social-Features-for-Child-Safety-Online"> strict moderation</a>. Still, because of the extremely young audience, the constant <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cybersafetyguy.com/p/minecraft-a-parents-guide-7189228ba96c">argument</a> about the safety of the Minecraft community tools continues.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1080;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/8b6d9018-023c-4fe2-9d15-71f318d59886.png" width="1920" height="1080"></figure><h2 id="sea-of-thieves">7. Sea of Thieves</h2>In Rare’s pirate sandbox, proximity voice chat is as important as the sword or cannon. Crew members coordinate their sailing, but nearby strangers can also be heard, leading to hilarious, tense, or chaotic encounters on the high seas. Many players say these unpredictable voice interactions are the game’s “secret sauce,” creating emergent stories that no script could match. Sea of Thieves &lt;a target=" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gamesradar.com/sea-of-thieves-is-pulling-voice-and-text-chat-between-crews-from-arena-due-to-toxicity/"&gt;faced problems with toxicity, and instead of shutting the chat, aimed to make the “criticism of other ships” constructive and polite. Now chat, voice-to-text, and Pirate Chat wheel are available in the game.<h2 id="rust">8. Rust</h2>Another survival title, Rust, relies heavily <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.pcgamer.com/rust-review/">on proximity and party chat</a>. Players can shout warnings, negotiate trades or roleplay, though betrayal is always a risk. Reviews often <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/blog/rust-early-access-review-a-game-i-love-to-hate/#:~:text=But%20at%20its%20best%2C%20Rust,is%20an%20exercise%20in%20masochism.">highlight</a> how a simple “hello” over the voice can spark alliances… or ambushes. Rust’s chat is unfiltered and raw, which many see as part of its charm, but many players’ reviews highlight its connection with high-level toxicity and a potentially frustrating experience.“Everyone’s already playing with their friends, communicating with each other exclusively on party chat. I’ve only ONCE met a couple of friendly people via proximity/game chat. 99.99% of the time, this game just feels like Call of Duty with the addition of base-building elements. I like talking to randoms.” — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thexboxhub.com/rust-console-edition-review/#:~:text=The%20animation%20on%20the%20characters,department%20can%20take%20a%20bow">TheBoxHub.</a><h2 id="fortnite">9. Fortnite</h2>Fortnite recently <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://gamerant.com/fortnite-text-chat/">introduced</a> a redesigned chat feature, which now includes three channels: game (all players), party (chatting with squad members), and direct messaging. Also, they improved the filtering system to provide stronger protection of personal data. Fortnite <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350314539_Fortnite_and_New_Kids'_Sociabilities">boasts</a> the largest community, and its internal social features are poised to take it to the next level.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1080;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/bbda4eb7-9480-4b10-bf1c-4eadb0b2c9e7.jpg" alt="The best games with in-game chat feature - Fortnite" width="1920" height="1080"></figure><h2 id="warframe">10. Warframe</h2>Digital Extremes’ Warframe has a reputation for being one of the friendliest online communities. Its chat channels (region, clan, squad, trade, and private whispers) are well-moderated, with staff and players alike encouraging a welcoming tone. For newcomers, chatting in-game often leads to veterans gifting resources or tips. The chat feels less like a battleground, more like a lounge.“[The in-game chat] is a place you can go and say ‘I really have no idea what I’m doing’ or ‘does anyone have advice for this build?’ Warframe is a complex cooperative hard sci-fi world. For us that channel has been a necessity.” — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/feb/28/in-a-toxic-online-world-warframe-is-a-refuge-for-my-son-and-millions-of-others#:~:text=But%20with%20Warframe%2C%20the%20experience,who%20regularly%20play%20with%20him">Guardian</a>.***From Roblox’s creative chaos to strictly moderated Warframe, in-game chat defines how we experience multiplayer worlds. While moderation, toxicity, and design all affect the mood, the chat window or mic button remains the digital campfire around which communities gather. Whether you’re shouting across the seas in Sea of Thieves or dropping a cheeky “Well Played!” in Dota 2, these interactions are what transform games into living worlds.<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Inter;font-size:0.9375vw;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.38;margin:0pt 0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="ltr"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">***<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Inter;font-size:0.9375vw;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.35417vw;margin:0px 0px 1.30208vw;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;border:1pt none windowtext;box-sizing:border-box;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;line-height:16.1px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0cm;vertical-align:baseline;" lang="EN-GB" dir="ltr">Please <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://calendly.com/watchers-platform/social-tools-for-your?month=2025-08"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;border:1pt none windowtext;box-sizing:border-box;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;line-height:16.1px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0cm;vertical-align:baseline;" lang="EN-GB" dir="ltr">get in touch with us</a><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;border:1pt none windowtext;box-sizing:border-box;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;line-height:16.1px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0cm;vertical-align:baseline;" lang="EN-GB" dir="ltr"> if you'd like to integrate in-app community chats with the high-level moderation system into your website, app, or game. We'll be happy to help you find the best solution.***<h2>Sources</h2><ul><li>In a toxic online world, Warframe is a refuge for my son – and millions of others | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/feb/28/in-a-toxic-online-world-warframe-is-a-refuge-for-my-son-and-millions-of-others#:~:text=But%20with%20Warframe%2C%20the%20experience,who%20regularly%20play%20with%20him">Guardian</a></li><li>Rust Console Edition Review | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thexboxhub.com/rust-console-edition-review/#:~:text=The%20animation%20on%20the%20characters,department%20can%20take%20a%20bow">TheBoxHub</a></li><li>Rust Reviews | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.pcgamer.com/rust-review/">PC Gamer</a></li><li>Early Access Review - A game I love to hate | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/blog/rust-early-access-review-a-game-i-love-to-hate/#:~:text=But%20at%20its%20best%2C%20Rust,is%20an%20exercise%20in%20masochism.">CyberPower PC</a></li><li>Sea of Thieves is pulling voice and text chat between crews from Arena | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gamesradar.com/sea-of-thieves-is-pulling-voice-and-text-chat-between-crews-from-arena-due-to-toxicity/">GamesRadar+</a></li><li>Apex Legend Reviews |<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/12/apex-legends-review"> IGN</a></li><li>You Never Game Alone: Live Chats and In-app Live-Streaming to Make Gaming Brighter | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://watchers.io/post/You-Never-Game-Alone-Chats-and-Live-Streaming-to-Make-Gaming-Brighter">Watchers Blog</a></li><li>Fortnite and New Kids Sociabilities | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350314539_Fortnite_and_New_Kids'_Sociabilities">European Journal of Social Sciences</a></li><li>Fortnite is finally adding the chat feature &nbsp;| <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://gamerant.com/fortnite-text-chat/">GameRant</a></li></ul>&nbsp;

Learn how to build in-app communities that boost engagement, retention, and loyalty through chat, moderation, and user-driven features.

What Are In-App Communities, and How to Build Them From Scratch

Community is often seen as a universal remedy for digital success. Community is the answer, they say, but what’s the answer to how to build one? Now it’s here. Follow seven strategic steps, along with several technical actions, to create it.

Learn how to build and grow a thriving online community for your app or website with these 7 essential steps, from defining purpose and audience to ensuring safety and engagement.

How to Turn The Platform into Community-driven

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Exploring how community-based live chat has positively impacted the utility of various platforms and how to integrate it easily.

How and Why to Integrate Live Chat: Crucial Reasons and Simple Steps

<div style="font-size:14px;line-height:1;" id="toc">On this page&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="#Why-Add-Community-Live-Chat-to-Your-Platform">Why Add Community Live Chat to Your Platform?</a>&nbsp;<a href="#Reclaim-Users-from-Social-Media">Reclaim Users from Social Media</a>&nbsp;<a href="#Differentiate-from-Competitors">Differentiate from Competitors</a>&nbsp;<a href="#Increase-Retention-Rates">Increase Retention Rates</a>&nbsp;<a href="#Understand-customers-needs-and-pains">Understand your customers’ needs and pains</a>&nbsp;<a href="#How-to-Implement-Live-Chat">How to Implement In-App Live Chat</a>&nbsp;<a href="#key-steps">Key Steps</a>&nbsp;<a href="#Get-in-Touch">Get in Touch</a>&nbsp;<hr style="margin-bottom:1vw;">User retention and engagement growth are among the most critical performance metrics for any digital platform. Research shows that improving customer retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by up to 95% (Bain &amp; Company). One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through community-based live chat features, which encourage users to connect, share experiences, and return regularly to your platform.Think of it as creating a digital coffee table — a place where your users naturally gather to discuss shared passions, whether it’s sports, language learning, or TV series. With the right tools, your platform becomes a hub of conversation, loyalty, and repeat engagement.<h2 id="Why-Add-Community-Live-Chat-to-Your-Platform">Why Add Community Live Chat to Your Platform?</h2><h3 id="Reclaim-Users-from-Social-Media">Reclaim Users from Social Media</h3>Businesses spend millions building audiences on social networks, but without in-app chat, users drift to external platforms to share their opinions. By implementing real-time chat functionality, you ensure conversations happen on your website or app, not on Facebook, X, or Instagram.<ul data-start="1518" data-end="1660"><li data-start="1518" data-end="1582">Users spend 2x longer on platforms with integrated chat.</li><li data-start="1583" data-end="1660"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232957437_Consumer_Engagement_in_a_Virtual_Brand_Community_An_Exploratory_Analysis">Engagement</a> increases by 30–40% when community features are available.</li></ul><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/enjoy-the-clasico-with-la-liga-virtual-arena">A prime example is La Liga.</a> Despite millions of social media followers, La Liga struggled with limited access to first-party user data. By launching an app-based chat and “second-screen” experience via QR codes, they not only attracted fans directly to their app but also gained valuable behavioural insights. This move strengthened fan communities and boosted in-app retention rates significantly.<h3 id="Differentiate-from-Competitors">Differentiate from Competitors</h3>When users compare platforms, they choose the one offering the most interactive and engaging experience. Adding community live chat creates the same “stickiness” as social media — people log back in to check conversations, respond to mentions, and catch up with peers.<ul data-start="2392" data-end="2586"><li data-start="2392" data-end="2500">Platforms with unique social features report a 25% higher return rate compared to those without.</li><li data-start="2501" data-end="2586">Keeping users engaged in-app also reduces exposure to competitor advertising.</li></ul><h3 id="Increase-Retention-Rates">Increase Retention Rates</h3>The number one challenge for digital platforms is customer churn. Studies reveal that the average app loses 77% of daily active users (DAUs) within three days of installation. Community-based live chat directly combats this by encouraging frequent interaction, keeping users active and invested.<ul data-start="2934" data-end="3105"><li data-start="2934" data-end="3015">Retention improves <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.alexanderjarvis.com/what-is-community-engagement-index-in-ecommerce/#:~:text=You'll%20find%20that%20a,others%20into%20your%20business%20ecosystem.">by 15–20%</a> with integrated chat and community features.</li><li data-start="3016" data-end="3105">Users who feel part of a community are 3x more likely to remain loyal to a brand.</li></ul><h3 id="Understand-customers-needs-and-pains">Understand your customers’ needs and pains</h3>Traditional analytics and support tickets show limited behaviour patterns — usually focused on problems. Live chat provides authentic insights into user interests, habits, and needs.You can track:<ul data-start="3357" data-end="3485"><li data-start="3357" data-end="3402">Which topics spark the most conversation.</li><li data-start="3403" data-end="3441">When your audience is most active.</li><li data-start="3442" data-end="3485">How users engage with specific content.</li></ul>This allows you to refine your platform, create more relevant content, and build a data-driven engagement strategy.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1000/1000;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/474c51ed-5545-49df-859a-51c44d631984.png" width="1000" height="1000"></figure><h2 id="How-to-Implement-Live-Chat">How to Implement In-App Live Chat</h2>Launching a community chat feature doesn’t have to be complex. Using modern SDKs, chat APIs, and webview integrations, you can quickly add scalable live chat functionality without lengthy development cycles.<h3 id="key-steps">Key Steps:</h3><ol data-start="3892" data-end="4496"><li data-start="3892" data-end="4064">Define Chat Visibility&nbsp;Will chat be open to all visitors or only authenticated users? Similar to a paywall, you can require a login or a subscription to participate.</li><li data-start="4065" data-end="4177">Choose AuthenticationAllow users to chat under their platform profile or create anonymous nicknames.</li><li data-start="4178" data-end="4307">Set the Entry PointPlace chat where it drives the most value (homepage, event pages, video content, or live streams).</li><li data-start="4308" data-end="4496">Customise and ModerateTailor the chat design, enable moderation features, and integrate engagement tools like polls, quizzes, or interactive widgets to keep discussions lively.</li></ol>By following these steps, you can create an engaging community that drives user retention, improves brand loyalty, and enhances the overall experience on your platform. By keeping conversations inside your platform, you gain control over user behaviour insights, reduce churn, and strengthen your competitive edge.***<h2 id="Get-in-Touch">Get In Touch</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://calendly.com/watchers-platform/social-tools-for-your">Book a call</a> if you'd like to integrate in-app community chats with the high-level moderation system into your website, app, or game. We'll be happy to help you find the best solution.</div>

We've explored the main recent reports dedicated to the sports industry and found the most relevant insights, figures, and trends on viewership, communication, and fandom formation.

Discover the main digital trends in sports viewership, coverage and fandom engagement 2025 based on the most significant industrial reports. 

Main Trends in Sports Coverage, Viewership, and Fandoms 2025

<div style="font-size:14px;line-height:1;" id="toc">On this page&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="#rise-of-digital-sports">Rise of digital sports streaming and personalised fan engagement</a>&nbsp;<a href="#new-economics">New economics of streaming services</a>&nbsp;<a href="#fandom-evolution">Fandom evolution: athlete-driven engagement</a>&nbsp;<a href="#fan-ownership-models">Fan Ownership Models and Blockchain in Sports</a>&nbsp;<a href="#role-of-ai-in-sports-coverage">The role of AI and data analytics in sports coverage</a>&nbsp;<a href="#get-in-touch">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;<hr style="margin-bottom:0.8vw;">If we avoid naming trends like “using AI, datafication, women sports growth” but find the particular changes and numbers, what we see:<h2 id="rise-of-digital-sports">Rise of digital sports streaming and personalised fan engagement</h2><ol><li data-list="bullet">27% of sports fans watch TV sports channels weekly, while 23% stream online</li><li data-list="bullet">Millennials (57%) are the most likely to pay for a sports subscription service, followed by Gen Zers (53%) and Xers (40%).</li><li data-list="bullet">Sports streaming on Amazon Prime has increased by 59% since 2021, signalling the growing importance of digital-first sports experiences.</li></ol><h2 id="new-economics">New economics of streaming services</h2>While the shift to sports streaming services opens new revenue streams, sports media faces challenges, including subscription fatigue and a fragmented landscape. Churn rates among sports subscribers are high, prompting companies to explore bundling streaming services (e.g., Disney+ and Hulu Sports). Moreover, younger fans increasingly rely on algorithm-driven sports content for their sports news updates, raising questions about whether they will commit to paid sports streaming subscriptions.To counteract these challenges, sports leagues and sports teams are prioritising data-driven fan engagement and personalised marketing to drive loyalty:<ol><li data-list="bullet">The NFL fan database has centralised over 20 million sports fans to streamline outreach.</li><li data-list="bullet">Major League Baseball (MLB fan engagement) uses fan data to enhance the stadium experience, offering personalised promotions and real-time notifications.</li><li data-list="bullet">68% of consumers say sports personalisation significantly increases their brand satisfaction.</li></ol><figure class="image" style="margin-bottom:1vw;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1098/744;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/89c7480c-144e-4769-ae05-14a7a6d165e2.png" width="1098" height="744"></figure><a style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.pwc.co.uk/hospitality-leisure/documents/global-sports-survey-2024.pdf">PWC</a> formed the key insights from Women Super League fans and England women’s football fans:&nbsp;<ol><li data-list="bullet">The most popular sports are football, boxing and cricket.</li><li data-list="bullet">14% of the audience are gamers.</li><li data-list="bullet">Greater affinity for premium brands such as John Lewis.</li><li data-list="bullet">Betting and gambling are of high interest to both audiences.</li><li data-list="bullet">Sizeable opportunity for rights holders, fans and brands.</li><li data-list="bullet">65% of WSL club fans are male.</li><li data-list="bullet">10% of the audience is interested in sustainability, human rights and climate.</li></ol><h2 id="fandom-evolution">Fandom evolution: athlete-driven engagement</h2>Sports fandom is evolving beyond team loyalty, with younger audiences increasingly drawn to individual athletes and their personal brands. This is particularly pronounced in women’s sports, which continues to gain momentum:<ol><li data-list="bullet">The 2025 Women’s Euros and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 are expected to drive record-breaking engagement.</li><li data-list="bullet">Rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Leah Williamson are spearheading a surge in women’s sports viewership, attracting new fans.</li><li data-list="bullet">Industry leaders identify women’s sports growth as the top sports investment opportunity.</li></ol><figure class="image" style="margin-bottom:1vw;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1870/1290;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/39f3153b-9c73-4028-90fa-3dafb649891f.png" width="1870" height="1290"></figure><a style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sporsora.com/etudes/1451-2024-global-sports-survey/file">In Europe, only around two-thirds of followers</a> of top football leagues regularly watch live games, which presents both a threat and an opportunity to grow viewership and provides other ways to interact with favourite sports and teams.A fifth of fans,&nbsp;studied by Media Culture, are fans because of the communities they want to be part of, but just because they support the team. The social aspect and necessary feeling of belonging is bonding fans and their passion, giving them more joy. That’s why when fans are gathering from different countries to support the same team, they crucially need to have a way to communicate with each other and perform their communicativeness. One of the best examples of this is La Liga, which gathers fans worldwide through its League community-building app.<h2 id="fan-ownership-models">Fan Ownership Models and Blockchain in Sports</h2>Another emerging trend is the rise of fan-owned sports clubs, which give supporters a stake in their favourite teams. Actually, this highlights the importance of fan communities because nowadays they literally rule sports.This movement is part of a more significant sports decentralisation trend:<ol><li data-list="bullet">The German Bundesliga’s 50+1 rule ensures fan-majority ownership, fostering strong community-driven sports organisations.</li><li data-list="bullet">Clubs like AFC Wimbledon and Real Oviedo allow fans to influence sports team decisions, from jersey designs to charity partnerships.</li><li data-list="bullet">Blockchain-based fan tokens (e.g., Socios.com fan tokens) enable interactive fan engagement, provide financial support for clubs, and increase fan loyalty.</li></ol><h2 id="role-of-ai-in-sports-coverage">The role of AI and data analytics in sports coverage</h2>Generative AI in sports and sports analytics are set to revolutionise sports media, impacting everything from sports content creation to fan engagement:<ol><li data-list="bullet">AI-driven sports personalisation is helping sports leagues tailor sports recommendations, making sports coverage more immersive.</li><li data-list="bullet">Predictive sports analytics enhance sports betting, player performance analysis, and fan behaviour insights.</li><li data-list="bullet">AI-generated sports commentary and automated sports highlights make real-time sports coverage more dynamic and cost-effective.</li></ol>Looking ahead, the sports industry trends in 2025 will need to balance innovation with accessibility. As sports streaming services and digital-first sports content dominate, sports leagues must ensure that sports fans across generations can affordably engage with sports media. Meanwhile, emerging sports technologies and fan-driven sports innovations will continue to shape the future of sports consumption, making 2025 a defining year for watching sports online, interacting with, and supporting people's favourite teams and athletes.<hr><h2 id="get-in-touch">Get in Touch</h2>If you want to grow engagement, build strong fan communities, or provide live streaming in your sports app with influencers and athletes as hosts, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://calendly.com/watchers-platform/social-tools-for-your">book a call</a> with Watchers team. We will help you find the best strategy to grow fan engagement.&nbsp;Sources:<ol><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sporsora.com/etudes/1451-2024-global-sports-survey/file">sporsora.com</a></li><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-telecom-outlooks.html">deloitte.com</a></li><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gwi.com/blog/sports-viewership-trends">gwi.com</a></li><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/sporting-goods-industry-trends">mckinsey.com</a></li><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mediaculture.com/insights/the-psychology-of-fandom-what-drives-sports-fans">mediaculture.com</a></li><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.pwc.co.uk/hospitality-leisure/documents/global-sports-survey-2024.pdf">pwc.co.uk</a></li><li data-list="bullet"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/tech-innovation/comment-five-trends-that-will-drive-sport-content-in-2025/5200232.article">broadcastnow.co.uk</a></li></ol></div>