Influence of competitive intensity on stadium attendance: An analysis of the French football Ligue 1 over the 2009-2019 period through a visualization system

Hautbois, Christopher, Vernier, Frédéric and Scelles, Nicolas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6177-5307 (2022) Influence of competitive intensity on stadium attendance: An analysis of the French football Ligue 1 over the 2009-2019 period through a visualization system. Soccer and Society, 23 (2). pp. 201-223. ISSN 1466-0970

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Abstract

The relationship between competitive balance or intensity and venue attendance has been extensively tested in the literature. These studies have used complex metrics and econometric testing. This does not favour their understanding and application by managers. This article investigates, over a 10 years period (2009–2019), the influence of competitive intensity on stadium attendance for the French men’s football Ligue 1 through a visualization approach. The use of this method provides visual information via a single chart per season about the influence of competitive intensity on attendance, depending on the moment in the season and the sporting stakes. This means that managers can look at relevant information in one single chart. The article shows the positive influence on attendance of competitive intensity in relation to the different sporting stakes, consistent with previous studies. The visualization approach makes the results easy to grasp for managers, facilitating the identification of managerial implications.