While skeptics claim that the success given by the home field advantage is nothing but a sports cliché, many athletes see it as a catalyst for improved performance, with scientific studies like those performed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) backing up this phenomenon. For both athletes and fans, understanding the home field advantage reveals how sports results can be shaped by the energy of spectators and the increased confidence attributed to being in a familiar space, either through impacting players mentally, physically, or not at all. By observing how players perform differently in varying atmospheres, teams may better understand why some athletes may — or may not — prefer playing on their home turf.
According to a study by the NIH, playing in an unfamiliar space often makes players feel disoriented. This is most likely attributed to the theory of “social facilitation,” where individuals find difficulty in adjusting to new environments due to a lack of familiarity and recognition with the space. Familiar faces, textures, locations, and sounds are all stimuli that can create a sense of ease and comfort within a player’s mind, providing them with the necessary means to perform their best.
“At home, because we know the space better, … I have better ... spatial awareness,” said volleyball player Lily Cao ’28. “When we play against Notre Dame, they have really low ceilings in the gym ... It’s a lot bigger of a space so [we] just [have] to be aware of the low ceilings.”
In addition to giving opposing players an extra burden by forcing them to adjust to a new environment, this advantage can also be beneficial to the home team because they have more fans in the bleachers. Occasionally, when the home team has a large student section, it can distract the other team, giving the home team a slight edge in a close game.
When facing players whose performance may be affected by their emotions, it can be advantageous to play them at home to gain a competitive edge. A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine shows that shifts in momentum can have a measurable impact on scoring potential as a psychological factor that affects behavior and mindset in games. Momentum occurring during sports games often leads to significant performance variation that can result in positive net points differences for specific teams.
However, this does not always provide a clear advantage for the home team. With a strong team that can stay positive mentally while facing adversity, the players can still perform successfully.
“People are generally going to encourage each other … so I think if anything, we see more positive help there than negative,” said Track and Field Coach Jennifer Smolyn.
Sometimes, the home crowd can be the sole determinant between a loss and a win. Having bleachers full of fans cheering them on pushes athletes to work their hardest and creates an energetic environment that players can use to motivate themselves.
“Having people in the bleachers definitely gets [us] more hyped and having [fans] definitely brings the energy,” said Cao. “More support from the crowd can give players the momentum they need to perform better.”
However, in some cases, the crowd can negatively impact players’ performance by increasing pressure. Players with less experience may feel anxious when their friends, peers, and family watch them from the stands. Hence, even though these fans are trying to cheer the players on, they can sometimes have the opposite effect if a player has a fear of being judged or criticized for their performance.
While the home field advantage often provides experienced players with a sense of familiarity and a boost in morale, it can also negatively impact less experienced players due to the discomfort brought by large crowds and audiences. However, regardless of a player’s position, level, or experience, athletes may strive to play their best and strengthen their mentality through participating in countless games and tournaments. The roar of the crowd can have a huge impact on the outcome of a game, and continues to be a timeless aspect of professional sports that we see today.