A recent study exploring social interactions during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday reveals the extent to which political divisions affect American family gatherings, but also points to sports as a rare domain that bridges partisan divides. Researchers tracked smartphone locations of 10 million Americans following Donald Trump’s election victory and found that when individuals dined with family members who voted for the opposing party, visits tended to end 30 to 50 minutes earlier than usual.

The research highlights how political polarization often leads to shortened social interactions due to perceptions of moral and ideological distance. However, shared sports fandom emerges as a countervailing force, fostering connections across political lines. Multiple national surveys covering more than 50,000 American sports fans show that most fan bases in Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), and major college football programs remain politically diverse. Supporters of traditional rival teams regularly come together, with allegiance to their team often overriding political affiliations.

For instance, even the most politically conservative NFL fan bases, such as those for the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, comprise a substantial number of Democrats—roughly one Democrat for every two Republicans. Conversely, more progressive fan bases like the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants exhibit a reverse ratio. This pattern is mirrored among MLB and college football fan communities. Complementing these findings, geolocation data indicates that sports stadiums are among the most politically integrated public spaces in the United States, second only to airports.

To assess whether shared fandom translates into greater civic cohesion, researchers conducted experiments matching political adversaries. Participants who discovered their political opponents supported the same sports team reported increased feelings of personal warmth and showed a greater willingness to engage with them in real life. This shared allegiance proved as influential in improving interpersonal warmth as common religion or racial background in some cases.

The research team notes that while political polarization has escalated into what social scientists call “mega-identities” — where political party affiliation heavily shapes social relationships and lifestyle choices — sports fandom remains an enduring and voluntary affiliation that cuts across these divides. About 76 percent of American adults identify as sports fans, with around two-thirds considering their fandom central to their identity. This widespread engagement helps explain why live sports events dominate American television viewership.

While researchers emphasize that fandom does not resolve political disagreements or systemic challenges, it offers a valuable social space where Americans can connect beyond partisan categories. The act of cheering for a shared team, they suggest, encourages people to see each other as multifaceted individuals rather than political caricatures. Especially during peak sports seasons coinciding with intense political contests, this common ground may help prevent deeper estrangement and promote a willingness to stay engaged in communal life.

In summary, while sports cannot singlehandedly bridge America’s political divides, the research underscores their unique role as one of the few cultural institutions maintaining political integration and fostering a modicum of social unity amid increasing polarization.