Watching football games on TV is way better than seeing them live, amirite?

For viewing an event, be it sports, concert, whatever, watching it on a screen is always better. But when actually going to an event, that's an entirely different experience on its own.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

yeah there's something about actually being part of the collective consciousness and feeling the moment as it happens that just can't ever compare to sitting on your couch

by Anonymous 5 months ago

This is a very popular opinion

by Anonymous 5 months ago

In terms of understanding what's going on in the game, yeah it's inferior to TV. Going to a football game is more about the social aspect of it. It's about being surrounded by fans of your team and yelling on third down. Singing your team's fight song when they win/score. It's also to say you were there for big games/moments. People who attended the bears/commanders Hail Mary can say they got to see that play irl for the rest of their lives. If you're getting to your seat 10 minutes before game time you're missing the point honestly. It's no different than a concert. You don't go to a concert for the sound quality of the music. You go to sing and dance around with people who like something similar to you.

by Collinsharley 5 months ago

To your social aspect point, I can understand that perspective if it's your first or second time attending a live event. For me, I've been to countless concerts, sports games, etc. to where the whole "you like the same thing as me woohoo" has kind of worn off on me. Maybe im more introverted than most but it's way more fun for me now to get together with people i know, kick back and have a great time watching a live event on TV. I will agree that being there for a big moment is certainly satisfying and I assume most people go to the games in hopes of witnessing a last second hail mary or game winning score.

by sdurgan 5 months ago

We have a minor league stadium near us and we go to like 4-5 games a year. Tickets are $10-15. Food and drinks are kind of pricey but yeah. Nothing beats drinking a cold beer and eating a few hot dogs while watching a baseball game on a summer night with friends and family.

by Collinsharley 5 months ago

It's just different

by brownsydnie 5 months ago

With baseball being a bit more boring to me personally, I enjoy going to the games over watching on tv. Nothing beats a summer night at a baseball game with friends and drinks. I've been to Fenway so much I know where to sit with quick access to a bar, bathroom and view of homeplate for an affordable price.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Yeah, that's the case for me. I've only been to one NFL game, but it was with my dad and my son, and it was a historical game due to the final score, and it was during a super bowl winning season, so all of those things made that experience priceless and unforgettable. But, if not for those memories, I agree that watching a game on TV is on average, much more enjoyable.

by Ok-Emergency-9973 5 months ago

Going to a game to tailgate is a blast. The actual game itself is much better on TV.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

You forgot the disgusting bathrooms and the $100's for food and drinks when you have better food at home.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Counterpoint: tailgating

by rennercaterina 5 months ago

Not to mention the TV timeouts are even more jarring/annoying if you're sitting in the stadium.

by rashawnparisian 5 months ago

Absolute worst take, congrats! I think it's the worst TV sport. The camera angles are too tight live so you can't see plays develop/see what players downfield are doing. In person you can see it all.

by No-Chemistry6126 5 months ago

Watch it on TV if you want to watch the game. Watch it in person if you want to experience the game.

by Original_Read_8875 5 months ago

Without question. I'm never paying those crazy stupid prices for a live NFL game. The product is so not worth the money, especially when you include the risk of terrible weather as well as being surrounded by a bunch of drunk meatheads

by Low-Succotash 5 months ago

No, and it won't be until the television view shows the whole field and not just follows the ball. When the QB drops back, the TV only shows the pocket. Unless I'm in the stadium I can't watch what coverages the defence is using, what pass concepts the offence is using, how tight the coverage is, what the safety is doing, etc. On TV you don't see the receiver or the defensive backfield until the ball is already thrown and the route is already run. Sometimes on replay they'll show the pass pattern or the defensive coverage, but you never get to see it as the play develops.

by glovertrinity 5 months ago

I honestly don't get why skycam isn't the standard. They tried for tnf 1 year and people hated it despite the fact you can see literally the entire thing and what the qb and running backs see. It actually makes you understand what you're looking at and some of the angles. On the traditional view a cut looks like a straight line half the time

by Acrobatic-Climate 5 months ago

Going once as an experience is great, but I also agree. I've been to multiple Packer games, some early some late in season. I dislike freezing my ass off for 3+ hours and dealing with traffic. I've been to baseball and basketball games too and I'd much rather go to the event for those than football games. I'd even say I prefer the experience over watching on TV for those sports too.

by No-Indication4333 5 months ago

I love American football on TV. I've been to three different pro stadiums and two college stadiums. But you're 100% correct. You can't tell what's going on 90% of the time

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I like watching football alone at home watching TV, not with company.

by Upstairs-Payment-531 5 months ago

this is specific to American football Proceeds to say nothing specific to that sport

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I went to a Patriots playoff game (when the were good) and the atmosphere alone was incredible. Regular season, sure the TV is better, but nothing beats being at the stadium for playoffs

by claudieernser 5 months ago

Isn't this more like a few popular opinions? You definitely aren't the only person to feel this way. Tbh it's about your mindset. If you are preemptively looking for things to be frustrated or complain about you're definitely going to experience them. I personally enjoy most live sports because of the experience of watching the game live, dealing with the unknowns (like weather, drive, ect), and overall just making a day out of it (food, drinks, time with friends and other fans). 1. Watching football games on TV is way better than seeing them live. 2. Driving to a NFL game sucks because of the traffic. 3. Parking at a NFL game sucks because there is limited parking and/or not close to the stadium. 4. Sitting at the stadium sucks depending on where you sit because of the visibility during different times of the game. 5. Being at the game can be problematic because of the weather.

by Acrobatic_Housing918 5 months ago

Once in a while live football games are fun. But totally agree, if I want to watch the game rather watch on tv.

by Empty_Ad_4222 5 months ago

The temperature for Sunday's Buffalo Baltimore game is predicted to be as low as single digits F. TV sounds good.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Game in 40 is the only way to watch.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

This is definitely not an unpopular opinion.

by Mother-Concept 5 months ago

It is a different thing. You know you won't get as good a view or comfort. But you can't match the atmosphere, that is why people go.

by mellieleffler 5 months ago

It really depends on the experience you want to have. The feeling of being there with other fans is so fun... but I agree - if you want to see the game up close and personal, tv is better.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Rugby is better than American padded football

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Agreed. Not watching them at all is peak tho.

by taureanschimmel 5 months ago

Well La Dee Da!

by brownsydnie 5 months ago

I don't understand why anyone would want to watch a sport on TV.

by onicolas 5 months ago

Football sucks on TV though. Camera angle is too tight.

by No-Chemistry6126 5 months ago

Yes. He singles out American football specifically. And watching football on TV is THE worst sport to watch on TV. If there's any sport that is improved by being there in person, it's football. The other sports he mentions are good TV sports. So I have the exact opposite opinion as him.

by No-Chemistry6126 5 months ago

Nah, the worst sport is hockey. Can't even see the puck half the time. Live hockey rocks a ton though.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Hockey is great on TV. Easier to see the puck than in person than watching from the upper deck.

by No-Chemistry6126 5 months ago

Uh, to see the game?

by brownsydnie 5 months ago

Watching Ole Miss beat Georgia this year live was incredible - You can't feel that atmosphere on TV. I'd do it all over again just to feel that feeling

by Rare-Magician 5 months ago