Top Snacking Habits Of College Basketball Fans

What are some of the top snacking habits of college basketball fans? March Madness is in full swing and college basketball fans are either celebrating or crying about their brackets. a new survey commissioned by Frank's RedHot took a close look at how fans across the U.S. stack up against one another during March in the West, South, Midwest, and East regions.

The survey aimed to uncover "heat and condiment" preferences both on and off the court during college basketball's biggest tournament, revealing everything from unusual snacking habits to which fans have the deepest knowledge of the game. They surveyed 2,000 college basketball fans split evenly by East, South, Midwest, and West regions.

The survey revealed that 93% of college basketball fans prefer adding some heat to their food. When it comes to snacking rituals and watch parties, nearly every college basketball fan (97%) acknowledges indulging in snacks while watching games. They also found that 58% of those fans admitted to consuming more food during the tournament compared to the rest of the season.

Interestingly, Southerners are most likely to drown their sorrows in snacks when their team loses (24%), and they are also most likely to serve team or region-specific snacks for good luck (18%).

Across all regions, respondents are largely unified in one concern: the fear that their team can't "withstand the heat of the tournament," with 13% expressing confidence in their team's ability to win it all. Regarding competitive spirit, Eastern fans stand shoulder to shoulder with their Western counterparts, with more than three-quarters (77%) claiming to "possess a competitive edge over others."

Meanwhile, college basketball fans in the South claim to be the most knowledgeable about the sport. Regardless of geography, 79% of fans proudly rally behind a favorite team, and more than two-thirds (68%) plan to celebrate a win more than they will suffer a team loss.

The data also highlights heat preferences among college basketball fans across regions, revealing “unequal standings on the spicy barometer off the court.”  Fans in the West (27%) and South (27%) are most likely to prefer a "hot" level of heat on their food, with more than one-third (35%) of Westerners opting for a spicy kick in their ramen, more than any other region.

Eastern fans (44%) prefer a "medium" level of heat. Interestingly, they are the most likely to add their favorite condiments to foods like pizza (40%), deli meats or cold cuts (18%), pasta (16%), or even cookies (10%) and ice cream (9%).

Midwesterners (32%) tend to opt for a "mild" spice level and are most likely to add a bit of kick to their burgers, whether they're beef, turkey, or veggie (39%).

Check out more on this study here.

Football fans are gearing up for the upcoming NFL season. Some fans are so passionate that their enthusiasm borders on religious fervor. And yes, they pray for their team.  Beyond their prayers, they also have some superstitions. You know the types. They go bare chested in zero degree weather and paint themselves in their favorite team's colors. Or their mood for the week depends on if their team won or lost.

There are fans and then there devout believers.  Those are the ones who get a bit too superstitious.

You know that person who stays in the same spot throughout an entire game, and when their team gives up possession they change positions? That's who we're talking about. So, when things are going well, they're practically immobile. They won't step away for food or even use the bathroom. Why? Because they can’t risk "messing up the flow." On the other hand, if things are not going as planned, they might wander around the living room persistently in search of a lucky seat where good things could potentially happen. Of course, for some fans, their ritualistic and superstitious behaviors might just be traditions, regardless of whether their team comes out on top or experiences a loss.

From wearing a specific jersey to eating a particular snack, these rituals are believed to bring luck and influence the game. For instance, some fans might have a lucky pre-game routine. Kike wearing mismatched socks or doing a little victory dance before kickoff. Even food choices play a role, with some fans only eating certain foods while watching the game. For instance nachos or chicken wings, believing that deviating from this menu might lead to bad luck. It's these quirky and often amusing superstitions that add an extra layer of excitement to the football fan experience.

Take a look at a few of these superstition-filled traditions that football fans have been sharing on Reddit.

For some fans, the belief in "jersey power" is real, relying on their chosen jersey to bring their team to victory. A Reddit user revealed, "I change jerseys every game. Never wear the same one twice in a row." They mentioned that during one season, the Jaguars secured a 3-1 record when following this practice, but experienced a 0-12 record when they didn't.

Some fans unquestionably take their rituals to the extreme. During Vince Young's playing days, a Redditor mentioned that they used to perform a rather unconventional practice of burning a photo of the player. They would attach a picture of his face to a Barbie doll and place it on the grill as part of their ritual.

This particular approach might come across as a bit harsh, yet it seems to show results for this person. Apparently, ignoring their wife and kid during the game is their strategy. "I know it's weird and the results haven't been great, but I'm not going to risk it," they wrote. Priorities, dude!

Some say that dissecting your superstitions like a science can work wonders. A Reddit user shared their approach, saying that if, for some reason, they tune into the game late and the Ravens are in the lead, they turn the game off. "Watching will only swing the game in the opposite direction. It's like the Heisenberg Principle of quantum football mechanics. Intense observation will only change the outcome," they humorously explained. That's dedication!

Having a lucky seat or a designated sweet spot to park yourself during every football game is a ritual many fans swear by. According to one person, during game days, they make a point to occupy the exact same barstool. They mentioned, "Everyone has assigned seats at the bar."

Some hardcore football fans throw hygiene to the wind. A Reddit user opened up about their peculiar belief. If they don't shower right before the game, they're convinced the Eagles will end up on the losing side. They added, "Sometimes if we had a crappy first half, I'll take another shower, for a fresh start."

Luck can take some interesting forms, like the practice of counting things a specific number of times. A person mentioned that on game days, they apply three strokes of deodorant per armpit in support of Russell Wilson. Some people are all about the idea that stuff tends to go down in threes.