Sports icon Stephen Curry is using his social media following and influence to spread WHO-endorsed health information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger generations look up to athletes, who are using their fame as platforms to disseminate accurate information.

Developer Sports Interactive has made Football Manager 2020 available for free on an extended trial, giving people isolating at home the chance to escape COVID-19 anxiety. With people stuck indoors, they’re turning to digital forms of entertainment in large numbers to fight boredom.

Game attendance may be in decline, but sports fans are still as passionate and engaged as ever. Whether it’s live-streaming a game or following a team on TikTok, there are so many ways to be a fan. Canvas8 spoke to sports psychologist Dr. Dan Wann to understand how sports fandom is evolving.

With digital channels offering them increased access to their heroes, casual supporters and ‘stans’ alike are embracing novel ways of showing their devotion to celebs and sports teams. How are these passionate individuals forging new cultural tribes and changing expectations of fan interactions?