The impact of information technology on stadium attendance studies

A comprehensive bibliometric review

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic and quantitative review of stadium attendance literature from 1980 to 2024, with a focus on the transformative role of information technology and data analytics within the sports economics field. We identify leading authors, seminal articles, and major journals, utilizing trend analysis, collaborator network relationships, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and methodological examination to scrutinize past research. The analysis shows that key terms such as “demand,” “uncertainty of outcomes,” and “competitive balance” dominate the field, with “public health” and “big data” emerging as significant topics. Notably, we highlight the introduction and growing influence of machine learning techniques, first emerging in the early 2010s and increasingly predominant in recent years. This analysis not only tracks the evolution of data analytics technologies but also illustrates their profound impact on the field, particularly in enhancing predictive models and decision-making processes. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for integrating these technological advances to further elevate research and practice in sports management. Our findings underscore the critical role of innovative data analytics in shaping the future of sports economics, aligning with the evolving needs of the information society where such technological insights are becoming indispensable.