Fantasy football has cemented itself in American culture — every Sunday, people tune in to watch as it is something they must do, not just sit through.
Sure, people can spend their time more wisely, but once the NFL season starts, their time is most valuable monitoring how well their fantasy team is performing.
Fantasy football has grown into one of America’s most popular hobbies. About 62.5 million people in the U.S. and Canada played fantasy sports in 2022, and nearly 80% of them focused on football, according to the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association. Today, almost one in five U.S. adults says they participate in fantasy sports in some way.
Fantasy sports are no longer just a trend, as it’s now evolved into their own culture.
The overall impact of fantasy football on sports is hard to ignore. The industry itself has become massive, generating more than $23 billion in 2024, with early signs that it could nearly double in a few years. Even the NFL has leaned into the popularity, creating content and networks, like NFL RedZone, where you can watch seven hours of football, flipping back and forth between each game. So when each team is in the red zone, it provides fantasy players an outlet to track every touchdown.
Part of the appeal comes from the control and attention it offers. People are focusing more on their fantasy teams than supporting their NFL team. This allows people to follow stats, injuries and player trends from other teams, increasing their involvement in the NFL season.
Fantasy football makes the season feel bigger, giving meaning to games that would otherwise not matter.
People treat draft nights like a significant event. This year, I went to Sliders to draft my dynasty team that required a $200 buy-in. I spend hours each week trying to decide whether to bench a wide receiver or if an injury is going to tank my team. It becomes something that you have to do, not just watch. You get sucked into sports news, stats and ESPN rankings, all because you want to set your lineup right.
The competition is only half the fun as fantasy thrives on community. Leagues bring friends and families together in a way that lasts the whole season. A Yahoo survey found that players say fantasy football helps them stay close with friends, and is a big part of how they connect with family.
The internet was the turning point in Fantasy’s growth. Before, you could only call in your lineup or use a fax machine, and by 2008, the majority of players were managing their teams online. With mobile apps now sending constant updates, the game fits seamlessly into daily life.
The increased popularity of sports betting apps has also made Fantasy seem like the safer move. Unlike gambling, where money is always at stake, fantasy leagues are often more about bragging rights. It is a strategic game that always feels competitive.
Of course, there are downsides. Fantasy can eat up hours, with players, like me obsessively checking injury reports and matchups. It can also blur loyalties. Many fans admit they sometimes cheer for players on their fantasy teams over their own NFL team they grew up rooting for.
In competitive leagues, if you have the misfortune of being last in your league, the punishments can get severe. Fantasy leagues can sometimes go all out in terms of these punishments, and sometimes they can go too far.
For many people, a few hours every week that allow us to set school, work or stressors aside and focus solely on football can be a well-needed distraction. Yes, fantasy football can easily become one of those stressors, but at the end of the day, it is all about having fun, and fantasy allows us to take time for ourselves and enjoy the little things.
Fantasy football brings people closer to the game. It turns the NFL season into something more exciting by mixing sports with strategy, luck, and friendly competition. For millions of people, it is not just a game; it is our game.
