Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP16171
Authors: James Reade; Jan C. van Ours
Abstract: We analyze attendance of professional football matches in England finding that it is related to unemployment over a very long period of time. More unemployment leads to lower attendances. Distinguishing between leagues, we find that the relationship is larger for lower leagues, i.e. attendance of lower quality football events are more sensitive to fluctuations in unemployment.
Keywords: stadium attendance; football; unemployment
JEL Codes: C23; Z21; D12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Unemployment rates (J64) | Attendance at professional football matches (Z20) |
| Unemployment rates (J64) | Attendance at Championship matches (Z23) |
| Unemployment rates (J64) | Attendance at cup matches (Z23) |