A survey of 2,000 sports fans revealed more than a quarter have discreetly watched a match in an inappropriate environment, with 17% even doing so while on a date.
Others guilty of this behaviour have covertly checked their mobiles while shopping at the supermarket (30%), during a family dinner (29%) and even while attending another sporting fixture (22%).
The workplace remains the number one location people secretly set up a second screen to view a game (48%), but 25% have tested their fortune by watching a match during wedding speeches.
Wilkin Lee, a spokesperson for Motorola which commissioned the research, said: “This highlights just how far fans will go to stay connected to the action, even if the timing couldn’t be worse.
“Whether it’s a quick score check or tuning in for a few minutes, people are determined not to miss the big moments when they’re meant to be fully present elsewhere.”
View 3 Images86% said staying connected to their team was important to them, no matter where(Image: Getty Images)
“While there’s a time and a place, it shows how much live sport has become a part of people’s routines,” Lee added.
Among those surveyed, 86% said it was important for them to stay connected to a specific team, event or match and said it was to be able to watch the game live. A quarter have even changed or cancelled social plans so they could watch a sports game.
Four in 10 acknowledged that when a sporting event is taking place and they’re unable to watch it, they find it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
Football ranked as the most streamed sport on mobile, with 62% of fans claiming that nothing would stop them from watching their team if they reached the final. With the football World Cup kicking off this summer, 35% admitted that following the tournament will take priority over both their work and social commitments.
View 3 ImagesFans admitted they can’t think of anything else when they’re unable to watch it(Image: Getty Images)
While 21% plan to tune in only for matches featuring their national side, 28% intend to watch every single game. Nearly three in 10 (28%) will be burning the midnight oil to catch fixtures, while a further 28% will be juggling late nights with early morning alarm calls.
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Wilkin Lee for Motorola, the official smartphone partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, global smartphone partner of Formula 1, and official partner of Ducati Corse, added: “With a huge summer of sport ahead and so many matches kicking off outside of normal hours, fans are finding creative ways to stay on top of the scores.
“Having a reliable phone and a strong connection means they can keep up with the action wherever they are.”
- At work/in the office
- In the supermarket
- During a family meal
- At another live sports event
- At the beach
- At a wedding
- During a birthday party
- At the gym
- Cinema
- In a public bathroom