After weeks of winter sports excitement captivating audiences across the United Kingdom, many fans now believe they have what it takes to analyse and commentate on major sporting events.
A new survey of 2,000 sports fans, conducted 150 days ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, highlights the growing confidence of what observers describe as the “armchair expert.” According to the findings, half of respondents (50 per cent) said they believe they could commentate on a major sporting event despite having never competed in sport at a professional level.
The research also revealed that nearly six in ten fans (57 per cent) believe they regularly spot details that professional commentators miss, while more than a third (34 per cent) admit to shouting instructions at elite athletes while watching events on television.
Checkthese stories too
Recent international competitions have further intensified interest in new sports, with one in ten respondents (12 per cent) admitting they have become “obsessed” with sports they watched for the first time. Others reported staying glued to broadcasts (31 per cent), discussing tactics while watching (30 per cent), or researching facts and sport-specific terminology (24 per cent).
Anticipation is also building for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2. The multi-sport event will unfold across an eight-mile corridor of venues, bringing fans closer to the action and introducing audiences to ten different sports.
Despite more than four in ten respondents (43 per cent) saying they have never competed in sport themselves, confidence remains high. Over half (55 per cent) believe that watching up to six hours of a sport is enough for them to develop opinions on strategy and technique.
With the Games just months away, enthusiasm continues to grow. More than seven in ten respondents (72 per cent) said that with sufficient study between now and the summer, they could offer analysis alongside their favourite sports pundits.
Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, Phil Batty, said major sporting events often spark widespread national interest and debate.
“Major sporting events can be a catalyst for national obsession, and we have already seen that during recent international competitions,” Batty said. “Social media is filled with discussion, workplaces are debating favourite sports, and many people are learning the names of new techniques and disciplines.
“We expect that enthusiasm to grow further during Glasgow 2026. We look forward to welcoming a nation of superfans and encouraging people to explore the sports programme and experience the Games first-hand.”
Among winter sports generating the most living-room analysis, curling ranked highest, with more than a third of respondents (35 per cent) now familiar with the term “hammer,” while one in ten self-appointed pundits (12 per cent) believe they could compete alongside professionals.
Looking ahead to the Glasgow Games, gymnastics emerged as the sport fans are most eager to watch (45 per cent), followed by swimming and para-swimming (42 per cent), and athletics and para-athletics (40 per cent).
A total of 215 medals will be contested during Glasgow 2026, including a record-breaking Para sport programme. The Games will also feature the largest track cycling and swimming programmes ever staged at a Commonwealth Games. On the athletics track, the return of the iconic Commonwealth Mile is expected to be one of the standout moments of the competition.
Tickets for the Games are currently on sale via the official Glasgow 2026 website.
