Sport is an integral part of Australian life. It features prominently in our social calendars and media landscape. Each summer the Australian Open attracts large crowds, over 1.1 million people attended the tournament in 2025 (Australian Financial Review). This figure does not capture the many more Australians who follow the event via television and online streaming.
Throughout the year, major sporting codes such as Australian Rules Football (AFL) and cricket continue to engage large audiences, alongside international competitions such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and many more codes. Given the prominence of sport in daily life, it is raises the question whether watching sport contributes meaningfully to mental health and psychological wellbeing.
Watching Sport and Psychological Wellbeing
From a clinical psychology perspective, wellbeing is influenced by multiple interacting factors, including emotional regulation, cognitive engagement, social connection, and routine. Watching sport has the potential to engage several of these processes simultaneously.
International research suggests that watching sport is positively associated with subjective wellbeing. In a large study of over 20,000 adults, Kinoshita and colleagues (2024) found that individuals who watched sport reported higher wellbeing and demonstrated increased brain activity in regions associated with positive affect and emotional processing. Notably, these effects were stronger when participants followed more popular sports, such as baseball, compared with less popular sports like golf. This suggesting that social relevance and shared interest may amplify psychological benefits.
For many Australians, sports such as AFL and cricket are embedded within community and family life. Engagement with these sports may therefore support wellbeing through shared meaning, identity, and belonging—key protective factors for mental health.
Social Connection and Emotional Regulation
Social connection is a well-established determinant of mental health. Watching sport with friends or family may enhance wellbeing by strengthening relationships and reducing social isolation. From a behavioural perspective, shared sports viewing can function as a form of behavioural activation, increasing opportunities for positive social interaction and pleasure, both of which are important in the prevention and treatment of depression.
Emotionally, sport provides a structured and time-limited context for experiencing and expressing emotions such as excitement, disappointment, and hope. This can support emotional regulation and offer a sense of engagement or distraction from stressors, particularly when sport is enjoyed in moderation and within a supportive social environment.
Considerations Across the Lifespan
Research involving older adults suggests that watching sport is associated with a reduced risk of worsening depressive symptoms, regardless of whether it is watched in person or on television (Tsuji et al., 2025). Maintaining engagement with enjoyable and socially meaningful activities is considered important for emotional wellbeing in later life.
However, the same research indicates that very frequent in-person sports attendance may be associated with increased dementia risk in older adults. While the mechanisms underlying this finding remain unclear, it highlights the importance of considering individual health factors, energy levels, and lifestyle balance when engaging in spectator activities.
Why Participation in Sport Matters Most
While watching sport may provide psychological and social benefits, participation in sport or regular physical activity has the strongest and most consistent evidence base for improving mental health. Physical activity is associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved cognitive functioning, better sleep, and enhanced mood regulation.
From a clinical standpoint, physical activity is often recommended as part of a broader mental health treatment plan. Participating in sport can also support social connectedness, mastery, self-efficacy, and routine—factors that are central to psychological resilience and recovery.
Supporting Mental Health Through Balance
In summary, watching sport can contribute positively to mental health by supporting social connection, emotional engagement, and enjoyment. These benefits are likely enhanced when sport is watched with others and forms part of a balanced lifestyle. However, watching sport should not replace opportunities for physical activity, social engagement, or other wellbeing-promoting behaviours.
If sport is an important part of your life, it may be helpful to reflect on how both watching and participating in sport fit within your broader mental health and wellbeing goals.
If you would like to discuss strategies to support your mental health, including incorporating physical activity and social connection into your routine, one of our clinicians at the Centre for Clinical Psychology can help. To book an appointment, please call (03) 9077 0122.
References
Samios, Z. (2025). This data reveals how big the Australian Open has become. https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/this-data-reveals-how-big-the-australian-open-has-become-20251127-p5nixy
Kinoshita, K., Nakagawa, K., & Sato, S. (2024). Watching sport enhances well-being: evidence from a multi-method approach. Sport Management Review, 27(4), 595–619. https://doi.org/10.1080/14413523.2024.2329831
Tsuji, T., Kawaguchi, K., Ide, K., Nakagomi, A., Narita, Y., Kanamori, S., & Kondo, K. (2025). Watching sports and subsequent health and well-being in older adults: a longitudinal outcome-wide study. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 142(106120), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2025.106120
