IN OTHER NEWS… A new survey shows Georgia sports fans would choose stadiums as final resting places.

Release:

Sports fandom is often framed as a lifelong commitment, but for some supporters, it’s something even more permanent. The kind of loyalty that doesn’t just survive bad seasons, relocations, or heartbreak, but quite literally follows them to the grave.

A new survey of 3,013 sports fans by SportsbookReview.com, a leading sports review site, set out to explore just how deep those allegiances run, asking a surprisingly revealing question:

If given the choice, which stadium would you want your ashes scattered in?

The results paint a picture of the venues fans feel most emotionally tied to and how those connections blur the line between tradition, identity, and ritual. The study also digs into how far supporters would actually go to make it happen, including whether they would bend (or quietly ignore) the rules to secure a final resting place on hallowed ground.

Georgia sports fans’ choices were as follows:

#1. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Georgia When Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017, it announced Atlanta’s arrival as a world-class sports destination. For fans who witnessed its first chapter unfold, being remembered here would mean remaining part of a venue designed to make history. The Falcons and Atlanta United share this architectural marvel, its retractable roof opening like a camera lens above the field. Everything about the place feels built for moments that demand to be witnessed.

#2. State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Since 1999, State Farm Arena has been the heartbeat of Atlanta basketball. The Hawks have called it home through rebuilding years and playoff runs alike, and the city keeps showing up regardless. Naturally, this wouldn’t be feasible, but the idea reflects the emotional wish to remain part of the atmosphere. To be laid to rest here is to stay connected to a franchise and a city that never stop reinventing themselves. Regarded as one of the NBA’s most innovative buildings, its forward-thinking design is proof that this arena’s best days may still lie ahead.

#3. Sanford Stadium, Athens
Georgia Between the hedges at Sanford Stadium, Georgia Bulldogs football has been played since 1929. Choosing this as a final resting place honors a bond with one of college football’s most hallowed grounds. Those iconic privet hedges frame a field where national championships and legendary rivalries have unfolded for nearly a century. In this newly-expanded home, Athens comes alive on Saturdays in a way that makes everything else feel secondary.

#4. Truist Park, Atlanta
Opened in 2017, Truist Park gave the Braves a new home surrounded by the kind of bustling entertainment district that makes a ballpark feel like a destination. Having ashes scattered here means staying part of the place where Atlanta’s patience was finally rewarded. The 2021 World Series championship christened the venue with a memory this city had waited decades to claim, and the energy of that October night still echoes through these seats.

Infographic showing where sports fans want their ashes spread

Why a Stadium?

When asked what drives this kind of attachment, the answers were telling and deeply human:

• Emotional memories (family, friends, childhood) — 26% 
• Lifelong support for a team — 25% 
• It would be meaningful for loved ones — 19% 
• It feels like a “second home” — 17%
• Symbol of identity / who I am — 13% 

Together, they paint a picture of fandom that goes far beyond entertainment. These aren’t just places people visit—they are places people return to, again and again, across decades.

Would Fans Bend the Rules?

The survey also explored how far supporters would go to make this final wish a reality: 23% said they would still consider scattering ashes even if it wasn’t allowed.

Where Would They Choose?

If given the choice of location within a stadium:

• 64% would choose the field or court. 
• 32% would prefer outside the stadium 
• 4% would opt for the stands 

How Would Loved Ones Feel?

Being asked to carry out such a request brings its own emotional weight:

• 30% would feel honored 
• 49% would feel comfortable, but unsure how to go about it 
• 21% would feel uncomfortable 

Should Stadiums Allow It?

Opinion is split, but leans slightly in favor: 54% believe ash-scattering should be allowed in controlled circumstances. 

“Sports stadiums are some of the few places left where multiple generations share the exact same emotional experience,” says James Bisson, the Editor-in-Chief of SportsbookReview.com. “What we’re seeing here isn’t just about fandom – it’s about memory, identity, and belonging. For many people, these venues represent a constant in their lives, so it’s not surprising that some would want to remain connected to them in a lasting, symbolic way.”