The aspects of American sports Brits most want to see brought to UK stadiums include more half-time shows, kiss cams and T-shirt cannons.
A poll of 2,000 sports fans found 35 per cent believe British sport is missing some of the glitz and glamour that has become synonymous with big-ticket American events.
Many would love to see American Football-style half-time entertainment become a more regular fixture, alongside more celebrity appearances and cheerleaders.
Others called for enhanced lighting shows after goals, plus dramatic pre-game player introductions complete with music and light displays.
Some fans also want tailgating to take off in the UK, transforming matchday car parks into social spaces for drinks and barbecued food before kick-off.
It also emerged almost one in six (14 per cent) of those polled are planning to stay up through the night this Sunday to watch the Big Game.
A spokesperson for Popeyes, which commissioned the research to mark the launch of its extended opening hours up to 4am in select locations during Championship Weekend, said: “Big American sporting occasions often feel like full-scale events.
"And that sense of occasion, paired with music, food and shared moments, can make live sport more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
The research also found 30 per cent believe adding certain American-inspired elements could improve stadium atmospheres.
The same proportion think it would make sport more entertaining for casual fans, while 28 per cent said it would help matchdays feel more like a full event.
On average, Brits who watch American sports have been doing so for six years, with 35 per cent first inspired to tune in because of the Big Game.
A further 24 per cent were drawn in by sports documentaries and 23 per cent said curiosity about the culture surrounding these sports sparked their curiosity.
Interest has grown over the last five years for 61 per cent of fans, with more citing Kendrick Lamar’s half-time show as a reason for their increased engagement (28 per cent) than Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce (18 per cent).
But when it comes to the final match of the American football season itself, the sport is the main draw for 51 per cent.
This is followed by the half-time show (32 per cent) and the wider cultural spectacle (28 per cent).
One in four tune in hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite players, with 16 per cent adding they watch for the big-budget adverts aired during the game.
Over half (54 per cent) of those planning to stay up and watch live through the night have even booked the following day off work, according to the survey conducted by OnePoll.
However, with 55 per cent of sports fans ordering food when watching events at home, 65 per cent of those who stayed up through the night in 2025 said they struggled to get a takeaway.
The spokesperson from Popeyes, which has also launched its New Orleans-inspired Kickback Collection [https://eatpopeyes.com/appdownload], including sandwiches and wraps centred around its signature dip, added: “The second Sunday of February is a huge TV moment worldwide.
“And with our roots in the USA, we thought it was only right that we brought an extra bit of New Orleans energy to our customers.”
TOP 20 ASPECTS OF AMERICAN SPORTS BRITS WANT TO SEE ON THESE SHORES
1. Half-time shows
2. Cheerleaders
3. Celebrity appearances or guest hosts
4. Merchandise giveaways during matches
5. American-style food and drink concessions
6. More immersive use of big screens and graphics
7. Post-game entertainment (e.g. concerts or fireworks)
8. In-stadium DJs and live music during breaks in play
9. Larger, more interactive fan zones outside the stadium
10. Fan cams shown on big screens (e.g. dance cam, celeb cam)
11. T-shirt cannons
12. Enhanced lighting shows after goals
13. Pre-game player introductions with music and lighting
14. On-field or courtside entertainment during timeouts
15. Kiss cams
16. Pre-game fan festivals
17. Pyrotechnics and special effects
18. Themed matchdays (e.g. colour-outs, retro nights)
19. More elaborate trophy presentations
20. Tailgating (i.e. socialising, eating and drinking around the stadium before the game, often from the boot of a car)
