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. With that in mind, where would Arizona sports fans would like their ashes to be scattered?
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.
Arizona sports fans’ choices were as follows:
No. 1: Chase Field, Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix found a focal point when Chase Field opened in 1998. Its retractable roof makes it one of Major League Baseball’s more distinctive environments, and Diamondbacks fans have been filling it ever since. The rhythm of a season here becomes familiar in a way that feels almost like home. Being remembered in this space, even in a small way, speaks to years of following the team and returning to the same familiar setting.
No 2: State Farm Stadium, Glendale
Multiple Super Bowls have unfolded here alongside Arizona Cardinals games, placing State Farm Stadium firmly on the national stage. Some venues, after all, are shaped as much by their biggest moments as by their home teams. Certain places just hold onto the echoes of what happened there. For those who witnessed such occasions firsthand, resting here feels tied to memories that stand apart from all others.
No. 3: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe
On the Arizona State University campus since 1958, Mountain America Stadium — still called Sun Devil Stadium by many — has welcomed generations of fans who keep coming back. The desert sun, the roar of the crowd, the familiar walk to your seat — these things become woven into who you are. Choosing this as a final resting place would reflect a lasting bond with traditions built over decades.
No. 4: Mortgage Matchup Center Phoenix, Phoenix
In the heart of Downtown Phoenix, the arena where the Suns play has become a gathering place for basketball fans over the years. Generations have filled the seats, drawn by the kind of energy that only live sports can create, and there’s something about the glow of the court under the lights that lingers long after you leave. Imagining ashes scattered nearby — purely as a symbolic gesture — reflects the devotion of those who spent countless nights cheering from these stands.
No. 5: Casino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson
On the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, the Wildcats’ football stadium has served as home to the program since 1929. Nearly a century of football has unfolded here, each season adding another chapter to a story that keeps being written. With views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the setting gives the stadium a character all its own. To be laid to rest here is to remain connected to a place where so many autumn Saturdays were spent.
No. 6: McKale Center, Tucson
Since 1973, McKale Center has been the heartbeat of Arizona Wildcats basketball. The arena has witnessed championship runs, legendary players, and the kind of crowd noise that makes opponents uneasy. You can feel the history the moment you step inside. While, of course, scattering ashes on a hardwood court isn’t realistically feasible, the idea is purely hypothetical — capturing the emotional pull fans feel toward remaining part of the atmosphere. Choosing this as a symbolic final resting place reflects a lifelong connection to the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the game.
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, repeatedly, 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,” said 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.”
