Stadium as public sphere

Abstract

Though spectator sport is often understood as escapist entertainment, stadiums regularly aggregate thousands of citizens in close physical space, thus making political expression achievable, if not unavoidable. Political expressions at sporting events are actively discouraged by sport commentators, politicians and other authorities. In contrast, this essay underscores how and why the sporting stadium should be considered a vital political space. Theories of the public sphere guide how we understand the construction of political views. Physical space is a key element that encourages or constricts dissent. Mass mediation amplifies certain forms of public discourse. With conceptions of the public sphere, space and media, the essay analyses the Italian football stadium that, within the context of Italian cultural and political life, has been a prominent stage for political expression. To conclude, I draw comparisons with the American sporting stadium and question the ‘a-political’ mentality that threatens to dominate the stands.

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