In addition to the other reasons mentioned, I’ll add simply going to a home game for a specific team as an introduction to a sport. For example, I live in an area with multiple high level college sports teams. I went to my first college basketball game at age 11 at one of these schools, so I was their fan for a long time after that. Last year we went to visit the town where my wife’s dad is from. They have a professional team for a sport I enjoy but really only watch at the international level. I had no pro team I follow in that sport, but they were in playoffs while we were there. At that point we didn’t get tickets but I was watching on TV and I enjoyed watching, so I found a way to watch more at home. If we ever go back I’m pretty sure my wife’s cousin will get tickets so we can go. I did get a shirt for the team before we left.
In addition to the other reasons mentioned, I’ll add simply going to a home game for a specific team as an introduction to a sport. For example, I live in an area with multiple high level college sports teams. I went to my first college basketball game at age 11 at one of these schools, so I was their fan for a long time after that. Last year we went to visit the town where my wife’s dad is from. They have a professional team for a sport I enjoy but really only watch at the international level. I had no pro team I follow in that sport, but they were in playoffs while we were there. At that point we didn’t get tickets but I was watching on TV and I enjoyed watching, so I found a way to watch more at home. If we ever go back I’m pretty sure my wife’s cousin will get tickets so we can go. I did get a shirt for the team before we left.