Study Reveals the #1 Athlete US Sports Fans Want at Christmas Dinner

By Mike Murphy, Alicia Ruhland Hours Updated

Can sports help ease holiday loneliness? 40% of US sports fans say they feel lonely during the holidays. And for three out of four sports fans, watching games during the festive season helps them feel less alone and gives them a sense of comfort and connection. That’s according to a survey conducted by BettingUSA among 3,000 sports fans nationwide. In fact, 51% feel such a strong connection to their sports heroes that they would gladly swap a family member’s dinner seat for a seat at the table for one of their idols. But who is the nation’s number one dream guest at the Christmas table this year?

Key findings:

  • 40% of US sports fans get lonely during the holidays, with 29% feeling lonely occasionally and 11% frequently
  • 77% of US sports fans say watching sports during the holidays provides a sense of comfort or companionship
  • The majority of sports fans, 51%, would replace a family member at Christmas dinner with their favorite athlete
  • Shaquille O’Neal tops America’s list of dream Christmas dinner guests

According to research published by the American Psychiatric Association this past May, 42% of US adults report feeling lonely at least once a week. The fact that the most wonderful time of the year isn’t always as festive for sports fans as upbeat Christmas carols suggest, is reflected in BettingUSA’s latest survey: 40% of US sports fans report feeling lonely during the holidays. However, feeling lonely doesn’t always mean being alone—just 8% of all respondents actually spend the holidays by themselves.

Mississippi ranks #1 for holiday loneliness among sports fans

Among all states, the percentage of sports fans experiencing holiday loneliness is highest in Mississippi at 67%. Arkansas follows at 60%, with Alabama and Ohio close behind at 58%.

More than three out of four respondents (77%) say that watching sports games over the holidays, such as the NFL or NBA, provides a sense of comfort or companionship, helping them feel less lonely in those moments. That sentiment holds strong throughout the rest of the year too: 76% of US sports fans say being a sports fan gives them an overall sense of community and belonging year-round.

Shaquille O’Neal tops wishlist for ultimate Christmas dinner guest

Even though most US sports fans (57%) are celebrating Christmas with family this year, that doesn’t mean some wouldn't prefer a slightly different guest list. 51% of sports fans would replace a family member at Christmas dinner with their favorite athlete. When asked who they’d love to invite to the holiday table, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal topped the country's wishlist, followed by basketball icon Michael Jordan in second place and NFL legend Tom Brady in third. Other names in the top 10 include Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, Chiefs player Travis Kelce, and tennis legend Serena Williams.

Methodology

BettingUSA.com surveyed 3,000 U.S. sports fans nationwide in November 2026. Respondents were asked how they typically celebrate the holidays, how frequently they experience loneliness or isolation during the season, and whether watching live sports provides a sense of comfort or companionship. The survey also measured how much sports fandom contributes to a broader sense of community and belonging throughout the year. Additionally, participants were asked to name the athlete they would most like to invite to their holiday dinner table, and whether they would give up a family member's seat to make room for their favorite athlete.

Of all respondents, 54% identified as male, 44% as female, and 2% as non-binary. Marital status broke down as 50% married, 22% single, 18% in a relationship, 8% divorced or separated, and 2% widowed. The average age of respondents was 42 years.