In November 2019, we published the first ever objective measurement for fan engagement in sport: the Fan Engagement Index.

Covering English men’s football every season since, the Fan Engagement Index awards up to 240 points to clubs overall based on the quality of their Fan Engagement. It comprises three categories: ‘Dialogue’ (the conversations and meetings clubs have with their fans and representatives), ‘Governance’ (what ‘underpins’ or ‘guarantees’ the dialogue), and ‘Transparency’ (the proceedings of meetings and fan engagement). Each section offers up to 80 points. Final figures correct as of the 31st of May of the end of the season concerned.

In 2026, we launched the first ever Rugby League Fan Engagement Index, covering Super League clubs for 2025, using the same methodology & algorithm, albeit tweaked a bit to suit the practices in the sport, and with final figures correct as of the 30th November of the end of the season concerned.

Previous year’s tables for all versions are available via the Fan Engagement Hub

It has received huge coverage in the media, but most of all it has engaged the sport in a grown-up conversation about how fan engagement is practiced. Most pleasingly, clubs and those running fan engagement have taken it seriously, seeing it as a way to help them do better in this critical area.

Brentford given bronze award in Fan Engagement Index 
Brentford takes 12th spot in the Think Fan Engagement’s Fan Engagement Index for 2023/24, placing highest out of all Premier League clubs
Hull FC Ranked First In Fan Engagement Index - Hull FC News
Hull FC have been ranked top of the first-ever Rugby League Fan Engagement Index.
Everton top Premier League table for fan engagement
Everton are the best Premier League club for fan engagement, research shared with City AM ahead of the new season reveals.

Find out more about how the Fan Engagement Index has been received in the media and by clubs.

Read more about what people think about us or look on our front page for examples of our work.

Whatever’s going on in Fan Engagement, it’s our mission to make it more easily understood, measured and improved. That’s the purpose of the Fan Engagement Index.

Whether it helps you in your work, your research, or just helps you to understand your club or Fan Engagement better, we hope you find the Fan Engagement Index useful. And don’t forget to listen to the Fan Engagement Pod

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