The 2023 Level Playing Field Annual Fan Survey received over 1750 responses in total – an increase of more than 30% on the previous year.
Disabled sports fans of all sports across England and Wales, shared valuable insight on their match day experiences. The record number of responses will now provide the charity with its most wide-ranging and informative set of results to date.
Clubs, governing bodies and disabled supporters’ associations will receive bespoke reports, which is specifically focused on data from their own disabled fans. This will provide valuable feedback, which will help them to identify key areas for improvement and evidence of where projects have made a difference. Level Playing Field will provide ongoing support to those looking to implement changes off the back of their individual reports.
The overall results data will be published publicly, later this year and will also be a crucial asset for informing Level Playing Field’s own activities and focus.
The two previous annual fan surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022. This third set of results is therefore expected to give a far clearer indication on trends in accessibility and inclusion across that period.
Development Officer Daniel Townley, who leads on Level Playing Field’s survey analysis, said: “We have been delighted by the increase in responses to our survey and are hugely thankful to all disabled sports fans who took part and the countless organisations who have helped us share the opportunity.
“This larger data set will give us a more reliable set of results, which we can use to inform our own work and the guidance we offer to clubs and governing bodies.
“Individual fans and disabled supporters’ associations will also be able to use this as an effective tool when raising points with their clubs, to show where considerations are more widespread, and we can offer support alongside that.
“I am particularly excited to look at trends over the three-year period and see where initiatives have proved effective in improving the match day experiences of disabled fans, as well as highlighting areas we should focus further on.”
The results from the Annual Fan Survey will be released later this year, with the publication of findings from the recent survey on women’s football set for July. These will be made available across the Level Playing Field website and social media channels, but fans can ensure they do not miss out by signing up to the charity’s free newsletter.
Last year’s survey revealed the percentage of fans for whom ‘Attitudes of others is a barrier when attending live sport’ had almost doubled. The figure jumped from 15% in 2021, to 28.5%. The number of disabled fans who said they are unable to attend certain sports or sporting venues due to lack of accessibility also showed a significant increase.
The survey is now closed, but any disabled supporters who would like to discuss their experiences or find out further information, are always welcome to contact Level Playing Field.