Sport in which Home Field Advantage is the Greatest?

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

I saw some rather convincing data on the subject. I figured others would have other opinions based on observation rather than data that are equally relevant. These are the sports in which the a team gains the greatest advantage by playing at home. My list from weakest to strongest:



6. NHL
5. Soccer¹
4. MLB
3. NFL
2. NBA
1. Going home at lunch to take a dump.<sup>2

1</sup>This one is tougher because of variety of leagues and the disparity of wealth between teams within a single league

² Now thats what I call home field advantage!

[jjgold]

Nba by far

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

Nba by far

Data I saw supports this. Average team would win almost 12% more games if they played all 82 at home.

[OptimistPrime]

I would say it is MLB. In every other sport the court is the same, its not like that in the MLB. You don't know the field as well, and you will se OF's making bad runs at balls while the home team knows exactly where to be, and knows the angles of where the ball will jump off to. can even come down to something simple as the pitching mound, they are not all alike. I remember an SP, can't remember his name off hand, who always complained about Miller parks mound and struggled hard there

[daneblazer]

College Basketball

[smoke a bowl]

Soccer because of how much more important the refs are than any other sport. Hoops close 2nd.

[jose21_us]

I would say NFL.

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

Soccer because of how much more important the refs are than any other sport. Hoops close 2nd.

Haven't been able to find much data on the subject when it comes to soccer. Are the refs that much more important? I would have said refs can impact an NFL game the most.

[TheMoneyShot]

I would say NHL in the Playoffs typically.

Regular season... I have no clue.

[El Nino]

College Basketball

This.

Then NFL, NCAAF, NBA, MLB, NHL.

[smoke a bowl]

Haven't been able to find much data on the subject when it comes to soccer. Are the refs that much more important? I would have said refs can impact an NFL game the most.

I think the most important because 1 bad call in the penalty box completely changes a game. Might be the only goal scored in the game. A penalty call in soccer has 10X the affect of any other call a ref can make in any other sport.

[smoke a bowl]

And a red card is probably just as big. Could you imagine if a player fouled out in the NBA so now they have to play 4 on 5?

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

I think the most important because 1 bad call in the penalty box completely changes a game. Might be the only goal scored in the game. A penalty call in soccer has 10X the affect of any other call a ref can make in any other sport.

And a red card is probably just as big. Could you imagine if a player fouled out in the NBA so now they have to play 4 on 5?

Two very good points. A foul in the penalty box is one of the most subjective calls in all of sports. But also probably has one of the largest impacts of Win percentage added.

[smoke a bowl]

Two very good points. A foul in the penalty box is one of the most subjective calls in all of sports. But also probably has one of the largest impacts of Win percentage added.

That's what I'm trying to say.

[Snowball]

Bowling.

[Bostongambler]

I would vote NBA has strongest home court advantage.

[GunShard]

NFL and College Basketball.

[smoke a bowl]

MMA/Boxing should be right near the top as well.

[BIGDAY]

College hoops.

[pavyracer]

Soccer is #1. Some teams can go undefeated at home for years.

[kidcudi92]

Champagne Pong and Corn Hole

[k13]

College football/basketball.

Maybe hardcore score with ultra fans.

[KVB]

Nba by far

Data I saw supports this. Average team would win almost 12% more games if they played all 82 at home.

I would vote NBA has strongest home court advantage.

I've often wondered about this. With all that travelling weekly, does it really feel like home when they make it back to their city? Does the crowd make all the difference?

If so, the NCAA Basketball home crowds can be a force to reckon with.

[Eddy Munny]

NCAAB, followed by NCAAF

The intense home atmospheres in college sports create an advantage unrivaled by their pro counterparts. Plus, I think college kids are more susceptible to being influenced by the frenzied environment.

This is why every year you have these enormous upsets in college ball, by a home team you are certain would have gotten their downs blown off their hinges had they played the same opponent on the road.

[cala56]

Its all about the power of the home team. There aren't difference between sport.
Spurs vs Phila -1500
Real madrid vs Elche -1500
Broncos vs Jags -1800

[Vegas39]

I would say NHL in the Playoffs typically.

Regular season... I have no clue.

disagree on this one

especially where my Kings are concerned

[etothep]

College Basketball

My first thought as well

[sweethook]

College Basketball

this ..