New research for the Independent Football Regulator highlights the importance of club heritage to football fans

New polling has been released today as part of research commissioned by the Independent Football Regulator, exploring attitudes amongst fans of men’s football in England and Wales.

• Around a third of fans (32%) in England and Wales who support a club in the top five divisions would feel a high level of distress should their club be dissolved or cease to exist.
• More than half of fans (56%) say they would consider taking at least one action if their club faced the threat of being dissolved. This includes raising awareness or support for the club by participating in fan or community events, attending meetings, or posting online (25%), or joining a supporters’ trust/ association (21%).
• The survey also found that aspects of club heritage are prioritised by fans. This includes the club history (91% noting as important to them personally), the location of the home stadium, match day traditions and atmosphere, the community presence of the club and engagement with fans (all 87%), and the club team name (86%).

This initial release is part of a wider piece of research that Ipsos conducted to help inform the Independent Football Regulator’s forthcoming State of the Game report. 

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 4,092 adults aged 16+ across England and Wales, including 1,904 who described themselves as supporting at least one men’s team in the top five divisions of men’s English and Welsh Football. Polling was conducted online between 10-14 April 2026. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. 
• The full findings will be published alongside the State of the Game report.