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These cookies do not allow the tracking of navigation on other websites and the data collected is not combined or shared with third parties. You can refuse the use of this cookie by switching off the slider to the right. OK English Deutsch Español Français Italiano 日本語 繁體中文 en Privacy Policy (https://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy) Powered by (https://ethyca.com/?utm_source=fides_consent&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cmp_backlinks&utm_term=home) Skip to main content (https://www.wired.com/story/what-watching-soccer-final-does-to-your-body/#main-content) The intersection of technology, power, and culture. Start your free trial and get access to 5 all-new premium newsletters.START FREE TRIAL (https://www.wired.com/v2/offers/wira01045?source=Site_0_JNY_WIR_DESKTOP_PAYWALL_THIN_METER_ARTICLE_1_0_US_ACQ_SEGMENT_SOPHI_TEST_AI_SOPHI_OPEN_APRIL_2026_ZZ_PANELB) Jorge Garay (https://www.wired.com/author/jorge-garay/) Science (https://www.wired.com/category/science) Jul 10, 2026 11:41 AM What Watching a Soccer Final Does to Your Body, According to Science A recent study tracked hundreds of soccer fans until their favorite team reached the final of a tournament. Their stress levels skyrocketed, and their heart rates jumped too. Photograph: Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images Comments Save this story Comments Save this story Ready for the2026 World Cup (https://www.wired.com/tag/world-cup-2026/) final? You might think you are, but your body is going to have to be prepared to put in some work—especially if your favorite team makes it. Research shows that watching high-pressure matches can raise your heart rate, increase your stress levels, and put extra strain on your cardiovascular system. WIRED's Guide to How the Universe Works Your weekly roundup of the best stories on health care, the climate crisis, new scientific discoveries, and more. SIGN UP By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement) (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions (https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement#introduction-arbitration-notice)), and acknowledge our privacy policy (https://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy). According to a recent study (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-36182-1) from researchers at Bielefeld University in Germany, fans’ physiological stress increases by about 41 percent during a soccer final compared to a normal day. Heart rate also rose significantly, jumping from 70.9 beats per minute to 78.7 beats per minute—a difference even when compared to other weekends. Featured Video World Cup Science: The Science Behind Penalty Shootouts (https://www.wired.com/video/watch/world-cup-science-the-science-behind-penalty-shootouts) Researchers at Bielefeld tracked 229 fans of the German club Arminia Bielefeld for three months. Participants wore smartwatches that continuously recorded heart rate and an estimated stress index based on heart rate variability, allowing researchers to compare the day of the 2025 German Cup final with the days leading up to the match. The physiological reaction to the soccer final began long before the match began. The researchers saw fans' stress levels begin to rise in the morning and peak just before kickoff. Even after the final whistle, viewers showed signs of elevated stress. 2026 FIFA World Cup (https://www.wired.com/tag/world-cup-2026/) • *Here’s WIRED’s complete guide (https://www.wired.com/tag/world-cup-2026/) to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.** Where you watch the game also makes a difference. The study found that fans who watched at the stadium (https://es.wired.com/articulos/asi-lograron-los-estadios-mexicanos-del-mundial-las-certificaciones-ambientales-exigidas-por-la-fifa) had an average heart rate of 94.2 beats per minute compared to 79.4 among those who watched the match on television. After their team’s first goal, those in the stands saw their heart rate climb to an average of up to 108 beats per minute—a much more intense response than that observed in other contexts. Alcohol consumption (https://es.wired.com/articulos/investigadores-espanoles-descubren-las-cualidades-de-una-molecula-para-limitar-el-deseo-de-beber-alcohol) appeared to amplify that effect. Participants who reported drinking during the game had a heart rate approximately 5 percent higher than the rest of the fans during the match and nearly 12 percent higher after their team’s first goal. Although the researchers did not assess medical risks (https://es.wired.com/articulos/crece-por-decenas-el-numero-de-enfermedades-atribuibles-al-alcohol-pero-algunas-son-reversibles-dice-estudio), they note that alcohol can increase cardiovascular strain when people are in an emotional state. During the first few minutes of the match, when the outcome was still uncertain, heart rates reached their highest levels. Once the game seemed to be decided, fans' heart rates dropped. However, two goals scored in the final minutes caused them to spike again, even though the chances of a comeback were practically nil. (You can only imagine how fast Argentina fans' hearts were thumping during this week's furious comeback against Egypt.) For the authors, this reflects that the body responds not only to the objective chances of winning but also to emotions such as hope, pride, or attachment to the team. Advertisement The findings align with the results of previous studies on the physiological impacts of soccer. That incluides a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0707427?utm_source=chatgpt.com) after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, found that the risk of suffering an acute cardiovascular event nearly triples during German national team matches among people with preexisting heart conditions. Subsequent research shows that matches can lead to an increase in stress hormones such as cortisol and found that fans who identify more strongly with their team exhibit more intense biological responses during decisive matches. This article originally appeared on WIRED en Español (https://es.wired.com/articulos/esto-es-lo-que-ver-una-final-de-futbol-le-hace-a-tu-cuerpo-segun-la-ciencia) and has been translated from Spanish. Most Popular • https://www.wired.com/story/madison-square-garden-celebrity-database-surveillance/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2 Cyberattacks and Hacks Madison Square Garden Kept a List of Gay Celebrities (https://www.wired.com/story/madison-square-garden-celebrity-database-surveillance/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2)By Noah Shachtman • https://www.wired.com/story/meta-now-lets-anyone-use-your-instagram-photos-in-ai-images-unless-you-opt-out/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2 Gear Meta Now Lets Anyone Use Your Instagram Photos in AI Images—Unless You Opt Out (https://www.wired.com/story/meta-now-lets-anyone-use-your-instagram-photos-in-ai-images-unless-you-opt-out/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2)By Reece Rogers • https://www.wired.com/story/why-do-some-soccer-players-cut-the-heels-off-their-cleats/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2 Science Why Do Some Soccer Players Cut the Heels Off Their Cleats? (https://www.wired.com/story/why-do-some-soccer-players-cut-the-heels-off-their-cleats/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2)By Jorge Garay • https://www.wired.com/story/this-buried-apple-feature-turns-an-iphone-into-the-perfect-kids-dumb-phone/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2 How To and Advice This Buried Apple Feature Turns an iPhone Into the Perfect Kids’ Dumb Phone (https://www.wired.com/story/this-buried-apple-feature-turns-an-iphone-into-the-perfect-kids-dumb-phone/#intcid=_wired-right-rail_eff391f3-f527-4d0a-be8c-836c0e0dfcdc_popular4-2)By Jeremy White * Comments Back to top (https://www.wired.com/story/what-watching-soccer-final-does-to-your-body/#main-content) There aren’t any comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation! You need an account to add or like comments. Sign in or create account (https://www.wired.com/auth/initiate?redirectURL=%2Fstory%2Fwhat-watching-soccer-final-does-to-your-body%2F%3Fsource%3DCOMMUNITY_LOGIN%23leave-a-rating&source=COMMUNITY_LOGIN) 2026 FIFA World Cup • Locked Out (https://www.wired.com/story/locked-out-world-cup-america-visas-fans/) of the World Cup: A Year Marked by Barriers, Borders, and Broken Access • This World Cup, You Can Watch the Game (https://www.wired.com/story/world-cup-referee-body-cameras-live/) From a Ref’s Point of View • Streamer IShowSpeed (https://www.wired.com/story/big-interview-ishowspeed-world-cup/) Is Gen Z’s ESPN • Redditors Are Using AI to Beat Obscene World Cup Ticket Prices (https://www.wired.com/story/redditors-are-using-ai-to-beat-obscene-fifa-world-cup-ticket-prices/) • Mapping (https://www.wired.com/story/us-world-cup-2026-alpr-camera-stadiums/) Every Flock License Plate Reader Near US World Cup Stadiums • Welcome to the Waymo World Cup (https://www.wired.com/story/welcome-to-the-waymo-world-cup/) https://www.wired.com/author/jorge-garay/ Jorge Garay (https://www.wired.com/author/jorge-garay/) is a contributor to WIRED en Español. He specializes in technology, cybersecurity, and the legislative impact of social media. He has worked in digital media for 10 years. He is passionate about geek culture, astronomy, and the development of new communication technologies. ... Read More (https://www.wired.com/author/jorge-garay) Contributor TopicsWorld Cup 2026 (https://www.wired.com/tag/world-cup-2026/)Sports (https://www.wired.com/tag/sports/)health (https://www.wired.com/tag/health/)soccer (https://www.wired.com/tag/soccer/)stress (https://www.wired.com/tag/stress/)fandom (https://www.wired.com/tag/fandom/) WIRED's Guide to How the Universe Works Your weekly roundup of the best stories on health care, the climate crisis, new scientific discoveries, and more. Sign up By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement) (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions (https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement#introduction-arbitration-notice)), and acknowledge our privacy policy (https://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy). Read More https://www.wired.com/story/penalty-shootouts-is-the-team-that-kicks-first-more-likely-to-win/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Penalty Shootouts: Is the Team That Kicks First More Likely to Win? (https://www.wired.com/story/penalty-shootouts-is-the-team-that-kicks-first-more-likely-to-win/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) Penalty kicks are already proving critical to big wins at this year’s World Cup. But the advantage in penalty kicks has more to do with psychological effects than who kicks first. Jorge Garay https://www.wired.com/story/2026-fifa-world-cup-dangerous-temperatures-heat/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 1 in 4 World Cup Matches Could Be Played in Dangerous Temperatures (https://www.wired.com/story/2026-fifa-world-cup-dangerous-temperatures-heat/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) A new report warns that Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Houston could be particularly hot places to play during the 2026 World Cup. Fernanda González https://www.wired.com/story/world-cup-norway-scores-city-of-bergen-trembles/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Every Time Norway Scores at the World Cup the City of Bergen Trembles (https://www.wired.com/story/world-cup-norway-scores-city-of-bergen-trembles/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) This curious phenomenon was documented by the seismometer at the University of Bergen, which recorded slight vibrations whenever the national team scored a goal. Marta Musso https://www.wired.com/story/mexicos-victory-over-ecuador-artificial-earthquake/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Mexico’s Victory Over Ecuador Made the Ground Shake. Was It an Artificial Earthquake? (https://www.wired.com/story/mexicos-victory-over-ecuador-artificial-earthquake/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) Fans’ euphoric reactions to the Mexican national team’s recent victory in the 2026 World Cup caused a series of unusual vibrations that were detected by seismic warning systems. Fernanda González https://www.wired.com/story/sunshine-and-saharan-dust-make-miamis-world-cup-quarter-final-a-dangerous-game-for-england-norway/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Sunshine and Saharan Dust Make Miami’s World Cup Quarter-Final a Dangerous Game (https://www.wired.com/story/sunshine-and-saharan-dust-make-miamis-world-cup-quarter-final-a-dangerous-game-for-england-norway/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) English and Norwegian players will face off under extreme and dangerous levels of heat stress, scientists say, thanks to a Wet Bulb Index over over 90°F. Isabella Ward https://www.wired.com/story/the-science-behind-why-soccer-players-at-the-2026-world-cup-are-cutting-their-socks/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 The Science Behind Why Soccer Players at the 2026 World Cup Are Cutting Their Socks (https://www.wired.com/story/the-science-behind-why-soccer-players-at-the-2026-world-cup-are-cutting-their-socks/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) Holes in socks have become a curious sight at this year’s World Cup. The reasons why are a weird mix of biomechanics, perception, and player habits. Jorge Garay https://www.wired.com/story/what-are-fish-oil-supplements-good-for-heres-your-crash-course/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Fish Oil Supplements May Not Help Stave Off Dementia After All (https://www.wired.com/story/what-are-fish-oil-supplements-good-for-heres-your-crash-course/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) A large-scale clinical trial has shown that even long-term consumption of DHA—an omega-3 fatty acid found in abundance in oily fish—may not lead to improvements in cognitive function. Ritsuko Kawai https://www.wired.com/story/food-preservatives-may-increase-the-risk-of-high-blood-pressure-and-cardiovascular-disease/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Food Preservatives May Increase the Risk of High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease (https://www.wired.com/story/food-preservatives-may-increase-the-risk-of-high-blood-pressure-and-cardiovascular-disease/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) Aa large-scale study demonstrates that preservatives widely used in everyday processed foods may exacerbate common health risks. Ritsuko Kawai https://www.wired.com/story/venezuelas-powerful-earthquakes-rare-seismic-doublet/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Venezuela’s Powerful Earthquakes Were a Rare ‘Seismic Doublet’ (https://www.wired.com/story/venezuelas-powerful-earthquakes-rare-seismic-doublet/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) The country was hit hard by a pair of quakes that happened in quick succession and were likely driven by stress being transferred from one part of the fault that runs through the country to another. Fernanda González https://www.wired.com/story/iran-world-cup-sports-politics/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 For Iran’s Athletes, There Is No Separating Sports From Politics (https://www.wired.com/story/iran-world-cup-sports-politics/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) From defections and protests to moments of national pride, the 2026 World Cup arrives amid decades of tension between identity and the state. Tamara Davison https://www.wired.com/story/satellite-images-damage-caused-by-venezuela-earthquakes/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 Satellite Images Show the Destruction Caused by Venezuela's Twin Earthquakes (https://www.wired.com/story/satellite-images-damage-caused-by-venezuela-earthquakes/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) The maps and images show the extent of destruction and give rescue operations a tool to find any remaining survivors. Fernanda González https://www.wired.com/story/super-el-nino-turns-worlds-weather-upside-down/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1 El Niño Is Here to Turn the World’s Weather Upside Down (https://www.wired.com/story/super-el-nino-turns-worlds-weather-upside-down/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_54bac639-7a5c-49b9-b61b-838290cb910c_closr_fallback_text2vec1) From a wet winter in the Southwest to fewer Atlantic hurricanes, this is what to expect as a potential super El Niño takes shape. Brian Kahn https://www.wired.com/v2/offers/wira01045?source=Site_0_JNY_WIR_DESKTOP_FOOTER_0_US_ACQ_SEGMENT_SOPHI_TEST_AI_SOPHI_OPEN_APRIL_2026_ZZ_PANELB