Author(s): LI, Y., BAO, R., Institution: BEIJING SPORT UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1396

VAR was introduced to professional football to enhance decision-making accuracy; however, its reception among fans has been mixed and remains contested. Previous research on English Premier League supporters suggests a general acceptance of VAR, with younger fans exhibiting more positive perceptions than older counterparts. A recent study of Chinese online fans during the 2022 FIFA World Cup reported overall VAR satisfaction at a moderate level, with perceived value and fan expectation positively affecting satisfaction. However, despite the growing body of international research, empirical evidence on how Chinese Super League (CSL) fans particularly those who watch matches live in stadiums perceive VAR remains scarce, even though in-stadium spectators experience VAR decisions under different informational and emotional conditions compared to mediated viewing contexts.

This study employed a mixed-methods design comprising an online survey of approximately 1,000 CSL supporters and semi-structured interviews with a purposive subset. The survey assessed multiple dimensions of VAR attitudes, including perceived fairness, match experience impact, overall satisfaction, and attitude differences across demographic characteristics and match attendance patterns, using Likert-scale measurements. Quantitative findings indicate that a majority of fans acknowledge VAR’s contribution to enhancing decision fairness, while a substantial proportion simultaneously report negative effects of VAR interruptions on in-stadium atmosphere and emotional engagement. Preliminary analysis further suggests that fan age and frequency of stadium attendance are meaningfully associated with variations in VAR attitudes, indicating that experiential factors play an important role in shaping evaluations of officiating technology.

Complementary interviews were conducted to contextualize and explain these quantitative patterns. Qualitative analysis reveals three emergent themes:(i) a tension between technical fairness and spectator enjoyment, whereby accurate decisions are valued but extended reviews reduce excitement; (ii) contextual expectations, with some fans perceiving VAR outcomes as inconsistent with their intuitive sense of the “flow of the game”; (iii) communication gaps, as respondents reported uncertainty regarding the explanation of VAR decisions during live matches, particularly in stadium settings.

By focusing on CSL fans in a distinct cultural and competitive context, this study extends existing VAR research by identifying both shared patterns and context-specific differences in fan attitudes relative to Western leagues. The findings contribute to sport media and fan attitude research by emphasizing the role of spectator experience in technology acceptance and offering practical implications for improving in-stadium communication and fan engagement.