As summer heats up, so does the sports calendar. With major international soccer tournaments kicking off and basketball finals bringing fans together for every buzzer-beater, comeback and controversial call, millions of Americans are preparing to cheer, celebrate, and commiserate through some of the year’s biggest sporting moments.
Through it all, one thing is almost always within reach: our smartphones.
Fans use their phones to check scores, follow stats, react on social media and stay connected throughout the game. But according to research from Allstate Protection Plans, that excitement can sometimes come at a cost: 32.5 million Americans have damaged a smartphone while watching a sports game or event.
Sports Fandom Is Putting Smartphones at Risk
For many fans, it only takes a split second. A game-winning goal, a last-second three-pointer, or a missed penalty can quickly turn an emotional reaction into an expensive accident.
Among those who reported damaging a device while watching sports, the most common mishaps included:
• Dropping or falling from your hand (65%)
• Dropping a phone on the floor from a table, lap, or bar (33%)
• Throwing a phone in anger or excitement (27%)
• Spilling beer on a smartphone (22%)
While these may seem like everyday accidents, they can still lead to cracked screens, liquid damage, and costly repairs or replacements.
The Hidden Cost of Game-Day Accidents
While the excitement of a big game may fade, the cost of repairing a damaged smartphone can last much longer.
According to Allstate Protection Plans’ survey, Americans spend an average of $272 to repair or replace a smartphone damaged during a sports-related incident.
As smartphone prices continue to rise and consumers rely on their devices for work, communication, entertainment and everyday tasks, an unexpected repair bill can be more than just an inconvenience. For many people, a damaged smartphone not only means added costs, but also interrupted routines and the hassle of arranging a repair or replacement.
The Rise of Second-Screen Viewing
Sports-related phone accidents often happen in crowded, high-energy environments where distractions are everywhere. Whether fans are watching games at sports bars, outdoor viewing parties, backyard cookouts, or packed living rooms, smartphones are rarely out of reach as people check stats, scroll social media, and react in real time.
While 53% of Americans say they watch sports on their smartphones, second-screen viewing has also become a growing part of the modern fan experience. This is especially true during major soccer matches plus basketball and ice hockey finals games, when fans are following replays, score updates, and social reactions as they happen. But the more often phones are in hand, the greater the risk of drops, spills and other accidents.
In emotional moments, it only takes one sudden celebration, missed call, or controversial play for a phone to end up on the floor instead of safely in your hand.
Five Ways to Protect Your Smartphone During Game Day
While fans can’t control what happens on the ice, field or court, they can take steps to protect their devices:
- Use a protective case: A quality case can help reduce damage from accidental drops and impacts, especially in crowded or high-energy viewing environments.
- Keep drinks at a safe distance: Spills remain one of the most common causes of smartphone damage. Avoid leaving your phone on a crowded table or cooler where it’s in harm’s way.
- Secure your device during big moments: When the game reaches a critical point, placing your phone in your pocket or bag can help prevent accidental drops caused by sudden reactions.
- Avoid celebratory tosses: Even in moments of pure excitement, hold on to your phone. A celebration can quickly turn into an expensive mistake.
- Consider a protection plan: Accidents are unpredictable. Protection plans can help reduce the financial burden of repairs or replacement when mishaps occur.*
Protecting Devices Through Every Big Moment
Game-day excitement is inevitable, but a broken phone doesn’t have to be. Simple habits can help fans protect their devices while enjoying every moment of the action.
Methodology
Allstate Protection Plans 2024 Sports Survey was conducted in January 2024 and collected 1,000 responses from American adults. Population-based figures were derived using the 2020-2023 U.S. Census Population & Household Estimates.
*For Allstate Protection Plans full coverage details, see Terms & Conditions at AllstateProtectionPlans.com/terms.
