Work

Prime Time for Crime? A Multi-City Analysis of Sporting Events, Sports Venues, and Crime

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives This study examines the relationship between sporting events and crime near sports venues based on a sample of Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) regular season games. Methods Open crime data drawn from 21 U.S. cities were analyzed using a quasi-experimental design that compared differences in crime around venues hosting home games to venues whose teams play an away game, at the same time, from 2015 to 2023. Results Within one kilometer of sports venues, larceny and assault rose when stadiums hosted games. Larceny peaked before and after games, while assaults tended to occur during and after games, suggesting different opportunity structures across crime types. Conclusions The relationship between sporting events and crime varies by where games are hosted and is sensitive to some analytic considerations, which in turn have important implications for criminological theory and strategies to mitigate the criminogenic effects of these events.

Source: Journal of Quantitative Criminology

DOI: 10.1007/s10940-026-09672-8

Authors: Travis M. Carter, Richard K. Moule, Jedidiah Knode

Institutions: University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of South Florida, Michigan State University

Language: English

Topic: Crime Patterns and Interventions

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,090