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Find sources: "Spectator sport" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2024)

An association football match being watched by a large audience

Spectators watch on at the annual Independence Day (United States) foot race in Alma, Colorado, 1800s.

The Sydney Cricket Ground during a test match

A spectator sport is a sport that is characterized by the presence of spectators, or watchers, at its competitions. Spectator sports may be professional sports or amateur sports. They often are distinguished from participant sports, which are more recreational.