Buried in a Stadium? Some Say Yes!

Sports fandom is often framed as a lifelong commitment, but for some supporters, it’s something even more permanent. The kind of loyalty that doesn’t just survive bad seasons, relocations, or heartbreak, but quite literally follows them to the grave.

A new survey of 3,013 sports fans by SportsbookReview.com, a leading sports review site, set out to explore just how deep those allegiances run, asking a surprisingly revealing question:

If given the choice, which stadium would you want your ashes scattered in?

The results paint a picture of the venues fans feel most emotionally tied to and how those connections blur the line between tradition, identity, and ritual. The study also digs into how far supporters would actually go to make it happen, including whether they would bend (or quietly ignore) the rules to secure a final resting place on hallowed ground.

Indiana sports fans’ choices were as follows:

#1. Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend
Since 1930, Notre Dame Stadium has stood as one of college football’s most sacred cathedrals. To be laid to rest here is to remain forever part of a tradition that transcends the sport itself. Touchdown Jesus watches over every game from the library mural beyond the North end zone, and the echoes of legends seem to drift through the autumn air. The Fighting Irish faithful don’t just attend games here—they make pilgrimages.

#2. Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When Lucas Oil Stadium opened in 2008, it gave the Colts a venue worthy of a franchise that has delivered some of the NFL’s most memorable moments. Having ashes scattered here honors a connection to a building that Indianapolis embraced as its own from day one. The retractable roof and massive window overlooking downtown create an atmosphere unlike any other in professional football. Big Ten championships and Final Fours have only added to its legacy.

#3. Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Standing since 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse is a living museum of basketball history. Butler basketball has called this arena home for nearly a century, and the movie Hoosiers immortalized its timeless charm. The wooden rafters and classic sightlines transport you to an era when the game was simpler but no less passionate. While placing ashes on the hardwood itself isn’t realistically feasible, the hypothetical speaks to something deeper — for those who grew up revering the game in Indiana, choosing this as a symbolic final resting place feels like coming home. 

#4. Mackey Arena, West Lafayette
Since Since 1967, Mackey Arena has been the fortress where Purdue basketball comes to life. The steep upper deck creates a wall of sound that crashes down onto opponents, and the Paint Crew student section has earned a reputation as one of the most intimidating in the country. Boilermaker faithful know this building demands everything you’ve got. Even though scattering ashes across the court wouldn’t be possible in reality, imagining it captures the devotion fans feel — a symbolic way to remain tied to a program that has produced legends and heartbreakers in equal measure.

#5. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Home to the Pacers since 1999, Gainbridge Fieldhouse anchors the sports scene in downtown Indianapolis. The arena has hosted Final Fours, All-Star games, and countless nights where the hometown crowd refused to let their team lose quietly, all wrapped in a warmth that reflects the Midwestern hospitality surrounding it. Although impractical in reality, the sentiment behind it is symbolic — honoring a lasting connection to the court. To rest here is to remain connected to a franchise that helped put Indiana’s love of basketball on the professional map.

#6. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington
On the Indiana University campus since 1971, Assembly Hall has witnessed some of college basketball’s most glorious chapters. Five national championship banners hang overhead as proof of greatness achieved, while the candy-striped warm-up pants, the passionate student section, and the echoes of Bob Knight’s dynasty all live within these walls. Although scattering ashes on the court itself isn’t realistically possible, the hypothetical reflects the depth of connection fans feel. For Hoosier supporters who spent decades in these seats, the idea symbolizes becoming part of a venue where there’s truly no place quite like it.

Why a Stadium?

When asked what drives this kind of attachment, the answers were telling and deeply human:

• Emotional memories (family, friends, childhood) — 26% 
• Lifelong support for a team — 25% 
• It would be meaningful for loved ones — 19% 
• It feels like a “second home” — 17%
• Symbol of identity / who I am — 13% 

Together, they paint a picture of fandom that goes far beyond entertainment. These aren’t just places people visit—they are places people return to, again and again, across decades.

Would Fans Bend the Rules?

The survey also explored how far supporters would go to make this final wish a reality: 23% said they would still consider scattering ashes even if it wasn’t allowed.

Where Would They Choose?

If given the choice of location within a stadium:

• 64% would choose the field or court. 
• 32% would prefer outside the stadium 
• 4% would opt for the stands 

How Would Loved Ones Feel?

Being asked to carry out such a request brings its own emotional weight:

• 30% would feel honored 
• 49% would feel comfortable, but unsure how to go about it 
• 21% would feel uncomfortable 

Should Stadiums Allow It?

Opinion is split, but leans slightly in favor: 54% believe ash-scattering should be allowed in controlled circumstances. 

“Sports stadiums are some of the few places left where multiple generations share the exact same emotional experience,” says James Bisson, the Editor-in-Chief of SportsbookReview.com. “What we’re seeing here isn’t just about fandom – it’s about memory, identity, and belonging. For many people, these venues represent a constant in their lives, so it’s not surprising that some would want to remain connected to them in a lasting, symbolic way.”