Since its creation, fantasy football has gone way beyond being a simple game that you chat about with co-workers around the water cooler. Born in 1962, it has steadily grown into a cultural phenomenon that’s woven itself deeply into the fabric of the NFL.
Now, in 2025, the excitement of game night doesn’t stop at the stadium; it spills over into living rooms and group chats as millions of fans track the real-time performances of their fantasy NFL rosters.
Every touchdown, interception and yard gained carries extra weight, heightening the drama and sparking friendly rivalries. And for some, the stakes are even higher. In leagues across the country, last-place finishers are forced to endure light-hearted but humiliating forfeits, from cringeworthy TikTok dances to bizarre food challenges.
Ahead of this season’s kick-off, we surveyed fantasy football players to uncover their unique habits, strategies and preferences. The results offer fresh insight into the psyche of players, revealing fascinating insights into how this pastime furthers their connection to the NFL and even shapes their social lives.
When and where do fans manage their fantasy football teams?
A key aspect of fantasy football habits is how long players spend drafting teams and managing line-ups. And when asked whether they felt addicted to checking their fantasy teams, 45% said “yes, absolutely”, while 34% said that they only “occasionally” felt the urge to check. Meanwhile, just 12% said they felt addicted “only during game days”, and 9% said “not at all”.
Naturally, some states have more fantasy NFL buffs who feel absolutely addicted, such as 41% of players in Florida, 42% in Texas, and a mighty 52% in California. The age of players is also a major factor too, as 50% of people aged 18-24 and the same number of players aged 35-44 said they were absolutely addicted, compared to just 18% of those aged 65 and over.
But how much time do players actually spend playing fantasy football? Well, it largely depends on which team you support. The national average is between 1 and 3 hours a week (53% of players), but some fans are even more invested.
Followers of the Baltimore Ravens spend 3 hours and 45 minutes per week managing their fantasy NFL teams, placing them in the top three. While Buffalo Bills fans commit a tiny bit more of their time to this passion, averaging 3 hours and 47 minutes per week.
But the number one spot clearly goes to fans of the New York Giants, who happily dedicate an incredible 4 hours and 6 minutes every week to their fantasy football rosters!
As for their surroundings when managing fantasy football teams, 24% of players do it while watching the actual game, and 20% put time aside before sleeping. An additional 15% focus on fantasy NFL when on a lunch break, and 8% do it while actually at work.
Surprisingly, only 8% manage their teams while enjoying some quiet time on the toilet.
And the commitment doesn’t end there, as players are willing to delay or even cancel all kinds of plans because of fantasy football. A night out with friends suffers the most, as 23% of players will delay or cancel in favor of fantasy NFL. A family dinner (20%) and weekend plans (20%) are also commonly sacrificed, and 8% of players will even postpone or call off a date!
Common fantasy football habits
Fantasy football is so popular and absorbing that many players find themselves rooting for players on their teams more than the real-life team they support. In fact, 60% of players say they’re either always or often rooting for players who don’t play for their supported team.
When it comes to this level of dedication, the most affected fantasy NFL fanbases are the Arizona Cardinals (53%), Los Angeles Chargers (48%), Atlanta Falcons (43%), New Orleans Saints (37%) and Miami Dolphins (36%).
Many fans (69%) even draft players from their favorite NFL teams despite knowing they may not perform well. This is especially common among people aged 45-54, as 71% of them show blind faith and draft a player knowing that they may not do a great job. Meanwhile, only 36% of fantasy football fans aged 65+ would do the same.
The most confident fantasy football players
Some people are so proud of their fantasy football management skills, they believe they could do a better job than an actual NFL coach. Overall, 46% of players say they sometimes feel this way, especially when NFL coaches make shocking calls. Even more impressive are the 29% of fantasy NFL players who say they could do a better job “every Sunday, without fail”.
There are some fan bases in particular that believe they could manage a team better than professional NFL coaches, with 44% of New York Giants, 44% of Detroit Lions and 47% of Arizona Cardinals fans confidently making this bold claim.
This isn’t surprising, though, as 60% of players say that fantasy football has made them more knowledgeable of NFL teams. In addition, 48% say it has helped them find out more about individual players, and 41% better understand player positions and roles due to fantasy NFL.
However, only 15% say the game has made them more knowledgeable of coaching styles and decisions, but perhaps that’s because they were already masterminds of the sport (at least in their own humble opinion).
Catch the latest sports news
So, there you have it. It’s clear to see that fantasy football isn’t just a pastime, as many Americans consider it a season-long rollercoaster of strategy, suspense and pure chaos. It turns casual NFL followers into stat-crunching analysts and makes every Monday night matchup feel like the Super Bowl.
Whether you’re a diehard player who researches every aspect of the sport or a newcomer just trying to avoid last place (and the dreaded TikTok dance forfeit), the thrill of competition will keep you coming back year after year.
Our survey also shows that fantasy football habits go far beyond the game itself. They shape friendships, fuel rivalries, and sneak their way into everyday conversations at work, at home and on social media. As the new NFL season kicks off, millions will once again obsess over points, plays and playoffs, because in the world of fantasy NFL, every fan is also a team owner.
In fact, many believe they can do a better job than the real NFL coaches… all from the comfort of their own bathroom.
The question is, are you part of the 30% of fantasy football players who watch every NFL game? Or maybe you just like to catch up on the latest sports developments when you get a spare minute? Whatever the case, we have all the latest sports news right here.
