Guest Columnist

Logan McGill

Poll Reveals Exactly Where California Sports Fans Want to be Buried

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.

California sports fans' choices were as follows:

#1. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Perched in Chavez Ravine since 1962, Dodger Stadium has watched over Los Angeles for more than six decades. The Dodgers have called this place home through eras of triumph and heartbreak, all of it witnessed by fans who return year after year. Something about the way the sun sets behind the outfield pavilions makes even an ordinary game feel cinematic. For those who grew up with this view, scattering ashes here would mean never really leaving the place that felt like a second home.

#2. Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Few stadiums carry the weight of history quite like the Rose Bowl. Since 1922, this Pasadena landmark has hosted college football's grandest traditions, Olympic events, and World Cup matches that captivated the nation. The San Gabriel Mountains rising beyond the rim give every visit a sense of occasion. To be laid to rest here is to remain part of a venue that has witnessed some of sports' most unforgettable moments.

#3. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
California Standing since 1923, the Coliseum has been the backdrop for two Olympic Games, legendary USC football, and moments that shaped the history of Los Angeles itself. The iconic peristyle and Olympic torch give the stadium a grandeur that few venues can match. Walking through these gates feels like stepping into something larger than any single game. Choosing this as a final resting place would honor a connection to over a century of shared memories.

#4. Petco Park, San Diego
In the heart of downtown San Diego, Petco Park has been home to the Padres since 2004. The blend of modern design and perfect weather makes every game feel like an event worth savoring. Beyond the outfield walls, the city hums with an energy that spills into the stands. For devoted fans, scattering ashes nearby would mean remaining part of the place where so many perfect afternoons unfolded.

#5. Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
When Levi's Stadium opened in 2014, it brought the 49ers into a new era while honoring decades of tradition. The Silicon Valley setting feels fitting for a franchise that has always aimed to innovate. On game days, the sea of red that fills these seats carries forward a legacy that stretches back generations. To be laid to rest here is to remain part of a faithful community that bleeds scarlet and gold.

#6. Angel Stadium, Anaheim
Since 1966, Angel Stadium has anchored the baseball experience in Orange County. Generations of fans have watched the Angels take the field here, building traditions that parents pass down to their children. The big "A" in the parking lot has become a landmark in its own right. Having ashes scattered here would reflect a lifetime of summer nights spent in these familiar seats.

#7. Oracle Park, San Francisco
Opened in 2000 along the San Francisco waterfront, Oracle Park quickly became one of baseball's most beloved destinations. Giants fans gather here with the bay stretching out beyond right field, kayakers waiting for splash hits, and the city skyline framing it all. There's a magic to watching a game as the fog rolls in over the upper deck. To rest here is to stay close to a place where the beauty of the setting matches the love of the game.

#8. SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Opened in 2020, SoFi Stadium announced itself as one of the most ambitious sports venues ever built. Home to both the Rams and Chargers, it has already hosted a Super Bowl and will welcome the world for the 2028 Olympics. The scale of the place takes your breath away the first time you see it. Choosing this as a final resting place would tie you to a landmark that's still writing its opening chapters.

#9. Honda Center, Anaheim
Since 1993, Honda Center has been where Anaheim comes together for hockey, concerts, and moments that bring strangers to their feet as one. The Ducks have built their history here, and the arena has absorbed the roar of every playoff run and overtime victory. Some places just hold onto the emotion of what happens inside them. Even as a purely symbolic idea, imagining ashes scattered here reflects a bond with a venue that became part of the rhythm of life.

#10. Chase Center, San Francisco
Rising in San Francisco’s Mission Bay district since 2019, Chase Center has given the Warriors a home befitting a dynasty. The arena pulses with an energy that reflects the team’s championship pedigree and the city’s passion for basketball, while views of the bay peek through the concourse, reminding you that this isn’t just any arena. Though not feasible in real life, the notion is meant symbolically, reflecting the deep attachment supporters feel to this building. For fans who followed the team through its golden era, scattering ashes here would mean staying close to where greatness became routine.

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.”