A newly published study, “Prime Time for Crime? A Multi-City Analysis of Sporting Events, Sports Venues, and Crime,” by Travis M. Carter, Ph.D., Richard K. Moule, Jr., Ph.D., and Jedidiah Knode, examines how major sporting events shape crime in surrounding areas.
Led by Carter, assistant professor in UNO’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the multi-city analysis finds that larceny and assault increase within one kilometer of MLB and NFL stadiums during home games. Drawing on data from 21 U.S. cities between 2015 and 2023, the research offers a detailed look at how game-day crowds influence crime patterns near stadiums.
Why crime patterns matter on game day
Major sporting events draw tens of thousands of fans—along with opportunities for crime. Understanding when and where crime occurs can help cities, law enforcement, and venue operators better plan for safety, staffing, and prevention strategies.
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This research highlights a broader reality: large gatherings can amplify risks tied to crowd size, alcohol consumption, and heightened emotions.
Different crimes, different timelines
Not all crime follows the same playbook.
- Larceny (theft) spikes before and after games, as crowds gather and disperse.
- Assault is more likely during and after games, when alcohol consumption and emotional intensity peak.
The takeaway: different crimes follow different timelines, driven by distinct “opportunity structures.”
By the numbers
- 21 U.S. cities analyzed
- MLB and NFL games included
- 2015–2023 data window
- 1-kilometer radius around stadiums studied
Researcher perspective
Travis Carter, Ph.D., UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said sporting events change routine activity in predictable ways.
“Sporting events create predictable shifts in routine activity. When large crowds gather, opportunities for both property crime and interpersonal violence increase—but not in the same way or at the same time.”
Big-picture implications for communities
This study reflects UNO’s commitment to pragmatic research that improves communities. By uncovering real-world crime patterns, UNO researchers are helping cities develop smarter, data-driven public safety strategies—advancing the university’s mission to transform lives through impactful discovery.
What’s next: exploring the data
Readers can see the data for themselves and explore what was collected around the stadiums and what it shows.
Carter’s work features an interactive data storytelling tool that maps crime patterns near stadiums across 21 cities—before, during, and after game day. The findings point to a clear trend: crime near stadiums is not random. It increases on home game days, driven by large crowds and shifting activity patterns, with the greatest impact on nearby neighborhoods.
For cities and venues, that insight matters. Stadiums often rely on public funding, and with measurable increases in public safety demands, the data adds a new layer to how communities evaluate costs, policing strategies, and event planning.
“The Hidden Cost of Hosting” breaks down these patterns in a way that is visual, accessible, and easy to navigate.
