Stadium Atmosphere vs Home Comfort: Australians Are Creating Sporting Arena Experiences at Home

SYDNEY, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Samsung Australia indicates a whopping three-quarters (72%) of Australians believe the right technology and entertainment setup can make watching sport at home feel

just as special as being in the stadium^[1]. As demand for major sporting events continues to outpace ticket availability, and factors such as travel and accessibility influence attendance^[2], Australians are increasingly turning to at-home, immersive viewing experiences. In fact, 83% of Australians said they would like to transform an unused room or garage into the ultimate entertainment destination.^[3]

Australians' passion for sport remains as strong as ever, but the way they choose to experience it is evolving. Samsung research found that 91% of Australians believe watching from home offers a more comfortable and convenient experience, while 79% have opted to watch sport or entertainment from home due to the increasing cost of attending live events.^[4] The findings underscore a growing shift towards premium at-home entertainment – spanning connected set-ups made up of displays, sound and appliances – where comfort no longer requires compromising the atmosphere of game day.

"For Australians, sport is far more than entertainment. It's a cultural ritual that brings families, friends, and communities together, and technology is increasingly enhancing the experience, and bringing sport to life in Australians' homes. We've observed a growing demand for premium at-home viewing experiences, with more Australians investing in smart consumer electronics, helping them feel closer to the action – this spans multi-display set-ups made up of TVs, through to smartphones and appliances," said Phil Gaut, Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia.

"That's exactly why Samsung designs its TVs with innovations such as Glare-Free technology for our bright rooms, AI-powered picture enhancement to elevate every moment, alongside connected home appliances and surround audio to deliver a stadium-like experience from the comfort of home, all controlled from the palm of one's hand via a Galaxy mobile. Whether it's footy finals, cricket season or a major international event, Samsung is helping Australians experience every moment as it was meant to be seen. It's truly an exciting time for Samsung as we develop products made for Australians' spaces, lifestyles and passion-points, and bring immersive experiences to our homes, and surrounded by loved ones."

Bringing the stadium home

As Australians invest more in their at-home entertainment experiences, the research reveals that creating the ultimate viewing environment is about more than just watching the game. More than half (59%) of Australians believe a big-screen TV is essential^[5], highlighting a growing desire to recreate the convenience and atmosphere of a premium venue at home. This is backed by new Samsung insights that show that 60% of Australians believe the bigger the TV screen, the more immersed they feel in what they're watching, while 68% agree bigger screens makes content look more lifelike^[6].

Creating that stadium-like atmosphere at home starts with the screen itself. To meet growing demand for immersive viewing experiences, Samsung expanded its range of 98-inch-plus TVs from four models in 2025 to up to 10 by the end of 2026 across Micro RGB, The Frame, Neo QLED and Mini LED ranges. The expanded lineup gives Australians more choice across screen sizes, display technologies and price points, making it easier to bring a larger-than-life viewing experience into a wider range of homes and entertainment spaces^[7].To recreate the atmosphere of being at the stadium, nearly a third (31%) believe an immersive sound system is essential, helping deliver the roar of the crowd, every commentary call and key match moment straight into the home^[8].

Food and drink are also key ingredients for the ultimate at-home fan zone. More than two in five Australians (43%) say having a dedicated fridge for food and drinks is a must-have feature, yet many face practical challenges when hosting.^[9] One in five (21%) say constantly running back and forth to the kitchen disrupts the viewing experience, while 19% struggle with having enough fridge space to keep food and drinks on hand for guests.^[10] This highlights a growing desire for entertainment spaces that keep everything needed for game day within easy reach, and is in line with Samsung's commitment to smart refrigeration solutions spanning its Family Hub to Side-by-Side.

Today's viewing experience extends well beyond one main screen, with 72% of Australians also using their phone or another device while watching live sport, movies or entertainment at home.^[11] Whether it's messaging friends and family, checking scores, stats and updates, or engaging with content online, second-screen habits have become a core part of how Australians watch. Second-screen usage comes in tandem of multi-screen smartphones, and growth in the foldable form factor. In fact, more than one in four (28%) use an additional screen to watch replays, highlights, bonus content or other entertainment simultaneously^[12], showing the increasing demand for the Galaxy Z series, and connected experiences that help fans stay engaged without missing a moment.

With these factors in mind, many are looking beyond the living room and unlocking the potential of underutilised spaces to create dedicated entertainment zones. More than two in five (41%) see their garage as a space with entertainment potential^[13], while 40% admit it is currently used primarily for storage.^[14]

Samsung's top tips for making the ultimate fan zone made for Australians

As Australians look for new ways to elevate their game-day experience in underutilised spaces, Samsung's connected ecosystem of TVs, audio, mobile and home appliances is helping transform how sport is enjoyed at home. Whether hosting friends and family for footy finals, following live scores across multiple matches, or simply creating a more immersive viewing experience, Samsung's latest innovations are designed with passionate sports fans in mind.

Big screen, matched by big sound:

Samsung Micro RGB R95H 4K Samsung Vision AI TV

• Australians love big screens, meaning every seat in the house is a good one helping fans feel closer to every moment of the action.
• With Samsung Vision AI for intelligent picture enhancements and Glare-Free technology, clear visibility and vibrant picture quality in a variety of lighting conditions is achievable.

Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar

• Create a powerful, stadium-like audio experience – optimised via intelligent Adaptive Sound – that scene-by-scene helps bring every crowd roar, commentator call, and match-winning moment to life.
• Experience the true environment via SpaceFit Sound, tailoring the experience to the space's unique acoustics, making viewers feel part of the action.

Extra fridge room for gameday refreshments:

Samsung AI Home Side-by-Side Refrigerator

• Effortlessly elevate hosting by curating meals with Samsung Food suggested recipes, and keep drinks cool with Power Freeze, helping hosts spend more time with guests and less time making trips to the kitchen.
• Enjoy the game guilt free, knowing AI Energy Mode is working behind the scenes to reduce energy consumption.

Full ecosystem in the palm of your hand:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

• The ultimate productivity companion for sports fans – keep across scores, the group chat and live news with multi window, multi-tasking.
• Manage the TV, soundbar, refrigerator setting from the palm of your hand through the SmartThings app.

Availability

Samsung proudly produces a range of TV, sound solutions, home appliances and smartphones that are made for Australians' love of entertainment, sports and group gatherings. This footy finals season find out more about Samsung's full range of home entertainment products at samsung.com/au.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the world of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.