Whether you’re trading friendship bracelets, wearing your lucky jersey, quoting Star Wars or planning where to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, you already know the feeling.

It’s fun. It’s familiar. And it feels even better when you find other people who care about it, too. That’s the feeling at the heart of fandom.

At KVC, our mental health professionals work with children, teens and families every day. We see how much connection matters, especially for young people who are figuring out who they are, what they care about and where they belong.

That’s why the mental health benefits of fandom are worth talking about. Healthy fandom can give children and teens space to express themselves, create positive memories and feel less alone. And as excitement builds for the World Cup, those moments of shared joy and connection are about to get even bigger.

Let’s look at how fandom can support mental health and how parents and caregivers can help children and teens enjoy it in safe, healthy ways.

What Is Fandom?

Fandom is the community, excitement and shared joy that grow around something people love, like a sports team, musician, movie, book series, TV show, celebrity or fictional world.

Fandoms often come with their own names, chants and traditions, like “Swifties” for Taylor Swift fans, “Whovians” for Doctor Who fans or soccer crowds chanting, “I believe that we will win!”

What the Kansas City Chiefs Rumble Shows Us About Fandom

If you’re familiar with the Kansas City Chiefs, you likely already know the energy of Chiefs Rumble, the talented drumline that makes game day unforgettable.

But did you know Chiefs Rumble was started by KVC’s own Director of Outpatient Services, Matt Arnet?

Seventeen seasons ago, Rumble began as a mix of two things Matt loves: drumming and the Kansas City Chiefs. That passion grew into a one-of-a-kind experience that lifts spirits, builds community and reminds fans they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

Mental Health Benefits of Fandom

So why does loving a team, artist or story feel so good? Because fandom often gives us what we need: belonging, identity, self-expression, friendship and positive experiences.

For children and teens, that sense of belonging can matter more than adults may realize.

1. Fandom Can Create a Sense of Belonging

Think about the moment the whole crowd shouts the same lyric at the same time. A loud chant starts in the parking lot after a winning game. Someone tells you “May the force be with you” when they see you wearing a Star Wars shirt. Those tiny moments of recognition can make people feel like they belong.

And belonging matters for mental health. When people feel disconnected, lonely or unseen, their mental health can suffer. Fandom helps by giving people a shared language, shared traditions and shared joy.

You can feel it anywhere fans gather. During the FIFA World Cup 2026™,  or another game it may look like people waving flags, wearing team colors and cheering side by side. At Comic-Con or a movie premiere, it can feel like being surrounded by people who understand why a story means so much to you.

That’s the feeling Matt wanted to create when he helped start Chiefs Rumble. Inspired by college game day traditions, Rumble brings the energy to fans before they ever reach their seats.

“We really pull people into the game day atmosphere and create a moment for them that they’ll remember beyond whatever happens at the game,” said Matt.

2. Fandom Can Help Children and Teens Understand Themselves

For children and teens, fandom can become a safe way to explore who they are.

When young people see someone who looks like them, lives like them or has experienced similar things, it can help them feel less alone. This can be especially powerful for children and teens who rarely see their identities, cultures, abilities or experiences reflected in a positive way.

A child who feels like they don’t fit in may connect with a Star Wars character who’s finding their place. A teen who loves soccer may feel inspired watching athletes from around the world compete with pride. A Taylor Swift fan may hear a song about heartbreak or growing up and think, “I can get through this, too.”

That’s one of the most meaningful mental health benefits of fandom: it can help young people feel seen.

3. Fandom Can Make Friendships Easier

Starting a conversation can feel hard, especially for children and teens who feel shy, anxious or unsure of where they fit.

Fandom gives people an easy way in. A friendship bracelet. A team hoodie. A song lyric. A character on a backpack. Suddenly, there’s something to talk about.

That shared interest can make starting new friendships feel less intimidating. For children and teens, fandom can become a bridge to friendships with classmates, relatives, teammates or safe online communities.

The World Cup is a great example. Millions of people may cheer for different teams, but they still share traditions, emotion and excitement. Even in competition, connection can grow.

4. Fandom Can Encourage Self-Expression

Fans don’t just sit back and watch. They get involved! They draw their favorite Star Wars character. Learn Taylor Swift lyrics so they can sing along at her concert. Paint a sign for game day. Plan a Comic-Con costume. Memorize stats from their favorite player.

For children and teens, self-expression can be a healthy way to explore what they like, what they value and how they want to show up in the world.

That’s why the mental health benefits of fandom go beyond entertainment. Healthy participation gives young people space to express personality, creativity and pride.

5. Fandom Can Create Positive Childhood Experiences

A child may forget the final score. They may not remember every song on the setlist. But they probably remember who watched with them, who cheered with them and how it felt to be included. That’s where fandom can become more than entertainment, it can become a happy memory.

At KVC, our team understands how important positive childhood experiences are, especially for children and teens who have faced trauma, stress or adversity. Fandom can help create those positive childhood experiences.

When Matt works with Chiefs Rumble, he especially loves taking time to engage with younger fans and try to create those special experiences.

“I’ve committed my career to helping kids have positive experiences,” said Matt. “That’s a big part of how we counterbalance kids’ exposure to trauma. You have to balance that with positive childhood experiences after all the adversity.”

Parenting Tips: Helping Children and Teens Stay Safe

Of course, fandom is not magic. Like anything children and teens participate in, it needs support and boundaries. The goal is to help them enjoy what they love in a way that protects their sleep, mood, relationships, safety and sense of self.

You don’t have to become an expert in every show, artist, game, team or online trend your child loves. You don’t need to love the fandom yourself. But staying curious can go a long way.

Ask what they like about it. Learn the names they keep mentioning. Watch a few minutes with them. Listen when they explain why it matters. That connection can make it easier to talk about online safety, screen time, spending, bullying, adult content or pressure from other fans.

It may be time to step in if your child or teen is losing sleep, feeling anxious, spending more money than budgeted, pulling away from real life relationships or getting upset by online conflict.

Avoid shaming them. Instead, help them reset. Try saying, “I can tell this really matters to you. Let’s figure out how to keep it fun and not overwhelming.”

Big Events & Moments Deserve a Plan

The mental health benefits of fandom are strongest when children and teens have supportive adults who stay curious, set healthy boundaries and help them feel connected offline, too.

If your family plans to enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2026™, or any other big event, our experts have prepared resources to help you plan ahead. You’ll find practical tips for navigating crowds, big emotions, routine changes, safety concerns, mental health support and more.

Explore KVC’s World Cup guide to help your family enjoy big events with more confidence and care.