Thinking space within fan cultures: an overview of geographical approaches in international literature

Authors

Abstract

Fan cultures have been studied since the 1990s, with geography serving as a theoretical framework for multidisciplinary approaches. However, there is a gap in studies that articulate fans with geographical space in Brazilian literature. The aim of this study is to understand the characteristics of international scientific production on fan cultures and space, seeking to elucidate its intersections with geography and to bring these issues closer to Brazilian geography. A systematic review was carried out through Scopus and Web of Science. After a four-stage screening, 49 articles published between 1997 and 2022 were selected. The articles underwent content and relational analysis aided by Vosviwer. The results allowed us to identify the articles’ main themes, concepts, and geographic areas of focus.  The results show that this literature reached its productive peak in 2021 and focuses on eight types of fans, with an emphasis on sports, music, and pop culture fans. The works cover six central geographic concepts, with place having the greatest representation, followed by landscape, public space, and territory. Thus, this article provides paths for advancing studies on fan cultures and their spaces in Brazil.

Author Biographies

Eduarda Cividini Pagnussat, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR)

PhD candidate and Master's degree in Geography at the Graduate Program in Geography of the Federal University of Paraná (PPGGEO/UFPR). Bachelor's degree in Tourism from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR).

Rodrigo Guissoni, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR)

PhD candidate in Geography at the Graduate Program in Geography of the Federal University of Paraná (PPGGEO/UFPR). Master's degree in Tourism from the Federal University of Paraná (PPGTUR/UFPR). Bachelor's degree in Tourism from the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP).

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Published

2025-08-19

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Article

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