A new report suggests gamers who play sports titles are helping young people find an interest in real sports, either through increasing their support for a team or playing themselvesTech10:50, 27 Dec 2024Sports games play a key role in helping kids get engaged with sport(Image: EA)If you've ever scored an absolute worldie on EA FC and thought "I wonder if I could do that in real life", you're not alone.A new report has suggested that players of EA FC, NBA 2K, and more are more likely to follow and play the corresponding sports in real life.The study from video game studio Gang, which surveyed more than 1,000 children in the UK, and the same amount in the United States, says that players enjoying the likes of EA FC (erroneously still referred to as FIFA, naughty naughty) have given the sport a go 25% of the time.Could the next Messi be inspired to go for a kickabout by EA FC?(Image: AFP/Getty Images)According to the data, 89% of sports gamers play a corresponding sport in real life (although no word on whether that includes body slamming sofa cushions after playing WWE 2K).Three-quarters of those surveyed said the video game version helps them understand the rules of a game, and more than two-thirds play football titles like EA FC or eFootball, while just under half play basketball. Almost three-quarters of teenagers said sports titles had encouraged them to increase their support of an individual team.Speaking about the study, Alexandra Willis, director of digital and fan engagement at the Premier League, said "This report supports our instinct that audiences we reach via gaming are significantly more likely to understand, be interested in, and consume Premier League content more broadly, with the potential to be nurtured into lifelong fans for our clubs and broadcasters over time."Thankfully, players of Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat aren't likely to be stealing cars or decapitating foes just yet, but hey maybe Mario can inspire a new generation of plumbers.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED