Starting tomorrow, my sleep schedule is going to be in complete disarray. The 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20th, which means that I’ll be getting up very early — and staying up pretty late — in order to catch as much of it as I can. It’s an exciting moment because the women’s game has never been as popular as it is today, and the field for this year’s tournament truly feels wide open. There’s just one problem: I have no idea where to post about it.
For years, the answer was obvious. Twitter may not have been the global town square it aspired to be, but during live sporting events, it was pretty darn close. World Cups, the Olympics, and the NBA Finals turned into two-screen experiences. While you watched the drama unfold on your television, you kept refreshing Twitter to see the jokes, highlights, and clever observations roll in in real time.
For people sitting at home instead of being there in person, it made these events into communal experiences. Sure, I may not have been able to go to Russia in 2018 to see France win, but I could still subject people to my terrible jokes (and be constantly reminded that it’s called football, not soccer, while making them). Even last year, during a particularly controversial men’s World Cup in Qatar, my feed was still alive with people enjoying the spectacle and human drama of it all.
This isn’t just true of sports. Twitter has become an important live feed during all kinds of events; it’s really not the same watching a surprise-filled Nintendo Direct or struggling through a very long Apple event without all my friends (and others) having a fun time posting about it. Imagine seeing The Slap and not rushing to see what people were saying about it on the internet. Twitter might want to replace some of the functions of TV, but it’s really an accessory.
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Now, for the first time since I’ve become a capital p Poster, I’m not actually sure what to do. Twitter’s slow and steady decline has meant that, for me personally, I use it sparingly — and pretty much only for work purposes. The vibes are bad. For the most part, this has been a welcome development; turns out things like paying attention to movies or being a good parent are actually easier when you don’t have a phone in your hand. Who knew?
I’ve sort of moved over to Threads, but I don’t post much right now. The algorithmic feed means that I don’t always see what I’m looking for and have no idea if anyone sees my posts, so I often forget the app exists at all. This is especially bad for a big live event like the World Cup. If I’m logging on after Sam Kerr scores a wild goal, I want to see other people who are excited about it, too. Right now, there’s no way to do that on Threads. If I go on there during the Australia vs. Ireland match in the morning, chances are I’ll just see the same three meme accounts posting about iced coffee rather than anyone else watching the game.
And sure, I could always just, you know, stay off my phone and enjoy the game. Like I said, that has been a positive development for many things in my life. But in the case of these kinds of large, global, live events, having a feed of smart, clever, and funny people isn’t distracting — it makes them better. And if I’m getting up at 3AM to watch a match, I definitely want that feed so I know I’m not alone.
In today’s digital age, social media has transformed how we experience live events. Twitter, in particular, has been a go-to platform for many during major sporting events like the World Cup. It provided a virtual community where people could share their thoughts, jokes, and highlights in real time as they watched the action unfold on their screens.
However, the popularity of Twitter seems to be on the decline, and many users, like myself, have found themselves searching for alternative platforms to engage with during live events. The algorithmic nature of popular social media apps often makes it difficult to find the content we’re looking for, rendering the experience less satisfying.
Threads, a relatively new platform, offers an alternative for those seeking a communal experience during live events. However, its limited user base and lack of visibility make it less appealing for widespread engagement. So, what’s the solution for avid fans like me who want to be a part of the conversation?
One option is to disconnect from our phones and simply enjoy the game without distractions. With the prevalence of smartphones and social media, this may seem like a radical idea. However, unplugging from technology and immersing ourselves fully in the event can enhance the overall experience and allow us to focus on the game itself.
Yet, there’s an undeniable allure to the connectedness social media provides during live events. Being able to share our excitement, frustrations, and observations with others who are equally invested in the game creates a sense of camaraderie and amplifies the enjoyment.
As the Women’s World Cup approaches, I find myself torn between the desire to disconnect and the longing for that shared experience. Getting up at odd hours to watch the matches requires a certain level of commitment, and having a digital community to share that dedication with can be comforting.
While Twitter may not be the vibrant platform it once was, there are still pockets of the internet where fans gather to discuss and dissect the games. Niche forums, Facebook groups, and even dedicated fan websites offer alternatives for engaging with fellow fans.
For example, Reddit has a multitude of subreddits dedicated to specific sports and events, where enthusiasts can come together to discuss the games in real time. These communities often provide a more focused and dedicated space for fans to connect and share their passion.
In addition to online forums, streaming platforms like Twitch have also become popular hubs for live event engagement. From gaming tournaments to sports broadcasts, Twitch offers a chat feature that allows viewers to interact with each other while enjoying the action. This real-time interaction can replicate the sense of community that Twitter once provided.
Ultimately, the key is to find a platform or community that aligns with your interests and engages in the type of conversation you’re seeking. Whether it’s a subreddit, a Facebook group, or even an online forum dedicated to your favorite team, there are options out there for connecting with like-minded fans.
As the Women’s World Cup kicks off, I’ll be exploring these alternative platforms, searching for a space where I can share my excitement and experience the tournament alongside fellow fans. While Twitter’s decline may have posed a challenge, it has also opened the door for new and innovative ways to engage with live events.
So, as I adjust my sleep schedule to accommodate the early morning matches, I remain hopeful that I’ll find a digital community that can enhance my World Cup experience. After all, sharing the highs and lows of the game with others who are equally passionate is what makes these events truly special.
