Quiz: Home Field Advantage Deep Dive

Test your understanding of home field advantage concepts.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1

What is the approximate modern (2020s) baseline home field advantage?

A) 1.5 points B) 2.3 points C) 3.5 points D) 4.5 points

Question 2

Which factor typically contributes MOST to home field advantage?

A) Referee bias B) Travel fatigue C) Crowd noise D) Field familiarity

Question 3

The 2020 COVID season (with limited/no fans) showed home teams winning approximately what percentage?

A) 45% B) 51% C) 57% D) 60%

Question 4

How much does divisional familiarity typically REDUCE home field advantage?

A) 0.0 points B) 0.3 points C) 0.5 points D) 1.0 points

Question 5

What is the approximate playoff home field advantage (Wild Card/Divisional)?

A) 2.0 points B) 2.5 points C) 3.5 points D) 5.0 points

Question 6

Which direction of cross-country travel creates a LARGER disadvantage?

A) West to East B) East to West C) Both are equal D) Neither affects performance

Question 7

Seattle's Lumen Field is known for having approximately what level of home field advantage?

A) 2.0 points B) 2.5 points C) 3.5-4.0 points D) 5.0 points

Question 8

What home field advantage applies at the Super Bowl (neutral site)?

A) 0 points (none) B) 1.5 points C) 2.5 points (standard) D) 3.5 points

Question 9

Thursday Night Football typically adds how much to home field advantage (due to short rest for away team)?

A) 0.0 points B) 0.3 points C) 0.5 points D) 1.0 points

Question 10

What does the 2020 COVID data suggest about crowd effects specifically?

A) Crowds have no effect B) Crowds contribute ~0.5 points C) Crowds contribute ~1.5 points D) Crowds contribute ~3.0 points

Question 11

Denver's altitude creates approximately what additional home advantage?

A) 0.5 points B) 1.0 point C) 2.0 points D) 3.0 points

Question 12

How has home field advantage changed from the 1970s to the 2020s?

A) Increased by ~1 point B) Stayed constant C) Decreased by ~1 point D) Decreased by ~2 points

Question 13

Which stadium type typically has the HIGHEST home field advantage?

A) Open outdoor B) Enclosed indoor (dome) C) Retractable roof D) All are equal

Question 14

Primetime games (SNF/MNF) typically have what HFA adjustment?

A) -0.3 points (lower) B) 0.0 points (no change) C) +0.3 points (higher) D) +1.0 points (much higher)

Question 15

For a team traveling 3 timezones, the typical travel adjustment is approximately:

A) 0.2 points B) 0.4-0.6 points C) 1.0 points D) 2.0 points

Question 16

What percentage of home teams won games historically (pre-2020)?

A) 52% B) 55% C) 57% D) 60%

Question 17

Late season (Weeks 13-17) typically has what effect on HFA?

A) Decreases HFA B) No change C) Slight increase (+0.3) D) Large increase (+1.0)

Question 18

Why has home field advantage declined over the decades?

A) Better travel arrangements B) Competitive balance (salary cap) C) Improved visiting team facilities D) All of the above

Question 19

LA Chargers are known for having what type of home field advantage?

A) Above average B) Average C) Below average D) Highest in NFL

Question 20

When modeling HFA, what should you do for games between teams in the same timezone?

A) Use baseline HFA only B) Add travel adjustment C) Reduce HFA significantly D) Double the HFA

Answer Key

Question 1

Correct Answer: B) 2.3 points

Modern (post-2020) home field advantage has settled at approximately 2.3 points, down from historical highs of 3+ points.

Question 2

Correct Answer: C) Crowd noise

Crowd noise contributes 0.5-1.0 points, the largest single factor. The 2020 no-fans experiment confirmed crowds provide significant advantage.

Question 3

Correct Answer: B) 51%

Without fans, home teams won only 51% of games, compared to historical rates of 57%. This provides strong evidence for crowd effects.

Question 4

Correct Answer: C) 0.5 points

Divisional games reduce HFA by approximately 0.5 points due to familiarity, similar travel, and competitive knowledge.

Question 5

Correct Answer: C) 3.5 points

Playoff home field advantage is significantly higher than regular season, ranging from 3.0 (Wild Card) to 4.0+ (Conference Championship).

Question 6

Correct Answer: A) West to East

West to East travel is harder because players "lose" hours and must adjust body clocks forward, which is physiologically more difficult.

Question 7

Correct Answer: C) 3.5-4.0 points

Seattle's stadium design creates exceptional crowd noise, giving them one of the highest measured home field advantages in the NFL.

Question 8

Correct Answer: A) 0 points (none)

The Super Bowl is played at a neutral site with equal travel, so no meaningful home field advantage exists. The "home" designation is largely ceremonial.

Question 9

Correct Answer: C) 0.5 points

Thursday Night Football creates ~0.5 additional HFA because the road team has less rest and preparation time after playing the previous Sunday.

Question 10

Correct Answer: C) Crowds contribute ~1.5 points

The difference between normal HFA (~2.3) and no-fans HFA (~0.7) suggests crowds are responsible for approximately 1.5 points of home field advantage.

Question 11

Correct Answer: A) 0.5 points

Denver's altitude (5,280 feet) creates approximately 0.5 additional points of home advantage through reduced oxygen for unadjusted visitors.

Question 12

Correct Answer: C) Decreased by ~1 point

Home field advantage has declined from ~3.5 points (1970s) to ~2.3 points (2020s) due to better travel, competitive balance, and other factors.

Question 13

Correct Answer: B) Enclosed indoor (dome)

Enclosed stadiums trap crowd noise, creating louder environments and higher measured home field advantages.

Question 14

Correct Answer: C) +0.3 points (higher)

Primetime games have more engaged crowds and national attention, creating slightly higher home field advantage.

Question 15

Correct Answer: B) 0.4-0.6 points

Cross-country travel (3 timezones) adds approximately 0.5 points to home field advantage due to fatigue and circadian disruption.

Question 16

Correct Answer: C) 57%

Historically (1970s-2019), home teams won approximately 57% of games, reflecting ~3 point advantage.

Question 17

Correct Answer: C) Slight increase (+0.3)

Late season brings colder weather (favoring acclimated home teams) and potentially more consequential games with engaged crowds.

Question 18

Correct Answer: D) All of the above

Home field advantage has declined due to: charter flights, better hotels, salary cap parity, improved visiting facilities, and schedule optimization.

Question 19

Correct Answer: C) Below average

The Chargers have consistently lower home field advantage because opponent fans travel well to LA and fill the stadium.

Question 20

Correct Answer: A) Use baseline HFA only

When teams are in the same timezone, there's no travel adjustment needed—just use the baseline HFA (plus any other applicable adjustments).

Scoring Guide

Key Concepts Summary

1. Modern HFA: ~2.3 points (down from historical ~3.5)
2. Crowd Effect: ~1.5 points (confirmed by 2020 data)
3. Travel Effect: 0.2-0.6 points depending on distance/direction
4. Playoff Boost: +1.0 to +1.5 points
5. Divisional Reduction: -0.5 points
6. Venue Variation: 2.0 to 4.0 points by stadium