Other meanings of home
Sports
In sports, home refers to the team or venue that hosts a game, with the home team playing in its own facility and often enjoying advantages such as crowd support and familiarity with the field.
The term home in sports denotes the team that plays in its own city or stadium, as opposed to the visiting or away team. In most team sports, each game is scheduled with one designated home team, which typically wears its primary uniform and has the last change in certain sports like baseball and hockey.1
The home team is responsible for providing the playing facility, and in some leagues, it receives a larger share of ticket revenue. The concept is formalized in league schedules, with each team playing roughly half its games at home.
Home teams win more often than away teams across most sports, a phenomenon known as home-field advantage. Studies show that in Major League Baseball, home teams win about 54% of games, while in the NBA the figure is around 60%.
Factors contributing to this advantage include familiar surroundings, lack of travel fatigue, support from local fans, and biased officiating in some cases. The advantage can be reduced in neutral-site games, such as the Super Bowl, which is played at a predetermined location.
The distinction between home and away teams emerged in the 19th century with the rise of organized baseball. Early clubs often played on their own grounds, and the practice of alternating home and away games became standard.
In the late 1800s, leagues began to formalize schedules, and the home team was given the last at-bat in baseball, a rule that persists today. This rule is thought to give the home team a strategic advantage.
In many sports, the home team has specific privileges. In baseball, the home team bats in the bottom of each inning. In hockey and basketball, the home team has the last line change, allowing it to match players against the opposition.2
In soccer, the home team is typically listed first on scoreboards, and in some leagues, the home team wears its traditional colors while the away team must wear contrasting kits. In American football, the home team may choose to defer the kickoff to the second half.
Home-field advantage can be influenced by altitude, as seen with the Denver Broncos, whose stadium is a mile above sea level, causing opponents to tire more quickly.3
In cricket, the home team often prepares pitches that favor its bowlers, a practice known as 'home advantage'. In some sports, like tennis, the concept of home is less relevant, but Davis Cup matches are played at a chosen venue.
Historically, some teams have had remarkable home streaks, such as the Chicago Bulls' 44-game home winning streak in the NBA from 1995 to 1996.
The concept of 'home' in sports is deeply embedded in the structure of competitions, influencing scheduling, rules, and outcomes.
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