Fotbollsturismens sociala aspekter utifrån ett hållbart perspektiv : En undersökning hur fotbollsresenärer påverkar lokalbefolkningen på en destination

Sammanfattning: This study was made by two students for their bachelor theses in Tourism Studies at Södertörns högskola in Sweden. The aim of the study was to investigate the social aspects of football tourism from a sustainable perspective. The study investigated what's essential for football travellers when they travel both abroad, but also in Sweden, to see a football game. Another factor that was investigated was how the locals, especially those living near a arena, are influenced by the behavior of the football travelers when a football event is taking place. The problems that may arise with a football trip are that locals and travelers can end up in conflicts that can lead to social consequences at the destination as well as reduce social sustainability. This study investigated this phenomenon and by identifying the problems which arise with a football trip, it can help to increase the social sustainability of the destination.  The method which was used to investigate the phenomenon of this study consisted of interviews with football travelers, the locals around Friends Arena, employees at Friends Arena and a football organizer. This was considered to contribute to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon and also give an understanding from different perspectives. At the same time, an observation was also performed on a football game to increase knowledge and understanding of a football event, but also to gain insight into the behavior of football travelers. The material that was gathered in form of interviews was then combined with theories to get a better perception of the phenomenon. The result of the study showed that the biggest motive for a football trip was to get and feel belonging with other supporters. It was the feeling of identity with other travelers that mattered the most. The result also showed that football travelers end up in a free zone where everything is allowed, which contributed to changing their behavior during the trip. Alcohol turned out to be a big part of this belonging with others and a significant part of the travel, especially in Sweden. This contributed that the local population, especially the older group, felt worried when there was a football event. It also turned out that because of this they had to adapt their personal needs and could not be near the arena when there was a football event. This also contributed to social conflicts among football travelers and locals and reduced social sustainability at the destination.  The problems surrounding football tourism proved to arise among the locals when they felt worried and had to adapt to a football event. Football travelers didn't see this as a problem because they ended up in a free zone and ignored individuals around them. Sustainable tourism should satisfy the needs of the tourist while not having to destroy the need of the local population. This was not achieved in this case, which also makes the social sustainability of football tourism difficult to achieve.