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Cleveland Unveils 'Best Fan' Sports Awards Contest

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. land-unveils-best-fan-sports-awards-contest.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 9:02 GMT by Cleveland.com

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Summarizing Cleveland’s “Best Fan” Sports Awards Contest

The recent Cleveland.com piece titled “Are you Cleveland’s best fan? Sports awards contest is open” dives deep into the city’s newest fan‑centric competition, a community‑driven initiative that aims to celebrate the passion and dedication of Cleveland sports supporters. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the contest’s background, structure, participation details, and broader cultural significance, all drawn from the article and the supplementary links it references.

1. The Contest’s Genesis

The article opens by recounting how the idea for the Cleveland “Best Fan” Sports Awards was born out of a desire to recognize the everyday heroes who make Cleveland sports culture vibrant. It was conceived by a collaboration between the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s sports editorial team and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame, as explained in a linked PDF of the contest’s bylaws. According to the document, the awards were designed to:

• Celebrate local fan culture: From Browns tailgating to Cavaliers game‑day rituals, the contest covers all major teams.
• Encourage community engagement: By showcasing stories of dedication, the awards aim to inspire more fans to participate actively.
• Promote local businesses: Sponsorships from Cleveland‑based companies such as FirstEnergy and Cleveland Clinic help fund prizes.

The Cleveland.com article underscores that the concept emerged during a 2024 planning session where fans voiced their desire for an official recognition platform. The award’s name, “Cleveland’s Best Fan,” was chosen after a public poll on the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame’s website (linked in the article).

2. Categories and Eligibility

a. Fan Categories

The contest is structured around several distinct categories, each focusing on a different facet of fan devotion. The article lists:

1. Best Cleveland Browns Fan – Highlighting support for the NFL team.
2. Best Cleveland Cavaliers Fan – Recognizing NBA passion.
3. Best Cleveland Guardians Fan – For MLB enthusiasts.
4. Best Cleveland Monsters Fan – Ice hockey aficionados.
5. Best Cleveland CitySC Fan – For the indoor soccer club.
6. Best Cleveland Charge Fan – A nod to the NBA G League team.
7. Best Cleveland Sports Enthusiast – A general category for fans who support multiple teams.

Each category has a specific set of criteria (e.g., continuous support for at least one season, creative displays of team spirit, community impact). The article notes that fans may compete in multiple categories, but the “Best Fan” award is reserved for the overall winner who exhibits exemplary dedication across the board.

b. General Eligibility

• Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old (or 16 with parental consent for the “Best Kid Fan” sub‑category, which the article lists as a special recognition for younger supporters).
• Residency: Contestants must be current residents of the Greater Cleveland area.
• Support: Genuine support for at least one Cleveland sports team, demonstrated through attendance, memorabilia, or community initiatives.

The article links to an FAQ page that elaborates on eligibility nuances, such as what constitutes “attendance” (ticket scans, photo evidence) and how to verify community contributions.

3. How to Enter

a. Submission Format

Fans are encouraged to submit a multimedia entry comprising:

• A 30‑second video showcasing their fan habits or a heartfelt explanation of why they love their team.
• A short written narrative (max 250 words) elaborating on the video.
• A selection of photos (maximum 5) illustrating their support.

The article includes a step‑by‑step guide, referencing a dedicated contest portal that provides a form for each category. For example, the “Best Cleveland Browns Fan” entry form is distinct from the Cavaliers form, ensuring the judging panel receives focused content.

b. Technical Requirements

• Video format: MP4 or MOV, max 5 MB.
• Photo resolution: Minimum 720 p, JPEG or PNG.
• Narrative: Typed in English, no special characters beyond standard punctuation.

The article notes that contestants must include a short bio (age, hometown, favorite team) to help judges gauge authenticity.

c. Submission Deadline

The deadline for entries is January 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The article highlights a countdown widget on the contest site that updates in real time, providing motivation for late‑comers.

4. The Judging Process

The Cleveland.com piece explains that a panel of judges—comprised of sports journalists, former players, and community leaders—will evaluate entries based on:

• Creativity and originality: How uniquely the fan expresses support.
• Impact: Whether the fan’s actions positively affect the community (e.g., charity fundraising, youth coaching).
• Engagement: Frequency and intensity of support (attendance, merchandise, social media presence).

The article references a PDF link to the judging rubric, ensuring transparency. Additionally, the panel will weigh public votes (via the contest site’s “Like” system) at a 30% proportion to keep the community involved.

5. Prizes and Recognition

a. Category Winners

• $1,000 cash prize for each category winner.
• Signed memorabilia from the respective team’s star players (courtesy of team sponsors).
• An exclusive “Cleveland Fan” trophy (ceramic with team logos).

b. Overall “Best Fan” Winner

• $5,000 cash prize.
• A year‑long pass to all Cleveland sports events (Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians, Monsters, etc.).
• An all‑star experience: meet‑and‑greet with players, behind‑the‑scenes tour of the stadium.
• Lifetime membership to the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.

The article details that the overall winner will be announced at a special awards ceremony on February 20, 2026, hosted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in the historic Cleveland Municipal Building.

6. Community Impact

The Cleveland.com article emphasizes the contest’s broader objectives:

• Strengthening community bonds: By spotlighting fans’ stories, the awards highlight how sports serve as a unifying force in Cleveland.
• Promoting local businesses: Sponsors—such as local breweries, eateries, and sports apparel shops—offer discounts to finalists, boosting local commerce.
• Encouraging charitable behavior: Many entries will include details about community service, aligning with the city’s volunteer initiatives. The article cites a link to the Cleveland Volunteer Center for further resources.

A quoted testimonial from the Hall of Fame director underscores the mission: “We want to show that Cleveland’s spirit isn’t just on the field; it’s in the hearts of the people who cheer it on.”

7. Social Media Amplification

The contest’s organizers have leveraged social media extensively. The Cleveland.com article includes a section that walks readers through the official hashtag #ClevelandBestFan. Contestants are encouraged to post their submissions on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, tagging the event’s handle, to maximize reach. The article links to a sample Instagram story from a past participant, illustrating how to incorporate the hashtag creatively.

The article also lists the official contest’s Twitter account (via a link) and a “Contest Live” YouTube channel that streams live judging sessions and behind‑the‑scenes footage from the awards ceremony.

8. How to Get Involved

While the contest is primarily for fans, the article stresses that there are opportunities for other community members to get involved:

• Volunteer Judges: Community leaders can apply to serve on the judging panel, pending background checks.
• Event Staff: Open positions at the awards ceremony, from ushering to technical support.
• Sponsors: Businesses can contribute prizes or financial support, with recognition on the awards night.

Applicants can find application forms linked directly in the article, simplifying the engagement process.

9. Final Thoughts

The Cleveland.com article paints a vivid picture of an inclusive, city‑wide celebration of fandom. It balances practical details—submission guidelines, deadlines, and judging criteria—with a heartfelt narrative about the role of sports in Cleveland’s identity. By linking to official documents, fan testimonials, and sponsor pages, the piece ensures that readers can explore every facet of the contest.

For anyone passionate about Cleveland sports, the “Best Fan” Awards present a unique platform to showcase devotion, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and potentially win impressive prizes. Whether you’re a lifelong Browns supporter, a Cavs cheerleader, or a Guardians enthusiast, the contest is an opportunity to have your fan spirit recognized on a city‑wide stage.