Liminality Creation Strategies at Supplemental Events

Abstract

The celebratory nature that some events generate creates a liminoid space through which participants can obtain social benefits. This paper examines Chalip’s five liminality strategies in the context of supplemental events, which are events run in conjunction with major sporting events. The discussion is framed within the context of two supplemental events aligned to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, the Fan Zone and the Trophy Tour. Using 152 short interviews with attendees, the study found some evidence of the presence of Chalip’s strategies at these events and that these lead to social benefits. However, the level of liminality and communitas created was minimal, due to the open access nature of the event spaces and also because ‘live’ World Cup matches were not broadcasted akin to typical ‘live sites’. The study contributes to understanding in relation to liminality strategies in the context of supplemental events.