31% of Fantasy Football Fans Would Let AI Run Their Team

Two-thirds already use AI, and their biggest worry is not cheating but a level playing field, echoing workplace adoption challenges

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Qlik^®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), has found that more than two-thirds of fantasy football fans are already using artificial intelligence to make decisions for their teams, and nearly a third would hand over full control. A new survey commissioned by the company reveals behaviors and attitudes that offer a surprising mirror to how people adopt and trust AI in the workplace.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. fantasy football players shows that the game has become a proving ground for how people use AI to make high-stakes decisions, balance trust with oversight, and adapt to new competitive realities.

Key findings include:

• High trust in AI decision-making
  Seventy-two percent of fans say they trust AI to help guide fantasy football decisions, and 31 percent would allow it to manage their team completely. Among those aged 35 to 44, the figure rises to 45 percent.
• Parity tops cheating as a concern
  While only 13 percent of fans think AI in fantasy football constitutes cheating, 44 percent worry it will create a level playing field and erase competitive advantages. This mirrors business contexts where equal access to AI shifts the edge from simply having the technology to having the best data and using it most effectively in decision-making.
• Fantasy management at work is common
  More than half of respondents (52 percent) admit to managing their fantasy teams always or often during work hours. Forty-two percent say they are more comfortable using AI at work than in their fantasy league, challenging the assumption that new technology is adopted first in personal life.
• Fans value AI for pragmatic, repeatable tasks
  Weekly start/sit decisions (20 percent), in-draft moves (19 percent), draft prep (18 percent), and trade evaluations (16 percent) top the list of ways AI is used. Only 9 percent use it for creative purposes like trash talk or team names, underscoring that high-value, repeatable decisions are where AI delivers the most benefit.
• Generational differences in adoption
  Younger and mid-career players lead on trust and willingness to hand over control, while older fans are more cautious. Only 12 percent of those aged 55 and over would let AI run their team, compared to nearly half of 35 to 44-year-olds.

“Fantasy football may be a game, but it is also a low-risk, high-interest environment where people reveal how they will engage with AI in more serious contexts,” said Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. “When you see people trusting AI with their lineups, worrying about parity over cheating, and using it for the same kinds of repeatable decisions that drive value in business, you understand how closely the lessons carry over to the workplace. In both arenas, the winners aren’t defined by access to AI, but by the ability to feed it the right data, interpret the insights, and act faster and smarter than the competition.”

For those looking to get more strategic, Qlik has created an interactive fantasy analytics tool that lets players customize projections, analyze average draft positions, and review strength of schedule to gain an edge. Explore it here.

Methodology

Research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,000 American consumers aged 18+ who actively participate in Fantasy Football. The data was collected between August 1 and August 6, 2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

About Qlik

Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio provides advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML, data integration, and analytics. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive.

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