Maggie Rogers Calls It a “Big Sports Summer”

Maggie Rogers, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, spent the past year traveling to a string of major sporting events and describing the experience as her “big sports summer.” She attended the winter Olympics in Milan, followed by multiple New York Knicks games that culminated in the team’s championship parade. Her itinerary also included a trip to the United Kingdom for Wimbledon, attendance at World Cup soccer matches, and plans to be at the US Open in September. Throughout, Rogers emphasized that she was there not as a nationalist but as a fan rooting for athletes pursuing extraordinary achievements.

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Rogers earned a Master of Religion and Public Life from Harvard Divinity School in 2022, where she examined the spirituality of public gatherings. Although her academic work focused on live music, she has drawn parallels between the collective euphoria of concerts and the communal devotion she observes in sports crowds. With more than a decade in the public eye as a recording artist, she says the season has allowed her to explore a sense of awe that lies outside her usual creative routine while she works on new music.

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• Winter Olympics (Milan) – Rogers arrived while the weather was still cold, noting the shift from nationalistic rooting to admiration of individual athletes.

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• Knicks Games & Championship Parade – She spent several nights courtside as the New York team advanced, culminating in a citywide celebration after the championship win.

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• Wimbledon (U.K.) – A brief trip to watch tennis added a traditional summer sport to her itinerary.

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• World Cup Soccer – Rogers attended multiple matches, describing the global atmosphere as a unifying force.

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• US Open (September) – She plans to attend the tennis tournament, continuing the pattern of integrating sport into her personal calendar.

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Rogers argues that the current global climate—marked by wars, inflation, and rapid technological change—has left many feeling disconnected. She views sports as a “common language” that offers hope, optimism, and a sense of belonging. The collective cheering, she says, mirrors the spiritual devotion she studied academically, allowing participants to feel part of something larger than themselves. Rogers also notes that the experience of being a fan provides a mental break from the technical aspects of her own performances, letting her experience wonder and community without the pressure of artistic analysis.

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Speaking from an artistic retreat in Greece, Rogers described the moment as “bleak, terrifying, existential and difficult,” underscoring why she seeks connection through music and sport. Rogers also linked her fandom to broader philanthropic interests, mentioning long-standing relationships with nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood, Greenpeace, and Headcount. She frames her involvement as part of a holistic view of wellbeing that encompasses body, mind, and spirit.

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While reflecting on her summer of sports, Rogers is developing a new record at the Greek retreat. She indicates that the insights gained from attending games and observing fan culture will inform the thematic and emotional direction of her upcoming work.

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