In 2015 we had great fun during the Rugby World Cup in predicting scores and attempting to learn lessons from the rugby field. I like sport as it gives us so many things that apply to the real world from exercise to being an avenue to let down steam. It can create camaraderie between total strangers and allow diverse people to mix and share commonalities.
There are even academic experiments that have been done on football (soccer) supporters and in group identity vs out group identity. You can read the results of this study in the book: The New Psychology of Leadership: Identity, Influence and Power. In short, people are more willing to help total strangers if they share something in common. (e.g. Support the same football team)