Tarps Off
Tarps Off is a viral trend where spectators at sporting events remove their shirts and wave or twirl them overhead like rally towels to support their team. It has been described as "guys being dudes" and a way to connect with other fans.[1]
Origin and impact
[edit]In association football, it is common that supporters' groups remove their shirts in moments of celebration or as part of their chants.[2][3] One of the earliest instances of fans removing their shirts and using them as towels during games came in the 1990's from supporters of Newcastle United F.C.[4], a survey conducted in 2015 revealed that Newcastle fans are more likely to go shirtless, even in adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow.[5]
In college football, the trend began on October 11, 2025, during an Oklahoma State Cowboys game at Boone Pickens Stadium, which the Cowboys were losing to the Houston Cougars.[6] A fan, Trent Eaton, accepted a dare for $10 from his sister to go to Section 231, which was empty, take off his shirt, and wave it over his head.[7] As the game progressed, hundreds of fans joined Eaton in waving their shirts over their heads. Video clips went viral on social media and the trend continued at Oklahoma State in following weeks and spread to other universities during the college football season, starting with teams that were struggling against their competition. Oklahoma State dubbed the section "2-No-Shirty-1".[7][8]
The trend grew during the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, starting with the Colorado Rockies game on April 8.[9][10] The club baseball team of Stephen F. Austin State University, who were competing in St. Louis, attended a St. Louis Cardinals game on May 15 and engaged in the trend.[11] The Cardinals rallied to defeat the Kansas City Royals in a walk-off. Cardinals' manager Oliver Marmol noticed the fans, and bought tickets for the team to attend the following day's game and invited the fans into their team's clubhouse. The Cardinals have since dedicated a section in the right field bleachers at Busch Stadium as a "dedicated high-energy fan section".[12][13][14] It spread to other MLB teams and the 2026 Men's College World Series.[15] Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League credited the trend with helping energize them during their comeback in Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.[16][17][18]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ White, Noah (August 5, 2026). "The last holdouts of MLB's 'tarps off' trend are getting lonely (and sunburned)". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Brazil row over topless fan ban in Maracana stadium". BBC News. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
- ↑ Salama, Jordan (2022-12-20). "Opinion: Argentina's viral World Cup joy brought me closer to home". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
- ↑ White, Jim (June 24, 2021). "What is it about English football that makes middle-aged men want to rip off their shirts?". Retrieved September 3, 2026.
- ↑ Thomas-Mason, Lee (January 21, 2015). "Official: Newcastle United fans are the best at braving the cold". www.mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
- ↑ Williams, Justin (October 12, 2025). "How a section of shirtless fans took over an Oklahoma State game: 'I don't care, I'll go do it'" – via NYTimes.com.
- 1 2 Mendoza, Jordan. "The bet that has college football taken over by bare chested fans waving shirts". USA TODAY.
- ↑ Feldscher, Kyle (November 5, 2025). "Here's why college football fans around the country are taking their shirts off on Saturdays | CNN".
- ↑ Namnoum, Rob (July 8, 2026). "At Coors Field "It's tarps off shirts off"".
- ↑ Lacques, Gabe. "Tarps off: How the shirtless trend came to MLB, and what's next for the cheap seats". USA TODAY.
- ↑ "Shirtless fans cheer at MLB stadiums as "Tarps Off" trend sweeps baseball world". NPR. Associated Press. May 20, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ "This new trend is taking over ballparks, but why?". MLB.com.
- ↑ "FLASH SALE: Marmol buys out RF tickets, brings college players into clubhouse". MLB.com.
- ↑ Preciado, Collin (July 30, 2026). "The Cardinals' Tarps Off section: reviewed!".
- ↑ Sklar, Sam. "Why are 'tarps off' at College World Series? Explaining shirtless Ole Miss, Troy fans". The Clarion-Ledger.
- ↑ Murphy, Brian (June 5, 2026). "Tarps off: How a bunch of shirtless fans helped the Hurricanes win Game 2". WRAL.com.
- ↑ Wardwell, Faith (June 11, 2026). "The 'tarps off' craze arrives in NC: Shirtless Canes fans have skin in the game". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ Gentille, Sean (June 7, 2026). "How 'Tarps Off' changed the Hurricanes' Game 2 fortunes — and maybe the Cup Final" – via NYTimes.com.