Introduction: Social capital, as a set of social relationships, trust, and shared norms, plays an important role in the development of sports. Fans, as one of the key components of the sports ecosystem, strengthen social capital through in-person and digital interactions, contributing to the growth of sports. This article, based on recent research, examines how social capital and fans impact the development of sports and offers strategies for better leveraging this capacity. Social capital refers to social relationships, mutual trust, and shared values that strengthen cooperation and solidarity within a community. In sports, this concept is shaped through interactions among fans, athletes, and sports organizations, contributing to the development of sports. Method: The present research method is descriptive and of the review study type. It involves the collection and summarization of existing studies. A review article gathers, categorizes, and represents the research background and theoretical foundations. In this study, research works related to fans, social capital, and sports development were examined. Results: Social capital in sports can be examined from three main perspectives. Social capital, especially through fans, helps develop sports in various dimensions. Conclusion: Despite the positive impacts, there are also challenges in utilizing the social capital of fans for the development of sports
