Abstarct: The present study aimed to examine the effect of team identification on the attendance intention of sports fans, with pre-season optimism as a moderating variable. The research employed a descxriptive, survey-baxsed design conducted in a field and cross-sectional manner. The statistical population consisted of all handball fans in the city of Sabzevar. To determine the sample size, a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 10 times the number of questionnaire items (14 items) was considered (Kline, 2000). However, to enhance the validity of the study and account for potential non-responses, 310 questionnaires were distributed, and after removing incomplete responses, 300 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. Convenience sampling was used to select participants. Data were collected using three standardized questionnaires: Team Identity (James et al., 2019), Attendance Intention (Kim et al., 2011), and Pre-Season Optimism (Snyder, 2002). The validity of the instruments was confirmed through face, content, convergent, and discriminant validity, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability. Data analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach, utilizing SPSS and Smart-PLS software. The findings indicated that team identity had a significant positive effect on fans’ attendance intention (β = 0.583, p < 0.05). Additionally, the moderating effect of pre-season optimism on the relationship between team identity and attendance intention was not significant (β = -0.114), suggesting that pre-season optimism does not influence this relationship. These results highlight the critical role of strengthening team identity as a primary motivational factor for fan attendance and indicate that focusing solely on fostering pre-season optimism cannot substitute for a strong team identity.