AC Milan Ultras explained: Tifos, history and the power of Curva Sud

AC Milan ultras are more than just fans, they are a living, breathing heartbeat of the club, centered in the iconic Curva Sud of San Siro. For decades, this passionate enclave has transformed mere matches into theatrical spectacles, orchestrating a symphony of chants, banners and vibrant tifos that ripple across the stadium like waves of colour and energy.

The devotion of AC Milan ultras is legendary, blending artistry, loyalty and an unyielding sense of identity, creating an atmosphere that not only intimidates opponents but also elevates the spirit of the Rossoneri on the pitch. Every tifo tells a story, every chant resonates with history, and every gesture is a testament to a bond that transcends football.

The legacy of AC Milan ultras is deeply intertwined with evolution of Italian supporter culture. From its post-war origins to the modern era of global recognition, the Curva Sud has continually reinvented itself while preserving its raw passion and rebellious spirit. Because understanding the power of AC Milan ultras is understanding the soul of the club itself, this post takes a dive into the art, fusion and loyalty of the supporter group. Read on for details.

Rise and Fall of Fossa dei Leoni

Fossa dei Leoni was formed in 1968, and they were one of the first Ultras Groups in Italy. They gathered on Ramp 18 of Settori Popolari in the San Siro before moving to the Curva Sud in 1972.

The group featured in an Italian film in 1982 called “Eccezzziunale…veramente”, where Diego Abatantuono played the role of the Fossa dei Leoni leader.

Fossa dei Leoni disbanded in 2005 due to an incident concerning two stolen banners in the Curva Sud. Members of the Fossa dei Leoni were accused of involving DIGOS (General Investigations and Special Operations Division) to try and return a banner that members of the Juventus Ultras group, Viking, had stolen.

This was seen as improper conduct by members of Fossa and other Ultras fan groups in Italy, resulting in the group’s dissolution.

It has been speculated, however, that the dissolution of the group was a result of other issues, such as political disagreements with the other AC Milan Ultras groups and financial issues.

Curva Sud Milano – AC Milan Ultras

On 31 December 2005, the Guerrieri Ultras Curva Sud Milano (Ultras Warriors) was formed, including former members of the Fossa dei Leoni. This group is now part of the United Umbrella of Curva Sud Milano, which includes other AC Milan Ultras groups such as the Brigate Rossonere.

Brigate Rossonere have been renowned for their choreography and creative tifos since forming in 1975. One of the other famous historical AC Milan Ultras groups, Commandos Tigre, disbanded in 2016.

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Curva Sud have announced that they won’t be cheering during AC Milan’s first competitive game, and they are unclear about their actions for the rest of the campaign as well, due to the authoritarian regime. They delivered a strong message:

“Many people have written to us in recent weeks asking if the Curva Sud of recent years – passionate, colourful, with its historic banners, spectacular choreography, and relentless cheering – would be back where it belongs. Well, today, after a long, deafening silence from the club, we can give you the first answers:

• no feedback on the new banners.
• almost all old banners are banned.
• blacklist with a ban on season tickets for the 2nd blue, but with the possibility of buying tickets for each game.

“Tickets can be bought for other sections of the stadium, as well the second blue section. Yes, you read that right, for public order reasons they ban us from season tickets for the 2nd blue, but if we manage to get one of the few tickets available for the 2nd blue match by match, the public order problem magically disappears: madness!!!

“This blacklist includes not only vocalists, choreographers, drummers, and various group leaders, but also their children, wives, and many other young people with no criminal record, simply for expressing their legitimate opinions and protesting against the club at Casa Milan during peaceful, properly authorised demonstrations.

“With great regret, today, under the authoritarian regime imposed at San Siro, there isn’t even the slightest condition that allows us to cheer as we’ve been accustomed to for decades and as happens in every stadium across Italy.

“It’s a shame for the coach and the team, sacrificial victims of this decision by the club, the product of blind, unjustified, and illogical repression. Happy theatre to everyone.”

AC Milan Ultras politics

Politics regularly infiltrates football to some extent. However, AC Milan ultras have not been overly indulged in politics until recent years, often preferring to showcase their love for the beautiful game using tifos.

Most of their banners read ‘neither red nor black, only red and black', which loosely means they do not have any political association. With that, their activities always have everything to do with the AC Milan colours.

But since the rise of organised crime in Italian football, the focus on football among the Curva Nord has shifted. They currently appear to be more of a right-leaning group. Crime infiltration, which includes extortion and drug trafficking, has had a significant negative impact on the value that AC Milan ultras have always stood for.

Another form of crime within the ultras has been player and coach intimidation, consequently affecting the integrity of the game.

This year (2025), Curva Nord and Inter Milan's Curva Sud have been investigated for alleged criminal activities and ties to Italian mafia groups.  High-ranking club officials on both sides have been questioned. Investigators have also been examining the club's negligence, particularly how it may have contributed to criminal activities among the ultras.

AC Milan Ultras and the Milan derby

The Milan derby is one of the most significant football events in Italy. The intensity of the match increases when the city's biggest teams compete in cup competitions, such as the Coppa Italia. This heightened atmosphere is largely due to the enthusiastic participation of supporter groups known as ultras.

As one of the most active and well-known ultras in world football, Milan's Brigate Rossonere play a significant role in supporting the Rossoneri during crucial moments, just like Inter Milan Ultras. The Coppa Italia often sets the stage for intensified rivalries between Italy's two football giants. The 2025 Coppa Italia semi-finals marked the fifth time these clubs, which share a stadium, faced off in a semifinal clash, heightening the potential for confrontations between the ultras from both sides.

I LOVE THIS CLUB
SEMPRE AC MILAN pic.twitter.com/PUYhooGZJ4

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Famous tifos

The first tifo that was produced in the Curva Sud was in 1984. A giant red, black and white cloth covered the entire stand with the message “Come on old red and black heart.” Since then, Curva Sud Milano have continued to produce impressive visual displays.

An example of this was in 2018. Together with Ultras Warriors, Brigate Rossonere, and other sections of the Curva Sud Milano, they produced a spectacular tifo honouring 50 years since the formation of the Fossa dei Leoni.

The tifo depicted a devil with two fans on either side. Both fans are shown with tattoos of the names of notable Curva Sud members on their bodies since the formation of Fossa dei Leoni in 1968.

During this year’s Champions League campaign, AC Milan played PSG home and away in the group stage. The PSG Ultras produced a tifo at the Parc des Princes depicting the actor, Jean-Paul Belmondo, pointing a gun at a devil that represented AC Milan.

In response to this, Curva Sud Milano produced a tifo at the San Siro for the return game with Neo from the Matrix dodging bullets, a reference to the iconic scene in the film. They also revealed banners in the adjacent and opposite stands reading ‘Toujours Milan’ and ‘Always Milan’, respectively.

There are many examples of breathtaking choreography from the AC Milan Ultras over the years, solidifying themselves as one of the most famous Ultras groups in the world.

On 16 February 2010, Manchester United played AC Milan in the first leg of the Round of 16. Sir Alex Ferguson said: “The one thing that’s so amazing is that for the first 15 minutes I felt in shock, really in shock, because of the atmosphere.”

He continued: “No matter how much experience you have got, you get drawn into that cauldron of noise.”

The power and impact of Ultras groups on football matches cannot be underestimated, especially the AC Milan Ultras of the Curva Sud.