Football ultras are a huge part of football fan culture, particularly overseas. They are the lifeblood of a football club. This is particularly true for clubs that boast a massive following.
However, there have been some controversies regarding football ultras, which include an inclination towards politics and organised gangs.
For all the key information on football ultras, including the best groups in the world, our guide below has you covered.
What are football ultras?
The term ‘football ultras' refers to a group of fans who are the most vocal and passionate within a wider fanbase. The term originated in Italy but is now used worldwide to describe fans who are renowned for generating the best stadium atmospheres.
Unfortunately, the term ultras is also associated with fans who like to get involved in violence against rival fans. Ultra groups in certain countries have also been embroiled in racist incidents where chants and demonstrations against certain players have been orchestrated.
This has helped to create a stigma around ultras in general, where they are now largely seen as groups to be feared rather than respected.
However, it is important to note that not all ultras engage in such negative behaviours. Many groups remain dedicated to supporting their teams with passion and creativity, focusing on colour, chants, and unity rather than hostility.
Best football ultras in the world
There are countless football ultra groups worldwide, but three of the most notable ones are as follows.
St Pauli – Ultra Sankt Pauli
St. Pauli are far from the biggest football club in the world. However, they have gained respect from the football world thanks to their fan culture.
Unlike many ultra groups in the world, Ultra Sankt Pauli sits on the left wing of the political spectrum and often clashes with far-right groups in the football world.
Their displays before home matches are also impressive and are a significant reason subgroups have emerged worldwide.
Ultra Sankt Pauli is committed to standing against racism, sexism, homophobia, and fascism. They actively promote social activism and embrace progressive values.
In the early 1980s, the club became the first German team to ban right-wing displays and tifos in their stadium, a legacy that Ultra Sankt Pauli continues to uphold today.
Ultra Sankt Pauli primarily attracts anti-fascists, squatters, dock workers, bikers, and other politically active groups across Europe that oppose right-wing politics. Despite modest achievements on the field, the St. Pauli ultras continually promote the club through their unwavering support.
The identity that the ultras provide has helped preserve the club's traditions while fostering strong unity between the club and its fans.
Galatasaray – ultrAslan
Galatasaray have one of the largest ultra groups in the world with an estimated 100,000 members.
While parts of the group are renowned for violence, large sections are purely about creating phenomenal displays inside RAMS Park and generating mindblowing atmospheres.
They are known for carrying flares and pyrotechnics with them wherever they go, and they are responsible for the blanket ban on such items in Turkish football, thanks to an incident in 2001 in a match against Fenerbahce.
FC Copenhagen – Sektion 12
FC Copenhagen's Ultra group may not have the history of other groups across Europe, but they are certainly one of the best when it comes to tifos, banners and displays.
One of their most impressive displays was in a match against Manchester United in the 2023 Champions League. Sektion 12, who sit behind one of the goals at the club's home stadium, unveiled a colourful and intimidating tifo that read ‘Your Theatre of Nightmares'.
S.S. Lazio – Irriducibili
Lazio's ultra group, known as Irriducibili, is considered one of the most violent football supporter groups in the world. Their activities are in stark contrast to those of more popular ultras, such as St. Pauli.
You will often see the Irriducibili waving banners in support of Nazi and controversial figures such as the Serbian war criminal, Arkan. The height of the Irriducibili's Nazi affiliation is most apparent when they play Roma in the Derby Della Capitale.
Due to the controversies surrounding their existence and purpose, Irriducibili have become one of the most hated football ultras in the world.
Red Star Belgrade – Delije
Serbian football is no stranger to football Ultras and Delije, a supporter group behind Red Star Belgrade, is a typical example. When loosely translated, Delije means studs, braves or heroes.
Although there have been no recent incidents involving Red Star Belgrade's supporters, known as Delije, the group's most troubling moment dates back to 1990 when they clashed with Dinamo Zagreb.
The violent confrontation occurred during a period of significant political tension in the region, and since then, the match has been referred to as a catalyst that ignited a war.
Dinamo Zagreb – Bad Blue Boys
The Bad Blue Boys are the most famous ultras group of Dinamo Zagreb, founded in 1986 and named after the film Bad Boys.
They are known for their fierce loyalty and occupy the north stand of Stadion Maksimir. They are regarded as one of the most passionate fan groups in Europe.
The BBB are recognised for their loud support, pyrotechnics, and choreographed displays, often creating intimidating atmospheres for visiting teams.
However, their reputation is also marred by controversy, as they have been linked to violent clashes, protests against club management, and political activism. Despite this, they remain a symbol of Dinamo Zagreb’s identity.
Hajduk Split – Torcida Split
Torcida Split are the ultras group of Hajduk Split, and is one of the oldest organised supporter groups in Europe, founded in 1950.
Inspired by Brazilian fans at the World Cup, they are famous for their passionate chants, striking choreographies, and colourful pyrotechnics at Stadion Poljud.
Torcida members see themselves as the heartbeat of Hajduk, fiercely protecting the club’s traditions and identity. While their loyalty is unquestionable, they have also been associated with violent clashes, particularly in derbies against Dinamo Zagreb’s Bad Blue Boys.
Despite controversies, Torcida Split remain an iconic symbol of Croatian football culture and fan power.
Football ultras, banners and displays
See below for some of the best ultra displays in recent years.
FC Copenhagen – Theatre of Nightmares
FC Copenhagen supporters with a message for Manchester United…
…Your theater of nightmares. #FCK #COPMUN pic.twitter.com/Fevok5NeIW
— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) November 8, 2023
Borussia Dortmund – UEFA Mafia
??? Borussia Dortmund fans with huge tifo at home to Celtic tonight, saying “UEFA MAFIA”! ??
The text banner says “You don’t care about the sport – all you care about is money!” pic.twitter.com/rho8GDyUvm
— ?????? ????? ???????? (@thecasualultra) October 1, 2024
PSG vs AC Milan
last time psg played milan their tifo was jean-claude belmondo, part of the founding group of psg, aiming a gun at a milan themed devil.
tonight milan responded with neo from the matrix dodging the bullets.
end result: milan 2-1 psg, genius from the curva sud ?⚫️ pic.twitter.com/9XCSmNXaVQ
— christian (@caquino__) November 7, 2023
Are there English ultras?
Ultra groups are far less prominent in England for several reasons, with the main one being health and safety inside football stadiums in the United Kingdom.
Getting flares and large banners into football stadiums in the UK is prohibited, which makes it difficult for fans to create an ‘ultra' style atmosphere.
Additionally, unveiling large banners and tifos needs approval from clubs in England, which often means ideas are shut down if they are in any way controversial.
Of course, hooliganism does exist in English football, which is similar to ultra culture from the fighting and violence perspective.
While hooliganism was more prominent in the 1970s and 1980s, there are still groups associated with most clubs in England.
