Football isn’t just about what happens for 90 minutes on the pitch. For many supporters, what happens in the stands can be just as important, with fans desperate to make their voices heard and give their team that extra push. There is nothing quite like a packed home ground, with thousands of supporters singing, shouting and doing everything they can to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the opposition.

Home advantage isn’t simply about knowing the pitch or avoiding a long journey. A raucous crowd can lift players when they need it most, turn the pressure up on visiting teams and make a stadium feel like a fortress. Some fanbases have made a real art of it, creating atmospheres that become part of the identity of the club itself.

Naturally, every set of supporters will argue that their home crowd is the loudest and most passionate around. But when it comes to the Premier League, which clubs really have the home support to back up those claims? We’ve put that question AI, which has come back with some interesting results.

20

Bournemouth

REUTERS/Craig Brough

What AI said: “Very small capacity (just over 11,000) severely limits the volume and intensity, making it consistently ranked the quietest home in the Premier League.”

Bournemouth’s biggest limitation is that they not only have the smallest stadium in the division, but their rapid rise from League Two to the Premier League has also left their local fanbase playing catch-up with a success story that has felt like it happened overnight.

19

Fulham

Photo courtesy of Reuters.

What AI said: “Charming riverside ground with a pleasant atmosphere, but generally one of the quieter and least intimidating in the league.”

Described in one word by AI as ‘posh’, Fulham’s Craven Cottage can often be a little on the quieter side due to fans treating it as a sport you watch rather than cheer at. A more sterile atmosphere can be a positive, though, and certainly means there are fewer incidents of violence or other unwanted negatives.

18

Hull City

Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

What AI said: “Modern bowl design often struggles to generate consistent noise; can be good when full and winning, but frequently ranks lower for atmosphere.”

Regionally, Hull is better known for its rugby than it is football. And while the Tigers’ fanbase will need to have its voice heard if they are to exceed expectations and survive relegation after winning last season’s Championship playoffs, the MKM stadium’s openness means sound travels outside of the venue far too easily.

17

Brentford

Photo courtesy of Reuters.

What AI said: “Compact and committed core of fans create a lively environment for its size, though it lacks scale.”

Brentford fan’s rendition of ‘Hey Jude’ by the Beatles before every home match is a welcome earworm to the Premier League, but there’s no denying that they still operate in the huge shadows of other London clubs. Loyalty isn’t an issue, and their friendliness make them among the best overall, but a lack of original chants and volume sees them suffer in this ranking.

16

Brighton & Hove Albion

REUTERS/David Klein

What AI said: “Modern and well-backed, but the bowl design and relatively polite crowd usually produce a more restrained feel.”

AI describes Brighton’s fanbase as ‘polite’ and ‘restrained’, almost as though the Seagulls are happy with where they are now, regularly fighting for European qualification, churning out hidden gems using their enviable scouting system, operating far from the financial struggles they were previously engulfed in just over a decade ago. Perhaps there’s no reason to be loud when Fabian Hurzeler’s side are already consistently getting the job done.

15

Ipswich Town

Action Images/John Sibley

What AI said: “Loyal, positive support that fills the ground and generates a solid, lively atmosphere, especially after recent success under McKenna.”

Portman Road is a rickety, close-to-the-pitch traditional English football ground, and thus has all the ingredients to generate an incredible atmosphere. But AI suggests it ranks fairly lowly compared to the rest of the topflight.

14

Coventry City

What AI said: “Rapidly improved atmosphere driven by the “Singers’ Corner” and strong attendances after their long-awaited return; passionate and growing.”

Coventry is one of the biggest one-club cities in the UK. Also thanks to a dedicated signing section, the Sky Blue fans can make one hell of a racket. The only thing holding them back from ranking higher is the Ricoh Arena – for the majority of their history, the club hasn’t even owned their stadium, and their identity is lost a bit with that.

13

Chelsea

REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

What AI said: “Strong on big days from the Matthew Harding End, but often criticised for being inconsistent and less intimidating.”

Low roofs on either side of Stamford Bridge make it easy for Chelsea to generate a wall of noise during more important matches, but they have earnt a reputation as being nowhere near as good as some of their rivals, with their biggest fault lying within the consistency of rowdy occasions.

12

Manchester City

What AI said: “Better than the old reputation, especially on European nights, but still mid-table for consistent week-to-week intensity.”

Everyone is aware of the fact Manchester City lost 8-1 to Middlesbrough in 2008, before Sheikh Mansour’s takeover completely changed how the Cityzens were perceived. That sudden, overnight success, saw an influx of touristic fans – especially from 2016 onwards, with people choosing to love the club for Pep Guardiola’s playing style. They still get older, local fans, but newbies flatten the atmosphere after becoming so used to winning.

11

Tottenham

Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

What AI said: “Designed for volume with the huge single-tier South Stand; excellent when the crowd is fully into it.”

Tottenham’s futuristic new stadium, which cost them £1 billion, was built with atmosphere in mind. Unlike soulless bowls of the early 2000s, White Hart Lane’s direct replacement comes with steep stands and acoustics, but back-to-back seasons with close shaves with relegation mean there hasn’t been too much to shout about in N17 – though huge spending this summer could soon change that.