Ultras make matchdays memorable with intense displays like flares & tifos.
Notable ultra groups include Legia Warsaw, Red Star Belgrade, & AC Milan.
Ultras show unwavering support & passion for their clubs and amplify the fan experience.
When walking into a football stadium, all the five senses come alive. Your touch, taste and smell become elevated when you’re sitting in your seat waiting for the game to kick-off. Above all, what you see and hear on a matchday are the most important.
The atmosphere can make or break a matchday. Whether a team is winning or losing, fans feel their duty is to sing and get behind the squad no matter what. Among these groups of supporters lie some of the best groups in the world, the ultras. With these, what was just a football game turns into a concert and a colourful spectacle.
The English game possesses their own form of ultras, with Crystal Palace‘s Holmesdale Fanatics being the most well-known. However, you just have to scan across a few countries to see that what the Eagles are doing in Selhurst Park is far from extraordinary. From the Polish capital of Warsaw, all the way down to the Argentinian neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, we looked at the ten best ultra groups in world football right now.
10 Fenerbahce
Turkey
A European away tie against a Turkish club is well known to be a tough encounter. The supporters in the ground make it hard for the travelling team to get comfortable, jeering and booing the players from the off. Inside the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, the ultra group Genc Fenerbahceliler make their presence known.
From huge tifos to bright red flares that emit a cloud of smoke above the pitch, Fenerbahce fans show their support in the most passionate ways. The ultras world isn’t the safest of places, and many groups turn to violence to stamp their authority. Earlier last season, Fenerbahce ultras attacked a group of travelling Manchester United fans ahead of their Europa League clash in October. These actions were fronted by the GFB Bogaz Holligans.
9 Red Star Belgrade
Serbia
As you move towards the eastern parts of Europe, the atmosphere at games tends to get more fierce. The use of flares, smoke bombs and even fireworks have become ingrained into the footballing culture of some countries, and it doesn’t look like it’s being stopped anytime soon. A group that encompasses the ‘ultra’ stereotype are Red Star Belgrade’s, Delije.
The word ‘delije’ in the Serbian language signifies a person of strength and bravery. Supporters at the Marakana create a show that leaves away fans shaking in fear, but in awe aswell. A trip across to Belgrade is one of the most highly anticipated bucket list events in the footballing world and provides memories for a lifetime.
8 River Plate
Argentina
The River Plate ultra group make themselves known as Los Borrachos del Tablon which translates in English to the drunks of the stadium, a rather fitting tag if you ask me. Being an ultra group in South America comes with an entirely different purpose. It becomes people’s job and many fans make a wage off of their commitment to certain fan groups.
Supporters at the top of the ultra tree can earn a living off the club, gaining money from merchandise, ticket sales and some even receive a percentage of transfer fees. The Argentine sport wants to keep the aggressive nature of the sport alive, with Superclasico still widely regarded as the most violent derby in world football.
7 Marseille
France
For decades, Marseille‘s die-hard group of supporters have been touted as some of Europe’s most passionate sets of fans. They have become involved in many violent encounters in their own country and overseas. Being the second-biggest city in France, Marseille fans hate not being at the top and have a fierce rivalry with fellow Ligue 1 team, Paris Saint Germain.
Their passion for the club comes from their left-wing political stance, pride of their city, and their desire for footballing success. Coming to the Velodrome is no easy task, with visitors expected to be surrounded by a deafening cry from start to finish.
Every Premier League club’s away fans have been ranked by AI.
6 Sparta Prague
Czech Republic
In the heart of Prague, a social divide spans far wider than just its community. One of the most feared rivalries in the continent sees Prague’s middle class club Slavia Prague go head-to-head against the working class of Sparta Prague.
Clashes between the clubs have been reduced since the heights of the communist regime, however violent clashes still remain common on a matchday. The ultras of Sparta Prague have since turned to right-wing politics, displaying signs at games which emit racist undertones. UEFA have fined the club on numerous occasions for their anti-semetic, anti-Islamic and anti-immigrant sentiments at games.
5 AC Milan
Italy
Sharing a stadium with your Milan rivals was always going to start the emergence of an ultra group in red and black. Known for their rich history and creative tifo displays, the Brigate Rossonere stand proudly in the Curva Sud of the San Siro.
Ever since their first piece of art in 1984, the Curva Sud has been welcomed with numerous spectacles over the years. Their most famous work came when they hit back at PSG’s gun artwork directed towards AC Milan, with the Italian fans displaying a huge tifo of Neo from the Matrix dodging bullets in the reverse fixture.
4 Galatasaray
Turkey
UltrAslan, the ultra group that follows the Turkish club Galatasaray across the continent and makes sure their home stadium is an away team’s version of hell. Despite many other groups in Europe being heavily political, UltrAslan largely remain impartial and concentrate on fighting for their club’s success.
The Galatasaray supporters were the sole reason why the Turkish government had to put a blanket ban on pyrotechnics in football. Their ultras proceeded to set off over 3,000 flares in a game against Fenerbahce back in 2012, stopping the match temporarily. UltrAslan still manage to squeeze flares past security at the gates of RAMS Park, making it one of the most deafening atmospheres in world football.
The most incredible football stadiums on the planet – ranked in order.
3 Dinamo Zagreb
Croatia
Dinamo Zagreb ultras call themselves the Bad Blue Boys (BBB) in relation to the sea of blue they create around the Maksimir Stadium in the Croatian capital. Despite their name, the BBB have a firm no-knife policy among their group, a rule that seems crazy to even think about existing.
As well as their continued support in the stands, the group have received recognition for their actions off the pitch. Following the Zagreb earthquake of 2022, the BBB helped local authorities restore the damage caused by the natural diaster along with other Croatian ultra groups. The Dinamo Zagreb ultras were also some of the first sets of individuals to come out and publicly support Ukraine in their conflict with Russia.
2 Hajduk Split
Croatia
Originating all the way back in 1950, Hajduk Split’s ultras are the oldest supporters group in Europe. Torchida Split is the name they go by, and their formation was inspired by a group of Croatian sailors who wanted to replicate the atmosphere of the 1950 Brazil World Cup in their own country.
Their longevity in the stands has given them a feared reputation across Croatia and when Hajduk Split ultras are unhappy, they make it known. In April 2024, a 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb forced fans to break through security barriers and confront their own players on the pitch. Once the police defused the situation in the stadium, the extreme Torchida faction started throwing rocks and smashing bottles on the streets.
1 Legia Warsaw
Poland
If you’re looking for a high-quality football game, the stands in Poland probably aren’t the best choice. However, supporters searching for an atmosphere that would lift them off their feet with nerves and trepidation, Legia Warsaw may have you covered. Their undeniable love for their football team goes way beyond anything else in life, it’s football or nothing.
The Legia Warsaw are the most violent group of them all, displaying controversial tifos game after game to have their imprint of authority on the modern game. Despite their political views and sheer aggressive outlook on football, the hooligans in the Polish capital are the most passionate the game has ever seen.
Arsenal are in the market for reinforcements in the summer transfer window despite lifting the Premier League title.
The Gunners won’t want to stand still after their first-place finish, looking to bring in new additions all across the team.
The North London side were recently knocked out of the Champions League final by Paris Saint-Germain, so they will be looking for reinforcements to help them go one step further in Europe.
Despite winning the Premier League, there are still some areas of Mikel Arteta’s squad that could do with being improved.
With their season now over following the Champions League final, attention for the Gunners will now turn to the summer transfer window.
Arsenal Make Forward Transfer Call
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have recently made a call to be informed on the future of Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are waiting to be informed by the Cherries about a potential price tag after the young forward enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League.
Kroupi broke the record in the Premier League towards the end of the season by scoring his 13th goal, ensuring he has the most strikes scored by a teenager in their debut campaign.
After a strong start to life in England, Kroupi is now being targeted by some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Kroupi Could be Expensive Addition for Arsenal
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
According to reports, Arsenal could make one marquee signing in the summer transfer window.
In an awful run of news, English football icon John Barnes has revealed he also has cancer. It comes in the same week that two other Liverpool legends Sir Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan also shared they had the disease.
The former winger said he was diagnosed after his kids forced him to get checked. Speaking on Times Radio, he explained that the topic can feel taboo as men believe it makes them “less than a man.”
Going into more detail, he explained that he has prostate cancer, noting:
“Men have to then bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems and say it. So it’s a good thing that that has come out.
“I’m fine. I have my PSA and everything is okay. The thing about it is that a lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man.
“But you’re not, you’re exactly the same, you’re the same person and you’re around and that’s the main thing.”
The news comes after Liverpool legend Keegan revealed his cancer diagnosis at the start of the year, while Dalglish has also revealed he is receiving treatment for cancer.
It was a brilliant season for Arsenal as they won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years. However, Mikel Arteta will look back on it with a sense of frustration after the Gunners came so close to a historical double.
Indeed, the Gunners were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, losing on penalties after the teams played out a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes. The club’s Spanish manager is not one to rest on his laurels, and it appears as though Arsenal are already working on improving in 2026/27.
The summer transfer market is the most obvious way to address any shortcomings. With that in mind, it seems Arteta and his staff will be busy in the coming months with some notable arrivals. To fund that, however, some players will have to leave.
Ben White has long been one of the most reliable players in Arteta’s team, respected by teammates and fans for regularly putting his body on the line for the club since arriving from Brighton in 2021. Sadly, that commitment has cost him at times, and he’s spent the past two seasons plagued by injuries.
Jurrien Timber has made the first-choice right-back spot his own, while Cristhian Mosquera appears to be an able alternative as well. That said, the report names Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento as a potential target this summer.
Gabriel Martinelli
One of the few players in the current team to have joined before Arteta took charge, Gabriel Martinelli arrived as a teenager in 2019 and quickly established himself as a first-team regular. While a reliable squad option, just one goal in the Premier League this season is far from ideal.
If Arsenal want to reach an even greater level, it’s little wonder they are looking at the left flank as an area to improve upon. The report suggests Marcus Rashford could be of interest ‘if the price is right’.
Leandro Trossard has proved to be worth every penny since signing from Brighton in January 2023 for just £27m. That said, he’s never quite been spectacular enough to truly make the left-wing position his own, sharing duties with Martinelli.
Now 31, it appears as though Arteta may be willing to cash in on the Belgian. If this is the case, the report names Aston Villa’s £80m-rated Morgan Rogers as an ‘admired’ option to bolster the attack. The Englishman plays more centrally at times for Villa, but has spent plenty of time on the wing across his career.
Gabriel Jesus
Finally, Gabriel Jesus looks set to leave. Although the report suggests he’d be willing to stay around and gain British citizenship, Arsenal have said the 29-year-old can leave if they offer over £18m. The Brazilian was electric when he first arrived, but a bad knee injury during the 2022 World Cup has derailed his career in north London.
The dream replacement is said to be Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. His preference is Barcelona but the Gunners may have a chance if they are willing to pay the £120m price tag, especially as Atletico don’t seem keen to sell to their La Liga rivals.
