s as simple as this: fan culture will forever remain the cornerstone of football. From all corners of the globe, supporters turn up week-in, week-out to support a handful of players – and what’s best, they all have the same favourable outcome.
Some are less intimidating, of course, but for the most part, the supporters can make the difference between a win, a draw and a loss. The strength of the clichéd 12th man cannot be overstated, especially on the Champions League stage when it’s make or break.
From the Anfield faithful to supporters of Eintracht Frankfurt, AEK Athens and Partizan Belgrade, AI has named and ranked – in order from 20th to 1st – the best, and perhaps most ferocious, fans across all sides across the continent.
20 Athletic Club, Spain
Stadium: Estadio de San Mames
What ChatGPT said: “Unique philosophy, loyal fanbase. San Mamés is a fortress, filled with Basque pride.”
From their long line of managers to producing a fiery atmosphere, sides from the Basque Country have their own unique way of doing things: and that’s encapsulated perfectly by the noise and atmosphere produced by Athletic Club‘s Estadio de San Mames on matchdays.
It’s a fantastically unique club that boasts a feeling for all, regardless of someone’s characteristics. But don’t let that homely feeling cloud over the noise they are able to generate. Home and away, the objective remains the same: provide an atmosphere for the players to thrive off of.
19 Atalanta, Italy
Stadium: Gewiss Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Small city, huge support. Loud, proud, and very involved ultras.”
Despite being situated in the small city of Bergamo, Italy, it would be remiss to disregard how well-supported Atalanta are. The stands are vibrant, packed to the brim with the Curva Sud. From flags to chants, they will do anything in their power to unbalance their opposition.
They’re almost like an overwhelming force of sorts, one that can change the complexity of a game with one bellowing roar of support. Granted, as mentioned, they may be small, but they flock like a mighty army, making them ever-so difficult to match in terms of their ferocity.
18 Olympique Lyonnais, France
Stadium: Groupama Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Strong fan base, especially during good European runs.”
Although French outfit Olympique Lyonnais are no longer the European behemoth of yesteryear, you’d be forgiven for thinking they are due to how boisterous their fans can be. The unparalleled nature of the intensity of the club’s fanbase is largely driven by the French side’s ultras, who have flown the flag high over the years.
Their unwavering support does not go unnoticed – and the pre-existing relationship between the club and fans continues to grow as they look to add to their success year after year. And any sort of silverware, no matter how big or small, just fuels the ruthlessness of their goosebump-inducing support.
17 Real Betis, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Benito Villamarin
What ChatGPT said: “Overshadowed by Sevilla but their fans are fiercely loyal and spirited.”
When in full flow, there are very few atmospheres in Europe that can match that of Real Betis – who, as ChatGPT described, are often overshadowed by Sevilla. Despite their differences, the clubs have a mutual respect for one another.
Not for their style of play, of course, but for one another’s raucous support. Rarely at the summit of Spain’s top flight, the club and its fans often rely on European nights to highlight their strident ambience. The sky is the limit for a club the stature of Real Betis.
16 St. Pauli, Germany
Stadium: Millerntor-Stadion
What ChatGPT said: “Alternative, anti-establishment vibe. Cult-like following, socially driven fandom.”
St. Pauli, albeit new to the Bundesliga, brings a different sense of what it means to be a football club. Its ‘socially driven fandom’, as described by ChatGPT, provides the supporters with a sense of identity that bigger clubs tend to lose amid their success.
But not St Pauli, who are based in Hamburg. And what’s best is that their following, both home and away, continues to grow tenfold as they become more well-known within the sphere of the beautiful game. It’s only a matter of time before they become a household name for their atmospheric nature.
15 Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
Stadium: Deutsche Bank Park
What ChatGPT said: “Massive fan support in Bundesliga and Europe. Impressive away showings—like in Barcelona 2022.”
What is most impressive about Eintracht Frankfurt’s following is the semblance of noise, irrespective of whether it’s a home or away fixture. Fans tend to turn up in their thousands to watch Die Adler perform on the biggest stage – and, irrespective of the result, they are always loud and proud.
Always on hand to give the German side an edge, their support is incredibly touching as it is ferocious. In fact, their bellows from the stands could strike fear into the deadliest of players. It’s daunting. It’s unforgivable. It’s what makes the German top flight side so great.
14 Besiktas, Turkey
Stadium: Besiktas Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Vodafone Park’s atmosphere is chaos, in a good way. Loudest crowd ever recorded at a football match (2017 vs Liverpool).”
Even when Besiktas are not performing to the best of their ability on the pitch, all players need to do is take a brief moment to look around and soak up the support – the supporters, to put it truthfully, never stop and that has only been enhanced since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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In fact, before the Norwegian’s arrival, Timo Werner once requested to be substituted as he couldn’t handle the ear-splitting noise. There are very few fanbases that can match the beauty of Besiktas’, let alone force an opposing player off the field of play.
13 Lazio, Italy
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
What ChatGPT said: “Curva Nord brings flares, banners, and songs, especially in derbies.”
Striking the perfect blend of colourful and noisy on matchday, Lazio embody the phrase ‘through thick and thin’. It’s not always easy being overshadowed by the likes of AS Roma, who share the Stadio Olimpico with their city rivals, but the Biancocelesti have remained strong throughout.
Always there or thereabouts at the summit of Italy’s top flight, the Rome-based outfit can certainly hold their heads high despite their lack of silverware over the years – and that can be attributed to the never-ending support: from noise to tifos.
12 AEK Athens, Greece
Stadium: Agia Sophia Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Known for passionate, choreographed displays. Rivalry games bring out unreal energy.”
Cacophony personified; the Greece outfit’s fans are like no other. From a domestic standpoint, they often stand tall at the top of the standings – and, as such, their support is expected to be the very best. But they shine the brightest on those dramatic nights in Europe.
Whether it’s the Champions League or the Europa Conference League, you can always bank on AEK Athens’ fanbase being the loudest and proudest in any stadium around the continent. Particularly against the likes of Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, the deliberate sounds can rattle through Greece.
11 Partizan Belgrade, Serbia
Stadium: Partizan Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Grobari (ultras) are wild—non-stop support and derby energy.”
As fervent as supporters come, Partizan Belgrade are one of Serbian football’s leading lights, and they have also made a name for themselves in the European football echo chamber – and their fans are to thank for having such a feared status on the continent.
Some may call it overzealous thanks to everything they manage to muster on matchday – but it’s always conducted with decency and the club’s image in mind. From huge tifo displays to flares that emit a cloud of smoke across the pitch, they certainly know how to stamp their authority from the stands.
10 Rangers, Scotland
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Loyal and massive following. Ibrox on a big night is up there with the best.”
A must-visit for all the groundhoppers out there, Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium has become renowned in British football circles for being as intimidating as they come – and despite being in a two-horse race with Celtic on the pitch, that is often the case around the ground too.
Constantly attempting to out-sing whichever away fanbase dare to dream inside their stadium (which can fit just over 50,000 fans inside), the Ibrox faithful are a one-of-a-kind collection of football-obsessed individuals who live and breathe what it means to be football fans.
9 Leeds United, England
Stadium: Elland Road
What ChatGPT said: “Intense, die-hard fanbase—support stayed strong even during their lower-league years.”
In recent years, things haven’t gone so swimmingly for English outfit Leeds United – but, whatever the weather, the Elland Road faithful have been there, week-in, week-out, singing from the terraces and making as much noise as humanly possible.
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Hoping to regain their status as Premier League material, the Yorkshire-based side would give any team in England a run for their money when it comes to comparing how loyal their fans are: from top to bottom and in all corners of the country, irrespective of what division they are plying their trade in.
8 Liverpool, England
Stadium: Anfield
What ChatGPT said: “You’ll Never Walk Alone is a spine-tingler. Strongest European away support in England.”
Liverpool have always been one of the biggest clubs in the country – and it, therefore, comes as little surprise to see thousands of fans turn up in their droves when they turn out to recreate a nightmarish atmosphere.
Playing at Anfield is as terrifying as it gets – and their very own rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, as ChatGPT suggests, is enough to get the hairs standing on the back of your neck. Their ground is recognised as one of the greatest in Premier League history and it’s fitting for a fanbase of such ferocity.
7 Fenerbahce, Turkey
Stadium: Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Massive Istanbul-based support base. Loud, proud, and deeply emotional connection to the club.”
The presence of Fenerbahce supporters filling up stadiums is, in isolation, nothing short of intimidating. One of Turkey’s well-supported clubs, their ultra-group called Fenerbahceliler are regarded as one of the most passionate in world football.
Part of the furniture at the Turkish club, they are well-rehearsed in creating a relentless atmosphere whenever they take to the field – and that’s the case whether they play on home soil or at an away stomping ground. Especially with Jose Mourinho at the helm, what’s not to scream and shout about?
6 Napoli, Italy
Stadium: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Naples breathes football. Diego Maradona is a deity here. Passionate to the core—home and away.”
There is one thing the Napoli fans love more than the beautiful game itself: and that’s Diego Maradona, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Serie A history. The king of kings in their eyes, the Argentine is at the centre of their 54,726-seater venue.
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Combining blue and white, the seats are seldom left unseated – and the fans are on another level. And it’s safe to say they’ve been rewarded over the years with a Scudetto in 2022/23, taking their tally to three. Whatever the weather, they’ll always be there, willing to scream at the top of their lungs.
5 Marseille, France
Stadium: Stade Velodrome
What ChatGPT said: “Velodrome atmosphere is intense, especially in big matches. OM fans are known for being loyal through thick and thin.”
Its beautiful and sleek outward appearance aside, the ear-piercing racket that Marseille supporters are prepared to make when Les Phoceens step foot onto the pitch is, sometimes, what can be the difference between winning and losing.
It’s, of course, not as simple as black and white – but there are few teams in Europe that can generate such an atmosphere similar to Marseille. Known to be loyal to the core, the fact they play inside an unforgettable arena certainly helps – but regardless, what’s not to love about the fans?
4 Red Star Belgrade, Serbia
Stadium: Rajko Mitic Stadium
What ChatGPT said: “Delije (ultras) are legendary for their intensity. Pyrotechnics, huge displays, and intimidating noise.”
Even the most casual football fan would be wowed by stepping inside Red Star Belgrade’s cauldron, the Rajko Mitic Stadium. Serbian fans are renowned for their ferocity and Red Star Belgrade’s collection of die-hard supporters are central to that notion.
From non-stop noise to their ability to light up the stands in a mist of red flares. The fact is, when the Rajko Mitic Stadium faithful are in full voice, it’s easy for opposing players to get flustered – and, of course, that will often work in the favour of the Serbian outfit.
3 Galatasaray, Turkey
Stadium: Turk Telekom Arena (RAMS Park)
What ChatGPT said: “Welcome to Hell banners say it all. Loud, fiery, and relentless support at Türk Telekom Arena.”
Akin to an upbeat carnival, what with the tangible showings of support and barrage of noise from start to finish, Galatasaray’s atmosphere inside the RAMS Park burns hotter than the wildest of Turkish summers. It’s more than just watching football: it’s an experience.
The furious undertones of the Galatasaray fanbase are at the peak of its powers when Fenerbahce come to town – or vice versa. Fiercely spirited when their team relies on them to up the ante, the fans are simply part of the furniture at RAMS Park. And the club, from players to staff alike, wouldn’t have it any other way.
2 Celtic, Scotland
Stadium: Celtic Park
What ChatGPT said: “Celtic Park on a European night? Electric. Unmatched passion, known for warm welcomes even to opponents.”
Whether it’s a dead-rubber or an encounter deep into the latter stages of a European competition, you can bet your bottom dollar that Celtic Park will be bouncing from minute one until the end. Even Toni Kroos, who has played in an array of stadiums, recognised the atmosphere as he suggested that it felt as if Celtic‘s 60,000-seater was going to collapse. It’s that crazy!
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While Celtic‘s football itself is not always of the highest calibre, one thing that never wavers is the undying support – and they’ve received their recognition, as evidenced above, over the years as a result.
1 Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
What ChatGPT said: “Famous for: Yellow Wall (Südtribüne), choreos, constant singing. Signal Iduna Park is a bucket-list stadium for atmosphere.”
What more needs to be said? The Yellow Wall is potentially the best place to watch football – just ask Jamie Carragher, who showered the atmosphere with praise last season. Waving flags, pyrotechnics and bellowing before, during and after a game – the Signal Iduna Park loyal just know how to do fan culture correctly.
And that’s all with being Germany’s second-most illustrious club. Bayern Munich take the cake in that regard, but when it comes down to delving into their respective atmospheres, there is simply no comparison. Borussia Dortmund fans know how to put on a show.
