It’s that simple: football’s foundation will always be its fan culture. Every week, fans go from all over the world to cheer on a select group of players, and the best part is that they all share the same positive outcome.
Although some are obviously less threatening, most supporters have the power to decide whether a team wins, draws, or loses. It is impossible to overestimate the power of the cliched 12th man, particularly when it comes to make-or-break situations in the Champions League.
AI has identified and ranked the best, and possibly most ardent, fans from all over the continent, from the Anfield faithful to those who follow Eintracht Frankfurt, AEK Athens, and Partizan Belgrade, in order from 20th to 1st.
20Athletic Club, Spain
Stadium: Estadio de San Mames
What ChatGPT stated: “Loyal fan base, distinct philosophy. San Mamรฉs is a stronghold that exudes Basque pride.
The loudness and mood created by Athletic Club’s Estadio de San Mames on matchdays wonderfully captures the distinctive style of Basque Country teams, from their lengthy succession of managers to creating a furious environment.
It’s an incredibly distinctive club that has a sense of belonging for everyone, regardless of their personal traits. However, don’t let that cosy feeling overshadow the loudness they can produce. The goal is always the same, whether at home or away: create an environment where the players may flourish.
19Atalanta, Italy
Stadium: Gewiss Stadium
ChatGPT stated: “Very supportive, little city. Ultras that are loud, proud, and highly involved.
It would be negligent to ignore Atalanta’s strong fanbase, even though they are based in the little Italian city of Bergamo. The Curva Sud is crammed into the colourful stands. They will use everything at their disposal, including banners and slogans, to upset the equilibrium of their opposition.
They may alter the difficulty of a game with a single roar of support, making them seem almost like an overwhelming force. They may be little, as previously stated, but they flock like a powerful army, making them extremely tough to equal in terms of ferocity.
18Olympique Lyonnais, France
Stadium: Groupama Stadium
According to ChatGPT, “Strong fan base, especially during good European runs.”
Given how raucous their supporters can be, you might think that Olympique Lyonnais, a French team, is still the European powerhouse of the past. The ultras of the French team, who have raised the flag aloft over the years, are significantly responsible for the unmatched intensity of the club’s fan base.
Their steadfast support is not overlooked, and as the team strives to build on its success year after year, the already strong bond between them and their supporters only gets stronger. Furthermore, any kind of cutlery, regardless of size, only serves to highlight the brutality of their heart-stopping assistance.
17Real Betis, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Benito Villamarin
“Overshadowed by Sevilla, but their fans are fiercely loyal and spirited,” stated ChatGPT.
When playing at their best, Real Betis has one of the best atmospheres in Europe; nevertheless, as ChatGPT noted, they are frequently eclipsed by Sevilla. There is mutual respect between the clubs in spite of their differences.
Naturally, not for their playing technique, but rather for their boisterous encouragement of one another. The club and its supporters frequently rely on European evenings to emphasise its strident ambience, which is uncommon at the top of Spain’s top flight. For a team the size of Real Betis, the possibilities are endless.
16St. Pauli, Germany
Stadium: Millerntor-Stadion
“An alternative, anti-establishment vibe,” stated ChatGPT. fandom that is socially motivated and has a cult-like following.
Despite being new to the Bundesliga, St. Pauli offers a unique perspective on what it means to be a football team. According to ChatGPT, its “socially driven fandom” gives its followers a sense of identity that larger teams often lose as they become more successful.
Not Hamburg-based St Pauli, though. The best part is that as they gain recognition in the world of the beautiful game, their fan base, both at home and away, keeps growing tenfold. It won’t be long until their atmospheric qualities make them a household name.
15Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
Stadium: Deutsche Bank Park
“Very strong fan support in Europe and the Bundesliga,” stated ChatGPT. outstanding performances away from home, such as in Barcelona in 2022.
The most remarkable thing about Eintracht Frankfurt’s fan base is the amount of noise they make, whether it’s at home or away. Thousands of fans typically swarm the largest stage to see Die Adler perform, and regardless of the outcome, they are always boisterous and proud.
Their support is as fierce as it is heartfelt, always ready to provide the German side the upper hand. Their cries from the spectators may actually frighten even the most deadly athletes. It’s intimidating. It cannot be forgiven. It’s the reason the German top flight team is so outstanding.
14Besiktas, Turkey
Stadium: Besiktas Stadium
What ChatGPT stated: “The atmosphere at Vodafone Park is chaotic, but in a positive way. The loudest football game crowd ever recorded (2017 vs. Liverpool).
To put it honestly, the fans never stop, and that has only gotten better since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joined the team. Even when Besiktas isn’t playing at their best on the pitch, the players only need to take a moment to glance around and take in the support.
In fact, Timo Werner once asked to be replaced because he couldn’t stand the deafening noise before the Norwegian arrived. Few fan bases are as beautiful as Besiktas’, much less one that can drive a rival player off the pitch.
13Lazio, Italy
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
According to ChatGPT, “Curva Nord brings flares, banners, and songs, especially in derbies.”
On matchdays, Lazio exemplify the expression “through thick and thin” by striking the ideal balance between vibrant and boisterous. Being overshadowed by teams like AS Roma, who play beside their city rivals at the Stadio Olimpico, isn’t always easy, but the Biancocelesti have persevered.
Despite their lack of trophies over the years, the Rome-based team has consistently been at the top of Italy’s first division and can hold their heads high because to the unwavering support, which includes everything from noise to tifos.
12AEK Athens, Greece
Stadium: Agia Sophia Stadium
“Known for passionate, choreographed displays,” stated ChatGPT. Rivalry games exude incredible excitement.
The fans of the Greece outfit are unlike anyone else; they are the epitome of cacophony. Their support is anticipated to be the best because, domestically, they frequently hold the top spot in the rankings. However, those dramatic nights in Europe are when they shine the best.
You can always count on the AEK Athens supporters to be the most boisterous and patriotic in any stadium across the continent, whether they are playing in the Champions League or the Europa Conference League. Greece can be shaken by the deliberate noises, especially when playing teams like Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
11Partizan Belgrade, Serbia
Stadium: Partizan Stadium
According to ChatGPT, “Grobari (ultras) are wildโnon-stop support and derby energy.”
Partizan Belgrade, one of the top teams in Serbian football, has established a reputation for itself in the European football echo chamber, and their fans are largely responsible for their team’s infamous reputation throughout the continent.
Because of all they can muster on matchday, some could describe it as excessive, but it’s always done with decency and the club’s reputation in mind. They certainly know how to establish their dominance from the stands, with everything from massive tifo displays to pyrotechnics that spread a cloud of smoke around the ground.
10Rangers, Scotland
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
“Loyal and massive following,” stated ChatGPT. On a huge night, Ibrox is among the best.
Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium is a must-see for any groundhoppers out there. It is well known in British football circles for being as scary as they come, and even if they are competing against Celtic on the game, that is frequently the case off it.
The Ibrox faithful are a unique group of football-mad people who truly embody what it is to be a football fan, constantly trying to outscore any away fanbase that dares to venture inside their stadium, which can hold just over 50,000 spectators.
