What is Tifo? Revealing the huge flag art on the football field: The first round of the Premier League Tifo show!

In the first few days of the Premier League season 2025/26 season, fans unfolded several spectacular Tifos in the stands - giant banners or uniform flag puzzle displays. This phenomenon has aroused the curiosity of many fans: What exactly is Tifo? Where does it come from? Why is it becoming more and more common in the Premier League? This article takes you through the origins of Tifo and the latest classic cases.

What is Tifo?

Tifo is believed to have originated in Italy and Southern Europe and was initially a way for fans to express their support and inspire teams and players.

Usually, Tifo has two main forms:

giant banners - giant paintings or slogans that unfold in the entire stand at the same time;

puzzle mosaic - a banner or card that is raised at the same time by thousands of fans, looking at high places, neatly combined into a huge pattern.

The word "Tifo" comes from the Italian word "tifosi", which means avid supporter and is often used to describe the most enthusiastic group of fans in the sports field. Although Tifo has been popular in the continent and America for decades, it has only gradually become popular in English football in recent years.

The classic Tifo

The Premier League Opening Weekend In the Premier League first round of the 2025/26 season, multiple Tifos were in the spotlight:

Wolves: Fans use Tifo to pay tribute to former player Diogo Jota, who died this summer, and his brother Andre Silva. Before the game against Manchester City, fans played a huge picture of Jota celebrating the goal, accompanied by the text: "We will remember you when you walk into the golden fields."

Sunderland: To celebrate the return to the Premier League after 8 years, fans showed the image of the "Rabton Dragon" - a local legend telling the story of John Lambton Cavaliers killing the monster dragon.

Aston Villa: Fans pay tribute to head coach Unai Emery with a Tifo with the words "Our dreams have no limits."

Nottingham Forest: Create a colorful mosaic with the famous quote from 19th-century environmentalist John Muir: "Walk into the forest, I forget my worries and find myself."

Chelsea: After winning the Club World Cup this summer, fans played the banner: "World Champion".

Other memorable Tifo

Aston Villa: In the Champions League match against the Celtics in January this year, Villa fans paid tribute to their legendary fan Oz Osborne with a slogan: "Up the Villa". A few weeks later, Osborne finished his final performance with the band Black Sabbath at Villa Park, before tragically passing away.

Manchester City: Fans used Tifo to mock Real Madrid fans for their reaction to Vinicius missing the Golden Ball. They cast banners with Oasis lyrics “Stop crying your heart out” and accompanied by images of Golden Globe winner Rodri kissing the trophy.

Dortmond: The famous "Yellow Great Wall" fan zone once played a classic Tifo in the 2013 Champions League against Malaga - the picture shows a man using a telescope to find the Champions League trophy.

Galatasaray: In 2014, fans used Tifo to reproduce the legendary moment of 1996 - coach Graeme Sones' feat of inserting the team's flag into the center of the opponent's stadium after defeating Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup.

Summary

Tifo is not only a part of the fan culture, but also a visual feast for modern football. It carries the emotions of fans, historical memories, and infinite love for the team. Now, as Premier League fans are increasingly joining this tradition, we may see more amazing Tifo moments on the field in the future.