Five British clubs make up the top 10 loudest and most passionate fanbases in the Champions League, according to a new report.
The 2022-23 season has seen another dramatic campaign in Europe’s elite club competition with Manchester City set to face off against Inter Milan in the final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on June 10.
It is a venue full of heritage with Turkish giants Besiktas and Galatasaray both calling it their home ground in the past 20 years while it also hosted the 2005 Champions League final when Liverpool famously beat AC Milan on penalties after a spectacular comeback.
For those Inter and City fans in attendance, the experience of travelling to the game will be defined by its iconic sounds and ahead of this year’s final, travel expert and UEFA Champions League Official Supplier, Expedia Live has unveiled its ‘Soundscape of being there’ report – highlighting the memorable sounds of being at the football.
Within the report, the enthusiastic cheering of crowds, player chants, singing of anthems and the roar as players take to the pitch topped the list as the most iconic noises.
Manchester City are one of the five British clubs that make up the top 10 loudest and most passionate fanbases, according to a report from Champions League supplier Expedia
Liverpool topped the list, with Reds fans edging out Barcelona in second and City in third
Despite their illustrious history in the competition, seven-time winners AC Milan didn’t make it
There was also a measurement of the loudest and most passionate fans in the competition, with several interesting results.
Anfield is renowned as one of the greatest and most intimidating football stadiums in world football and Liverpool fans claimed the title in first place.
They were closely followed by Barcelona and this year’s finalists Manchester City, with Celtic and Real Madrid making up the top five places.
However, City’s opponents in two weeks time Inter Milan were nowhere to be seen in the top 10 and neither were their rivals and joint tenants at the historic San Siro, AC Milan – who have won the competition seven times.
Elsewhere, despite returning to the competition for the first time in 12 years this season, Scottish giants Rangers joined their arch-rivals in the top 10 by being rated as the sixth most passionate and loudest fanbase.
Borussia Dortmund and their famous ‘Yellow Wall’ came in seventh place, with two-time European champions Chelsea in eighth.
Galatasaray – who have a rich history in this competition but haven’t featured in the group stage for three seasons – were ranked as the ninth most passionate fanbase, with Italian giants Juventus making up the top 10.
In spite of their rich heritage, Manchester United missed out.
Former Arsenal, Inter Milan and Man City star Patrick Vieira – who has partnered with Expedia for the final – emphasised the quality and passion of fans throughout Europe.
He said: ‘From my own experience travelling over the years across Europe, the sounds I heard on game day made my experiences truly unforgettable, no matter where I played.
‘I loved the roar of the plane taking off for European nights as it signalled the start of the journey, and the buzz of the stadium crowd before kick-off really got the adrenalin pumping.
‘Football has so many iconic sounds that create a unique atmosphere, which cannot be replicated anywhere else. When visiting a rival stadium and hearing our fans chanting with such passion was magical, that feeling stays with me.’
City’s opponents in the final, Inter Milan, didn’t make the top 10 in the list of loudest fanbases
Former Arsenal, City and Inter star Patrick Vieira was in awe of fans during his playing career
Istanbul can also lay claim to being the location of the two loudest stadiums in the world, according to the report, with Galatasaray and Besiktas based in the city.
Both teams’ supporters have recorded crowd noise to the level of 132 decibels – which is the equivalent to the sound when an aircraft takes off.
This only heightens the football heritage of Turkey and Istanbul with thousands of supporters from England and Italy likely to travel over for the final in the hope of seeing their side lift the trophy and having some fantastic experiences.
Michele Rousseau from Expedia added: ‘Travelling to watch a game allows fans to experience new cultures and create special memories with friends and family that will last a lifetime.
‘Expedia Live can enable fans from around the world to travel and discover new cities, as nothing beats being there.’
Meanwhile, Vieira, who will be out in Turkey for the final, is excited for a weekend of celebrations to unfold.
He added: ‘Istanbul is a city filled with so many iconic sounds, it’s bustling, lively and loud in the best way.
‘I remember my visits well, the call to prayer can be heard across the city, the buzz of the bazaars is fantastic. Wherever you are, you’ll hear the street vendors shouting and if you head down to the Bosporus there will be honks of the steamboats ringing out.
‘If you ever visit Istanbul, you must go and watch a football match there though, as the atmosphere is electric.’
For an Istanbul city guide, visit Expedia Live – the destination for fans to book travel and experiences, plus access expert advice on where to explore after the final whistle
