Who are ordinary supporters?

Publié le 12 novembre 2025 – Mis à jour le 12 novembre 2025

International Conference

For a long time, research has focused on ‘Ultras’ and hooligans. This international conference focuses on those who make up the silent majority: ordinary supporters. Whether they go to the stadium, watch on television, follow on social media or read the press, their practices shape the economy, culture and public space of football.

Why this conference?

To fill a scientific blind spot by documenting the profiles, motivations and social interactions of ordinary supporters.
To offer a unique international comparison between Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond.
To bring together the perspectives of leading specialists and a variety of methods (surveys, digital data, ethnographies, media archives).

Key questions

Who are ordinary supporters today and how are their local, national and transnational identities evolving?
What are the differences between stadium attendance, TV viewing, streaming and social media?
Gender, age, class, migration: what are the lines of division and inclusion?

-> Full programme

Date(s)

Du 11 décembre 2025 au 12 décembre 2025

09:00 - 18:00

Lieu(x)

ULB I Institut d’études européennes
Salle Spaak
39, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt – 1050 Bruxelles

Contact

Registration required : Jean-michel.de.Waele@ulb.be