Football is more than just what happens on the pitch; it’s also about what echoes from the stands. In Indian football, that echo is now growing, thanks to fans bringing drums, chants, and tifos to life.

These tifos or banners, as part of fan choreographies, have become a powerful way for fans to express pride, passion, identity, and even rivalry.

See: Most unique kits in ISL history

Whether it’s a message of unwavering support, a tribute to a player, or a symbolic reminder to the opposition that they’re in hostile territory, ISL fans have shown remarkable creativity and intensity through their tifos.

In this article, we shine a light on some of the best and most iconic tifos unveiled in the ISL.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

In one of the grandest visual displays in Indian football, Mohun Bagan Super Giant fans paid tribute to the historic 1911 IFA Shield victory of the Mariners over the East Yorkshire Regiment.

Mariners Base Camp, one of the club’s leading fan groups, unveiled a record-breaking, hand-painted tifo measuring around 25,500 square feet. As suggested by the club’s official handles, it is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world.

Unveiled during the home game against Bengaluru FC on 27 January 2025, the tifo honoured a moment remembered not only as a footballing milestone by the Mariners but also as a symbol of pride and resistance.

Alongside the tifo, a giant banner was unfurled from the B2 Gallery of the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, bearing the powerful message: “Our legacy isn't just history, but the heartbeat of a nation of patriots.”

The occasion was made even more memorable by a 1–0 win over the Blues, sealed by a stunning strike from Liston Colaco.

Kerala Blasters FC

Manjappada, the ever-passionate fan group of Kerala Blasters FC, has long been known for their loud, synchronised chants and for creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

On 11th December 2022 in Kochi, they unveiled one of the largest tifos in Asian football, a staggering 11,025 sq. ft. display, just ahead of their team’s match against arch-rivals Bengaluru FC.

The tifo featured then-head coach Ivan Vukomanovic alongside chanting supporters, capturing the unity between the team and its fans. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with thousands of yellow-clad supporters bouncing in rhythm. The night became even more memorable as Kerala Blasters FC edged Bengaluru FC 3–2 in a thrilling contest.

While Manjappada have displayed several other tifos, including heartfelt tributes during times of natural calamity, this monumental tifo remains one of their most iconic efforts to date.

East Bengal FC

East Bengal Ultras, widely regarded as the pioneers of the Ultras movement in India, have long been known not only for introducing this culture into Indian football but also for their unwavering support, staying vocal and visible in the stands through every high and low.

Ahead of the 2024–25 ISL season, East Bengal FC had already endured a tough start to their campaign. Early exits from both the Durand Cup and the AFC Cup preliminary round had cast a shadow, and the pressure only grew with two back-to-back defeats in the opening ISL matches. But instead of turning away, the Ultras chose to stand tall and back their team when it mattered most.

To read this article in Bangla, click here

In their first home game of the season, against FC Goa, the East Bengal Ultras unveiled a powerful tifo depicting fans getting behind the team, beating drums, chanting loudly, and refusing to give up.

Alongside it, a bold banner delivered a message meant as both support and challenge: "Ain’t nothing wrong with going down. It’s staying down that’s wrong."

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC’s passionate supporters, especially the West Block Blues, have long been known for their powerful banners and unwavering support, both for club and country. From loud chants to bold visual messages, their presence in the stands has always elevated the matchday atmosphere.

On 4th October 2023, during their third game of the season and first home fixture, the West Block Blues unveiled a striking hand-painted tifo to mark the club’s 10th anniversary. The display read: "A Decade of Blue. In this together, always." It was a heartfelt tribute that combined emotion, legacy, and identity.

The tifo featured the club’s iconic two-headed eagle, the trophies won over the decade, and a silhouette of Bengaluru FC legend Sunil Chhetri.

To top it all off, the night ended on a high as Bengaluru FC pulled off their first win of the season, a memorable comeback win over long-time rivals East Bengal FC, to make the occasion even more special.

NorthEast United FC

A powerful tribute to the culture and history of Assam and the Northeast, NorthEast United FC’s fan group, Highlander Brigade, prepared a massive hand-painted tifo measuring almost 12,000 sq. ft for the club’s first home game of the 2023–24 ISL season against Mumbai City FC.

The tifo featured elements highlighting the region’s rich heritage, with visuals that paid homage to the land, its people, and their enduring spirit. At its core were the bold words: “Blood, Sweat, Valour” that captured the emotion and pride the region carries into every matchday.

The Northeast region has long been a hotbed of Indian football talent and fandom, and this tifo was yet another reminder of how deeply the game is woven into the region’s identity.

To watch the making of this tifo, click here.

Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC experienced a dream rise under head coach Manolo Marquez, culminating in their first ISL Cup triumph in the 2021–22 season. To celebrate that historic success, the club's fans put on a grand visual tribute with three separate tifos during their home game against FC Goa on 29th October 2022 — a match they went on to win 1–0.

The first tifo showed a Hyderabad FC supporter wearing a balaclava, with the message: “Who are the Giants of Indian Football?” The second paid homage to the city itself, featuring the ISL Cup alongside the phrase: “City of Champions.” The third tifo brought back memories from the dramatic penalty shootout win over Kerala Blasters FC in the final, featuring visuals from the moment and head coach Manolo Marquez with the message: “We have done it once, we will do it again.”

The combination of all three tifos captured the spirit of celebration and the pride of the HFC supporters.

Mohammedan SC

One of the three Kolkata giants, Mohammedan SC, is known for its enormous and deeply loyal fanbase, and their supporters didn’t disappoint during the club’s debut ISL campaign.

Despite the team’s struggles in their first season, the fans remained loud, cheerful, and ever-present in the stands. In their first-ever ISL Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mohammedan SC fans unveiled a heartwarming tifo depicting a young boy on his father’s shoulders. Both of them were seen heading to the stadium, which is a powerful nod to how football loyalty is passed down through generations.

Related tags:

Kerala Blasters FCHyderabad FCMohun Bagan Super GiantBengaluru FCMohammedan SCEast Bengal FCNorthEast United FC2024-2025