Colorful football festival: fans celebrate together against racism!

Colorful football festival: fans celebrate together against racism!

The 2025 football summer in Germany was characterized by a wide range of activities and impressive fan events, which showed that sport is much more than just a game. During the summer break, fan groups from St. Pauli, Dynamo Dresden, Frankfurt, Bochum and other cities organized numerous tournaments and events that emphasized community spirit, exchange and social issues. Like the page Fascination fan curve reported, the annual Antira tournament in St. Pauli was one of the highlights, in which numerous fans from different countries took part. Among the guests were supporters of Sampdoria Genoa and FC Marseille, as well as numerous German ultras and fans.

The program for this tournament was extensive: On Friday, May 30th, the event started with a German and English-language harbor tour that discussed Nazi history and forced labor in the port of Hamburg. In the evening, discussions about state repression against football fans took place at Club Knust, moderated by Vice President Luise Gottberg. The speakers also included members of anti-fascists who reported on the challenges of working with authoritarian states. This shows that current social issues also need to be addressed in the football world, which is underlined by the results of the Mitte study on the approval of right-wing extremist statements among club members.

Diversity and commitment of the fan scenes

Summer was not only a time for celebrations, but also for important social projects. Examples such as Children's Day in Dynamo Dresden's Dynamoland, which attracted over 700 participants from family centers and sports clubs, illustrate the fan scene's commitment to the community. Such initiatives are necessary to break down social barriers and raise awareness of respectful coexistence.

Another notable moment was the celebration of the 25th anniversary of friendship between the fans of Eintracht Frankfurt and Bergamo. This connection was honored with banners and shared graffiti. Such expressions of solidarity and friendship not only strengthen the community within fan groups, but also promote integration and cohesion across city and national borders, which benefits the fans and ultimately society as a whole.

A focus on anti-racism

A significant aspect of these events was the increased focus on anti-racism. Despite the efforts of football associations and clubs that invest in campaigns against racism, the Mitte study shows alarming figures: around 8% of those surveyed have a right-wing extremist worldview. Christian Gaum, sports educator, emphasizes that it is about creating role models who promote respectful cooperation. Such a commitment is essential to counteract ignorance towards racist statements and to promote open communication within clubs. After all, football culture is a reflection of society.

Overall, the 2025 football summer in Germany was characterized by civic engagement and the fight against discrimination. The six days, which were filled with top-class events, discussions and celebrations, impressively demonstrated that football is more than just a game: it is a part of society that remains alive when fans, clubs and initiatives work together for positive change.