What’s An Ultra?

Miami Ultras are a soccer supporters group who support pro soccer in Miami. Our primary focus is to do whatever we can as fans to help bring MLS to Miami while at the same time cheering on our local pro soccer team, Miami FC.

Ultras are a specific type of sports team supporter group. They are mostly European and South American supporters of soccer teams.

This particular fan subgroup appeared strongly in Italy during the late 1960s when soccer teams reduced ticket prices in certain areas of the stadiums. The word ultra is Latin, which means beyond in English, the implication being that their enthusiasm is 'beyond' the normal. Since the early 1990s, the ultras subculture has increasingly become similar in style to the hooligan firm and casual cultures.

Ultra groups are usually based around a core group (who tend to have executive control over the whole group), with smaller subgroups organized by location, friendship or political stance. Ultras tend to use various styles and sizes of banners and flags with the name and symbols of the group. Some ultra groups sell their own merchandise such as scarves, hats and jackets. The ultra culture is a mix of several supporting styles, such as scarf-waving and chanting. An ultra group can number from a handful of fans to hundreds, and often claim entire sections of a stadium for themselves.

The four core points of the ultra mentality are:

•never stop singing or chanting during a match, no matter what the result

•never sit down during a match

•attend as many games as possible (home and away), regardless of cost or distance

•loyalty to the stand in which the group is located (also known as the Curva or Kop).

Ultra groups usually have a representative who liaises with the club owners on a regular basis, mostly regarding tickets, seat allocations and storage facilities. Some clubs provide the groups cheaper tickets, storage rooms for flags and banners, and early access to the stadium before matches in order to prepare the displays. Some non-ultras have criticized these types of favored relationship. Some spectators criticize ultras for never sitting during matches and for displaying banners and flags, which hinder the view of those sitting behind.

So as Miami Ultras we want to stand out as much as possible in supporting our team and our future MLS team. With a very vocal group we can make a difference. Letting all media sources know we exist, emailing MLS as often as possible and going out and supporting Miami FC. So join us and become an Ultra!