In the realm of sports fandom, few phenomena capture the intensity of devotion and collective identity like ultras supporter groups. A groundbreaking new study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications unravels the intricate tapestry of identity fusion among ultras, offering a compelling glimpse into how ritual practices knit individuals into a tightly bonded community. This research, led by Su, Li, and Liang, highlights how culturally embedded rituals contribute significantly to the psychological merging of personal and group identities, a concept known as identity fusion. By dissecting the ritualistic behavior of ultras supporters during both home and away matches, the study elucidates how these performances transcend mere fandom, forging unwavering loyalty through shared emotional and synchronized experiences.
Identity fusion, a state where individual and collective identities amalgamate into a powerful sense of oneness, forms the heart of this investigation. In practical terms, this means that ultras fans don’t just support their team—they become an inseparable part of the group’s identity, willing to go to great lengths on behalf of their collective. The researchers employed a rigorous methodological framework involving multiple studies, capturing data from general ultrasound fan samples to those participating in specific high-stakes away matches. The findings reveal strikingly high levels of identity fusion, with nearly 60% of participants scoring above 4.5 on a 5-point fusion scale, underscoring the pervasive and deeply rooted nature of these social bonds.
At the core of the analysis lies Study 1, where the mean identity fusion score reached an impressive 4.22, nearly tipping the scale towards complete fusion. Nearly half of all participants reported the highest possible fusion level of 5, signaling a near-complete overlap between personal and collective identity among ultras supporters. This pattern intensifies in Study 4, which observed ultras during a crucial away game. Here, the average fusion score rose to 4.43, with over two-thirds of the sample scoring beyond 4, indicating that the most fervent ultras exhibit their strongest identity fusion when venturing beyond their home domain. This escalation suggests that the away-game context—fraught with logistical and otherwise heightened challenges—may act as fertile ground for reinforcing collective identity through shared hardship.
To delve deeper into the mechanisms behind these elevated fusion levels, the researchers analyzed ritual practices and their correlation with identity fusion scores. Utilizing data from Studies 2 and 3, they conducted binary correlation analyses across a wide range of ritualistic behaviors such as chanting in combat uniforms, prolonged group singing and dancing, synchronized cheering, and physical exertion. Remarkably, each of these elements exhibited strong, statistically significant correlations with identity fusion, with effect sizes indicating robust associations. For instance, cheering while decked in combat attire showed a correlation coefficient as high as 0.713, suggesting a direct link between visually symbolized group unity and psychological fusion.
In addition to the collective behaviors, emotional states such as sadness and distress also emerged as consistent correlates, albeit with somewhat lower coefficients. This finding points toward the emotional complexity embedded in ultras rituals, which are not purely celebratory but also steeped in the bittersweet experiences of loyalty, loss, and struggle. The data expansively portray ultras gatherings not just as fan rituals, but as profound and emotionally resonant social ceremonies fostering immense solidarity.
The study moved beyond correlation by employing logistic regression analyses to explore predictors of identity fusion in two distinct contexts: home game attendance (Study 2) and away game expeditions (Study 3). This phase was critical in isolating the ritual components that most powerfully predict the degree of psychological fusion. Across both contexts, the concept of causal opacity—the perception of ritual actions as mystifying or inexplicable—emerged as the strongest predictor. For home games, causal opacity increased the odds of strong identity fusion by 138%, highlighting how the enigmatic nature of ritual participation deepens the group bond. Similarly, synchronized behaviors and emotional intensity also significantly enhanced fusion likelihood, underscoring the potent mix of shared rhythm and affect.
Interestingly, while emotional intensity was a significant predictor in home settings, it lost statistical significance in away game contexts. Researchers theorize this discrepancy may stem from variability in emotional experiences across different away games and potential memory biases when recounting these events. To refine these observations, Study 4 focused on a highly specific and emotionally charged away match where Chengdu Rongcheng secured a critical draw to enter the AFC Champions League qualifications. This specificity allowed for a more precise analysis and revealed that emotional intensity regained predictive power, increasing fusion likelihood by 65.6%, alongside strong contributions from causal opacity and synchronization.
Importantly, the statistical models used throughout the analyses demonstrated robust explanatory power, with Nagelkerke’s R² values consistently exceeding 0.7 in home and away general models, and about 0.44 in the more focused Study 4, reflecting moderate yet significant predictive capacity. Multicollinearity diagnostics confirmed the models’ reliability, thus reinforcing confidence in these associations. These quantitative insights collectively affirm that ritual elements—especially those creating a sense of mystery, synchrony, and emotional investment—are central to fortifying ultras supporters’ fused identities.
One of the most fascinating dimensions explored by this research is the role of causal opacity, which refers to the enigmatic or inexplicable quality of ritual behaviors. Unlike straightforward actions, opaque rituals resist easy interpretation, thereby enhancing their symbolic power and emotional resonance. Within ultras groups, this may manifest as choreographed chants, coordinated physical movements, or complex visual displays whose full significance is grasped only through immersion rather than observation. Such rituals function as social glue, compelling members to bond over shared commitment to seemingly irrational yet deeply meaningful acts.
Synchrony stands as another integral pillar buttressing identity fusion. By compelling participants to cheer, chant, and move in unison, synchrony fosters a sense of collective agency and interdependence. This physiological synchronicity translates psychologically into a felt unity, shrinking the perceived distance between individuals and between self and group. This research confirms synchrony’s profound influence by demonstrating its consistent positive predictive effects across home, away, and specific high-stakes match scenarios.
The study’s nuanced attention to emotional dynamics illuminates the complex affective landscape coursing through ultras rituals. Rather than simple enthusiasm, ultras displays encompass sustained physical exertion, lengthy singing sessions, and sometimes sharp feelings such as sadness or distress—all of which coalesce to deepen identity fusion. By including metrics for the intensity and type of emotions, the research reveals how emotional contagion and shared mood states amplify the psychological merging of self and group, transforming individual commitment into a collectively energized force.
Beyond academic importance, this research carries significant sociocultural implications. Understanding the psychological underpinnings of ultras identity fusion provides a framework to unpack both the cohesive strengths and potential volatility within such groups. While tightly fused communities foster resilience, belonging, and collective joy, they may also escalate conflicts or risky behaviors if fused identity is aggressively channeled. These insights thereby offer pathways for policymakers, sports organizations, and community leaders to engage constructively with ultras cultures in ways that respect their rituals while mitigating social tensions.
Moreover, by incorporating data from a landmark match where Chengdu Rongcheng secured AFC Champions League qualification, the study showcases the intersection of ritual, emotion, and identity in moments of tangible sporting success. This contextualization adds depth to the findings, illustrating how critical matches intensify ritual engagement and heighten the psychological stakes. The real-world relevance of such moments punctuates how identity fusion is not merely an abstract concept but a living process, embedded in the temporal rhythms of sports fandom and competition.
Methodologically, this research exemplifies rigorous cross-study triangulation, integrating survey scales, behavioral correlations, and multivariate modeling to map the psychology of ultras rituals comprehensively. The use of well-validated measurement tools, such as the seven-item language scale from Gómez and colleagues, ensures robustness in identity fusion assessment. At the same time, careful attention to multicollinearity and model fit statistics underscores the scientific stringency guiding this inquiry, setting a benchmark for future explorations of collective identity phenomena.
In conclusion, Su, Li, and Liang’s study profoundly advances our understanding of how ultras supporters forge exceptionally strong social bonds through ritual practices steeped in mystery, synchrony, and intense emotion. It reveals a dynamic interplay between structural elements of ritual and psychological processes of identity, offering a powerful lens on the cultural fabric of sports fandom. As ultras chants echo through stadiums and streets, their performances do more than animate games—they embody a shared identity forged in suffering, celebration, and unwavering loyalty. This research stands as a testament to the enduring human need for belonging and collective meaning, vividly realized in the passionate world of ultras supporters.
Subject of Research: Identity fusion and ritual practices among ultras football supporters
Article Title: “Together in suffering, truly in trouble” – a study of cultural rituals in ultras supporters based on identity fusion theory
Article References:
Su, C., Li, W., Liang, B. et al. “Together in suffering, truly in trouble” – a study of cultural rituals in ultras supporters based on identity fusion theory. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 1344 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05575-4
Image Credits: AI Generated
