Djurgårdens IF: A Club, A Culture, A City.

Feature, Sport
C.S

March 21, 2025

“A bit more good-looking, a bit better”

Stockholm is a city defined by contrasts—historic yet modern, laid-back yet fiercely competitive. Nowhere is this more evident than in its football culture.

The Swedish capital is home to three of the country’s biggest clubs—Djurgårdens IF, AIK, and Hammarby—each with its own identity, traditions, and fiercely loyal following.

But ask a Djurgården supporter what sets their club apart, and the answer goes beyond just football.

For lifelong fan Oliver Dahle, supporting Djurgården is about more than matchday.

“Djurgården isn’t just a football team—it’s a club with deep traditions, dating back to 1891,” he explains. “It’s distinct in how we dress, the music we listen to, and our connection to the city of Stockholm.”

A match at Stockholmsarenan, better known as the Tele2 Arena, is an experience in itself.

“The acoustics make the chants and songs echo in a way that few arenas in Sweden can match,” says Dahle.

On derby days, when Djurgården faces AIK or Hammarby, the city holds its breath, and the stadium

European nights add another layer to the club’s culture, with travelling supporters making their presence felt from Croatia to Poland.

“The atmosphere was electric when we played teams like Panathinaikos and Legia Warsaw,” he recalls.

Football in Sweden is deeply rooted in community, and Stockholm’s rivalries are among the fiercest in Scandinavia.

The country’s unique 50+1 rule ensures that clubs remain in the hands of their members, fostering strong connections between teams and their fans.

This also means that the Swedish game resists many of the changes seen in other leagues, such as the introduction of VAR, which remains widely opposed by supporters.

In this conversation with Oliver Dahle, we explore what makes Djurgården unique, the culture of Swedish football, and the moments that have defined his journey as a fan. From title-winning highs to unforgettable European away days, this is a deep dive into Stockholm’s footballing heartbeat.

THERE’S A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG FANS

My love for Djurgårdens IF comes from a mix of family, history, and the club’s strong connection to Stockholm.

Djurgården isn’t just a football team—it’s a club with deep traditions, dating back to 1891, and has one of the most passionate and dedicated fanbases in Sweden.

To me, the club is so distinct in how to dress, which music we listen to and our connection to the city of Stockholm.

We have a saying in Swedish which goes something along the lines of ”a bit more good-looking, a bit better” – which I find very telling about Djurgårdens IF.

What sets Djurgården apart is its culture of resilience and unity. Whether it’s bouncing back from tough seasons or celebrating huge victories, there’s a strong sense of belonging among fans.

The club also represents a mix of old and new Stockholm, attracting supporters from all parts of the city.

NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR

Experiencing a match at Stockholmsarenan is electric. The acoustics of the stadium make the chants and songs echo in a way that few arenas in Sweden can match.

The atmosphere before a big game, especially against rivals like AIK or Hammarby, is intense—there’s anticipation in the air, and once the match kicks off, the whole stadium becomes a wall of sound.

The tifos, the passion in the stands, and the way the team feeds off the energy make it an unforgettable experience.

When it comes to Djurgården’s recent European games, the atmosphere has been nothing short of spectacular.

The 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League campaign was particularly special, as Djurgården topped their group and made it to the knockout rounds, and in the 24/25 season finishing in fifth place in the league stage.

The games have been electric creating a hostile environment for teams such as Panathinaikos and Legia Warsaw. Traveling Djurgården supporters also made their presence felt in away games, bringing Swedish terrace culture to European stadiums.

There are so many special memories I’ve had as a fan, but a few stand out. The 2019 Allsvenskan title win was incredibly special.

The dramatic final match against Norrköping, where we fought back to secure the championship, was an emotional rollercoaster.

Seeing the team lift the trophy after 14 years was unreal. Another unforgettable moment was my first European away day – it was in Rijeka, Croatia, there were about 2000 supporters that travelled but we only had about 800 allocated tickets.

The sense of belonging and companionship was unmatched.

Football culture in Stockholm is intense and unique. The city has three major clubs—Djurgården, AIK, and Hammarby—each with its own identity, fan culture, and traditions.

The rivalries are among the fiercest in Scandinavia, and derby days completely take over the city. Across Sweden, football culture is built on strong community ties.

Smaller towns have clubs that are the heart of their communities, and even in bigger cities, teams maintain deep connections with their supporters.

Sweden may not have the biggest leagues, but the passion in the stands rivals that of any European football nation.

Across Sweden, football is built on community and supporter influence.

The 50+1 rule, which ensures that members always have majority control over their clubs, is a core part of Swedish football culture.

It prevents private investors from taking over clubs entirely, ensuring that decisions are made with the fans’ best interests at heart.

This keeps clubs deeply connected to their supporters and traditions, rather than being run purely as commercial enterprises.

Another defining aspect of Swedish football culture is the strong resistance to VAR. Unlike many other European leagues, Sweden has chosen not to implement VAR, largely due to fan opposition.