ABSTRACT

The text deals with the history of Swedish football's most classic club rivalries. These are the rivalries in Gothenburg (between IFK Göteborg, Örgryte IS and GAIS), Stockholm (AIK, Djurgårdens IF, Hammarby IF), and in the county of Scania (Malmö FF, Helsingborgs IF, Landskrona BoIS). The rivalries in Gothenburg have revolved around social class and political preferences, while those in Stockholm have focused on geography. The Scanian ones have been based on traditional rivalries between nearby cities within a distinct region. During the 2000s, a strong supporter culture has worked glocally to preserve a relatively non-commercial football culture, while rivalries at the same time have become fiercer. The heightened passion around the matches has in turn led to strengthened networks around the clubs, including better press coverage, increased sponsoring and the construction of better stadiums. The analysis summarises a qualitatively based research project on the relationship between club football and local identity in 11 different cities during the period 1950 up to the beginning of the 2000s.