OU research to help transform understanding of football crowd dynamics

As the world turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a major new Open University (OU) research project has secured £201,665 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine how football crowds, police forces and stadium authorities interact during high profile matches and how these interactions can be managed more safely and effectively across Europe.

With millions of fans gathering in stadiums and public viewing areas this summer, questions of crowd safety, policing legitimacy and supporter culture are more visible than ever. This international project arrives at a crucial moment, offering evidence based insights into how conflict can be prevented and how positive fan experiences can be supported.

Looking at what shapes outcomes in high-profile football events

Major tournaments like the World Cup highlight the diversity of football fan cultures — from passionate Ultra groups - highly organised, deeply committed football supporter communities known for their intense passion- to community groups, family supporters, travelling fans and local communities. They also bring into focus the challenges faced by police forces and event organisers as they navigate differing expectations, cultural norms and communication styles.

The OU led project will explore these dynamics in depth, drawing on:

• longitudinal ethnographic research in the UK and Switzerland
• operational policing insight
• social psychological theory
• legal analysis

Together, these approaches will help researchers understand how legitimacy, cultural understanding and intergroup relations shape outcomes during high profile football events.

Moving beyond “Risk Group” thinking

Traditional models of football policing often categorise supporters as “risk groups”, shaping strategies around surveillance and control. However, emerging evidence suggests that disorder frequently arises not from pre planned intent, but from interactional misunderstandings, misread signals, and clashes in cultural expectations between supporters and police.

The project is led by OU Professor of Policing, Clifford Stott, in the OU’s Law School and Dr Michael Hope, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Faculty of Business and Law, who said: “This project offers a unique opportunity to examine football crowd management through an international and interdisciplinary lens. By deepening understanding of Ultra fan cultures and the interactional processes that shape crowd–police relations, we aim to support more effective, proportionate and legitimate approaches to managing major football events. The findings have the potential to improve public safety not only in stadiums, but in any complex crowd environment.”

This project will examine:

• how Ultra identities and leadership structures operate
• how supporters interpret police actions — and how police interpret supporter behaviour
• the role of trusted intermediaries in preventing escalation
• how cultural norms differ across European football contexts
• the conditions under which crowd–police interactions become constructive or conflictual

Relevance for Europe — and beyond

With major tournaments, international fixtures and cross border fan travel becoming increasingly common, the project’s findings will be directly relevant to:

• police forces seeking proportionate and culturally informed crowd management strategies
• football authorities and stadium operators aiming to improve safety and fan experience
• policy makers developing guidance for large scale public events
• researchers studying public order policing and crowd psychology

The insights generated will also have wider implications for public order management in concerts, festivals, demonstrations and other large gatherings, where diverse groups interact with authorities under high pressure conditions.

A project perfectly timed for the world’s biggest stage

As global audiences celebrate the World Cup and millions of supporters gather in public spaces, the need for evidence based, culturally informed approaches to crowd management has never been clearer. This NSF funded project positions the OU at the forefront of research that can help shape safer, more constructive and more enjoyable football environments across Europe and beyond.

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• Research from The Open University Law School