Perugia’s ultras have often gone beyond the football pitch. Over the years, they have organised campaigns and awareness projects on issues outside sport. One of the most famous was the anti-racism campaign “A city against racism is always in Serie A.” This action showed that Perugia supporters were not only passionate about football, but also about wider social and political causes.
The ultras movement in Perugia started in the early 1970s. The first groups were Ultras Perugia, soon joined by Venceremos and Fossa dei Grifoni. In 1978, the most iconic group was created – the Armata Rossa. Born from a meeting of fans in Perugia’s historic centre, this group openly declared its far-left ideology. The choice of the name “Armata Rossa” (Red Army) was no coincidence—it reflected the strong political engagement of Perugia’s youth at the time. Their symbol, the red star, became a landmark in the Curva Nord. This political identity was also embodied by Paolo Sollier, a striker idolised by fans in the 1970s. Sollier was politically active and famously greeted supporters with a raised fist salute, making him a symbol of the connection between football and politics in Perugia.
In 1989, the Ingrifati group was formed, mainly from the San Sisto neighbourhood. Like the Armata Rossa, they leaned to the left and became known for their proselytising actions—publishing fanzines, organising meetings, and running activist activities that strengthened the identity of Perugia’s ultras. Another well-known group is Quelli del Santa Giuliana, made up of older fans who supported Perugia in the days before the move to Renato Curi Stadium, when matches were played at the old Santa Giuliana ground. On the other side of the political spectrum, the Brigata Ultrà was founded in 1994. This right-wing group was born out of a merger between Brigaden from Elce and the Doddy Boys from Ponte d’Oddi. Their goal was to unify support in the north-western outskirts of the city. Despite initial clashes between left-wing and right-wing groups, by the 2017-2018 season the different factions managed to coexist peacefully. Each group maintained its independence and symbols, but all began to unite under the common name Ostinatamente A.C. Perugia, showing the strength and pride of the entire Perugia ultras movement.
The historic and fiercest rivalry is with Ternana, the other club from the region. Known as the Derby of Umbria, this match goes far beyond sport. It represents the cultural, historical, and economic differences between the two regional capitals. For Perugia supporters, the derby against Ternana is the most important fixture of the season. Other Umbrian derbies include games against Foligno and Gubbio. These rivalries are less intense today, although in the past there were moments of both friendship and conflict. Inside the city itself, the only real Perugia derby has been against Pontevecchio, a smaller club from the Ponte San Giovanni area. Due to the difference in divisions, the two sides only met twice, during the 2010-2011 Serie D season. Earlier in the 20th century, matches between Fortebraccio and Libertas were even banned by authorities for reasons of public order. For this reason, Perugia has never developed a true city rivalry.
Outside Umbria, Perugia’s most significant rivalries include Lazio, born in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to strong political contrasts between the fanbases, further fuelled by Paolo Sollier’s militant leftist salute to Perugia fans. The rivalry with Arezzo is known as the Derby of Etruria, starting in the 1970s for purely football reasons. There are also rivalries with Fiorentina, especially after the 2004 inter-division playoff, with Torino following Perugia’s dramatic win in the 1998 promotion playoff, and with Salernitana, once a friendship but later a bitter rivalry after referee controversies in the 1990s. Siena, Sambenedettese, Ancona, Sampdoria, Atalanta and Verona have also become significant rivals for political, sporting or historical reasons.
Despite these rivalries, Perugia ultras have also built friendships. Their closest ties are with the fans of Empoli and Fasano, particularly through the Ingrifati group. The Armata Rossa and Ingrifati also have friendly links with Juve Stabia and Montevarchi. In the 1990s, there was also a strong connection with Teramo, especially among the Mods and Ingrifati, united by a common hostility toward Ternana. The only official alliance of the Perugia ultras is with the supporters of Ischia, formed in the early 1990s when both clubs were playing in Serie C1.
The history of the Perugia ultras is one of passion, politics, and identity. From the Armata Rossa to the Ingrifati and the Brigata Ultrà , Perugia’s Curva Nord has seen decades of intense support, social engagement, rivalries, and friendships. For football fans and ultras enthusiasts alike, the Perugia supporters represent one of the most fascinating and complex scenes in Italy. Whether it is the fiery Derby of Umbria against Ternana, the political symbolism of the red star, or the unity of Ostinatamente A.C. Perugia, the fan culture in Perugia remains a vital part of Italian football history.