 |
| Foto: Ultras Avanti |
Sector B is one of the most recognisable names in Bulgarian supporter culture. It is the traditional home of Levski Sofia’s most active followers, responsible for leading chants, organising choreographies, displaying banners and following the club throughout Bulgaria and Europe. For generations of Levski supporters, Sector B has represented far more than a physical section of a stadium.
It is important, however, to understand that Sector B is not a single ultras organisation. It is a collective name for Levski’s active support and the numerous groups, neighbourhood crews, regional fan clubs and independent supporters that have occupied the stand. Its internal structure has changed repeatedly, and not all organised Levski ultras currently stand together. The history of Sector B combines extraordinary loyalty, large choreographies, European journeys and supporter-led campaigns with internal power struggles, political controversy and serious incidents of violence. This mixture has made it one of the strongest but also most complicated supporter scenes in the Balkans.
The meaning of Sector B
Levski supporters traditionally occupy the stand identified as Sector B. At the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, commonly known as Gerena, it is the end from which the principal organised support has historically been directed. When major matches are staged at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, particularly the Eternal Derby against CSKA, Levski supporters occupy the southern stand, also designated Sector B. The letter therefore became part of the fan base’s identity regardless of the venue. Flags, scarves, graffiti, clothing and supporter publications frequently use the simple inscription “Sector B” without referring to any particular organisation. The name represents a collective terrace tradition rather than a group with a single foundation date or permanent leadership.
Sector B is also associated with the phrase “The Team of the People”, a description Levski supporters use to distinguish their club from institutions historically connected to state power. The fan base sees Levski as a national club belonging to ordinary supporters across Bulgaria rather than only to one Sofia neighbourhood or social class.
Support under the communist system
Levski possessed a large following long before the appearance of modern ultras. During the communist period, supporters travelled to matches, carried blue flags and scarves and developed songs that were passed between generations. Their organisation, however, was considerably different from the structured ultras groups that emerged after the fall of the regime. The rivalry with CSKA became central to this identity. CSKA was established in 1948 as the club of the Bulgarian Army and quickly became one of the dominant forces in national football. Many Levski supporters consequently came to see their club as the civilian and popular opposition to an institution favoured by the state.
The historical reality was more complicated than the popular “people against the regime” narrative suggests. In 1969, Levski was forcibly merged with Spartak Sofia and placed under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior. The club competed as Levski-Spartak until the authorities changed its name again following the infamous 1985 Bulgarian Cup final. Despite those contradictions, the belief that Levski represented independence from official power became deeply embedded in the supporter identity. The name of Vasil Levski, the Bulgarian revolutionary after whom the club was named, added a strong national and patriotic element. His portrait, words and symbols remain common in the stand.
The 1985 cup final
The Bulgarian Cup final between Levski and CSKA on 19 June 1985 became one of the defining events in the history of the rivalry. The match was marked by confrontations on the pitch, disputed refereeing decisions and disorder in the stands. The communist authorities responded with punishments that went far beyond ordinary football discipline. The authorities formally dissolved and reorganised the two football teams under new names. Levski-Spartak became Vitosha Sofia, while CSKA was renamed Sredets. Several prominent players received severe suspensions, although many of the original punishments were later reduced or cancelled.
For Levski supporters, the removal of the club’s historic name was viewed as another example of political interference. When the name Levski was officially restored after the fall of the communist regime, it strengthened the connection between the club, its patron and a supporter identity based on defiance. The events of 1985 did not create Sector B, but they contributed to the mentality inherited by the next generation. Loyalty to the name and colours became inseparable from suspicion towards football authorities, politicians and club officials.
The arrival of modern ultras culture
The political changes of 1989 transformed Bulgarian supporter culture. Greater access to foreign travel, television, magazines and recorded footage allowed young fans to study terrace movements in Italy, Germany, England and the former Yugoslavia. New styles of clothing, banners, chanting and confrontation entered Bulgarian stadiums. Levski’s active support gradually combined different influences. Italian ultras culture inspired choreographies, capos, coordinated flag displays and pyrotechnics, while British terrace culture contributed casual clothing, territorial mentality and an interest in hooligan organisation. The proximity of the former Yugoslav scene also influenced the intensity and visual style of Bulgarian groups.
During the 1990s, Sector B became more structured. Young supporters began organising themselves according to neighbourhoods, friendships and shared ideas. Permanent banners appeared, away travel became more coordinated and the stand developed an increasingly recognisable hierarchy. Levski’s success during the decade helped attract a new generation. The famous 7–1 derby victory over CSKA in September 1994 became part of Sector B folklore, while championship celebrations and European matches provided the setting for increasingly ambitious support. By the end of the decade, the foundations of the modern Levski ultras scene had been established.
Sofia West 1999
Sofia West was founded in 1999 by supporters from Lyulin, the largest residential district in Sofia. The group developed from a tightly connected neighbourhood crew into the most powerful faction associated with Sector B. Its influence extended beyond chanting and choreographies to away travel, security, supporter organisation and relations with the club. The group became known for a hard-line mentality, disciplined appearance and strong presence in confrontations. Black clothing, nationalist imagery and a reputation for physical strength became prominent elements of its public identity. Sofia West also established sections and connections beyond Lyulin, increasing its influence throughout the Levski fan base.
Over time, the group became closely associated with the National Supporters Club of Levski, commonly known by its Bulgarian abbreviation, NCP. The NCP coordinated tickets, travel, membership, merchandise and communication between Levski fan clubs across Bulgaria. This gave organised supporters a formal structure through which they could negotiate with the club. Supporters who opposed Sofia West argued that this relationship concentrated too much influence in the hands of one faction. Sofia West and the NCP rejected accusations that their role was illegitimate, presenting themselves as the organisations carrying the greatest responsibility for Sector B’s regular activities. This disagreement later became one of the central causes of the stand’s division.
South Division and Blue Junta
South Division traces its foundation to 2006 and later became another major force within Levski’s organised support. The group placed particular importance on independent financing, choreographies and the traditional principle that ultras should not be controlled by club officials, political figures or commercial interests. It attracted supporters who wanted a different organisational model from the one associated with Sofia West and the NCP.
Relations between the two sides were not immediately defined by open conflict. For several years, Sofia West, South Division and other groups could stand under the broader Sector B identity and cooperate on major displays. Disagreements nevertheless developed over leadership, money, security arrangements and the direction of organised support. Blue Junta was founded in 2010 and attracted a younger generation of highly active supporters. It became recognised for its visual contribution, away presence and uncompromising mentality. The group later moved closer to South Division during the internal disputes that reshaped the stand.
Other banners have also formed an important part of the scene. HD Boys, Ultra Varna, Vandals Pleven, LSL, Blue Huns, Old Capital Boys and numerous regional fan clubs have appeared at home and away matches. Some have remained active for long periods, while others have changed, disappeared or continued as smaller friendship-based crews. No list can permanently define Sector B. Groups rise, divide, change names and lose banners, while regional sections may operate with considerable independence. The stand’s history is therefore better understood as a changing network than as a fixed federation.
The visual identity of Sector B
Sector B is best known internationally for its large choreographies. Derby displays frequently cover the entire stand with coloured cards, painted sheets, flags and banners. Historical figures, Bulgarian national symbols, club legends and messages directed at rivals are common themes. Blue and white naturally dominate, but black is also widely used in group clothing and harder visual presentations. Portraits of Vasil Levski frequently appear beside revolutionary quotations or messages about freedom, courage and national pride. The club’s historic crest and the year 1914 are treated as sacred symbols.
Pyrotechnics are another central part of the atmosphere. Coordinated flare shows, smoke bombs and fireworks have turned both Gerena and the national stadium into spectacular settings. Such displays have brought international attention but also repeated fines, sector closures and restrictions from Bulgarian and European football authorities. The style of support is continuous and physically demanding. Capos direct songs from the front, while drums provide rhythm and large flags remain in motion during the match. Derby days and European fixtures usually produce the strongest atmosphere, although active groups emphasise that regular attendance at less attractive matches is the true measure of commitment.
The Eternal Derby
Nothing defines Sector B more strongly than the Eternal Derby against CSKA Sofia. The rivalry reflects football competition, city identity and competing interpretations of Bulgarian history. Levski supporters gather in Sector B, while CSKA’s principal organised following traditionally occupies Sector G at the opposite end of the national stadium. Derby preparation can begin weeks before the match. Groups collect money, paint banners and construct choreographies in secret, with each stand attempting to outperform the other. Messages often refer to previous victories, stolen materials, club identity or the political history of the two sides.
The rivalry has produced some of the most impressive atmospheres in Eastern Europe, but it has also repeatedly crossed into violence. Clashes between supporters, attacks on police, damaged stadiums and the use of dangerous pyrotechnic devices have resulted in large security operations around Sofia. Matches are frequently played at the national stadium partly because it offers greater separation and more space for policing. In 2000, a 30-year-old man was killed by an explosive device following a derby between the clubs. The tragedy remains the darkest point in the modern history of the fixture. Despite increased policing and surveillance, serious incidents have continued.
During a derby in April 2018, an explosive device thrown from the Levski section seriously injured a policewoman positioned near Sector B. More than twenty people were arrested, and the incident led to widespread condemnation. It demonstrated that improvised explosives and uncontrolled pyrotechnics could endanger people far beyond rival supporter groups. Violence is part of the documented history of the derby, but it should not obscure the enormous work invested in its visual culture. Thousands of supporters who have never participated in confrontations contribute to the atmosphere, displays and rituals that make the fixture central to Bulgarian football.
European journeys and the Blue Tale
European competition allowed Sector B to present itself outside Bulgaria. Levski’s UEFA Cup campaign in the 2005–06 season and subsequent participation in the Champions League group stage created some of the most memorable journeys in the stand’s modern history. Supporters travelled in significant numbers and brought the Sector B style to stadiums across the continent. The period became known as the “Blue Tale”. Matches against Auxerre, Udinese and Schalke helped introduce a wider European audience to Levski’s following, while the Champions League brought visits to Barcelona, London and Bremen. Even when results were disappointing, the experience strengthened the international reputation of the fan base.
European matches also produced problems. Levski have repeatedly received sanctions for pyrotechnics, crowd disorder and discriminatory behaviour. Restrictions on away travel and partial stadium closures have often punished the wider fan base for the conduct of a smaller number of individuals. For the ultras, European travel remains one of the highest tests of commitment. Long journeys, limited tickets and strict policing require organisation and personal sacrifice. The presence of banners from Sofia neighbourhoods and distant Bulgarian cities demonstrates the national reach of Levski’s support.
The centenary organised by the supporters
One of the greatest achievements of the wider Levski community came in 2014, when supporters took a leading role in organising the club’s centenary celebrations. Rather than waiting for the ownership to produce the event, fans raised approximately €75,000 and arranged a friendly match against Lazio on 23 May. More than 35,000 people filled the Vasil Levski National Stadium, with some estimates placing attendance close to 40,000. Former players and distinguished figures from the club’s history were honoured before the match. At midnight, pyrotechnics and fireworks illuminated the stadium as Levski entered its second century.
The celebrations continued the following day with a gathering at Mogilkata, the place associated with the club’s foundation in 1914, followed by a march through central Sofia. The event demonstrated what Levski supporters could achieve when different generations and factions worked towards a shared objective. It was also an important moment in relations with Lazio. The Italian club’s participation was not a random choice, but reflected the friendship that had developed between sections of the two fan bases.
Friendship with Lazio
The best-known international relationship of Levski supporters is with Lazio’s Curva Nord. Contacts between particular Levski and Lazio groups became visible during the 2000s and were strengthened through repeated visits to Rome and Sofia. The shared colours and similar nationalist currents within parts of both scenes helped the relationship develop, although it has always operated mainly through particular groups and personal connections rather than every supporter of the two clubs. The friendship should not be interpreted as a formal alliance binding every Levski or Lazio supporter. Different groups have participated to different degrees, and some contacts have been more personal than institutional. Nevertheless, the relationship has lasted long enough to become widely recognised by both supporter scenes.
Levski and Lazio supporters have displayed each other’s banners and attended important matches together. The 2014 centenary friendly provided the clearest public confirmation of the bond, while Bulgarian groups have continued to appear in the Lazio end during Rome derbies and other major fixtures. Claims of formal Levski friendships with numerous other European clubs should be treated carefully. Contacts between individuals or particular crews do not automatically represent an alliance involving the entire Sector B. Lazio remains the most consistent and best-documented international relationship.
Nationalism, politics and controversy
Patriotism is deeply rooted in the Levski supporter identity. The club bears the name of Bulgaria’s most important revolutionary figure, and national flags, historical references and messages about independence are common in the stand. For many supporters, these symbols express attachment to Bulgaria and respect for the club’s patron rather than adherence to a political party. At the same time, strong nationalist and far-right currents have existed within parts of the organised scene. Nazi imagery, racist messages and hostility towards minorities or refugees have appeared at Levski matches on several occasions. The club has consequently received repeated punishments from both the Bulgarian Football Union and UEFA.
In 2012, UEFA fined Levski following racist behaviour during a European match against Sarajevo. In April 2013, banners containing swastikas and a reference to Adolf Hitler’s birthday were displayed during a match against Litex. The following year, several supporters mocked UEFA’s anti-racism campaign with a “Say yes to racism” banner during a match against Ludogorets. Further discriminatory incidents and symbols were recorded in later seasons, including the 2018 Bulgarian Cup final and the European match against Shkupi in 2023. These episodes damaged the reputation of the entire fan base and produced substantial financial and disciplinary consequences for the club.
It would nevertheless be misleading to treat every Levski supporter or every Sector B group as ideologically identical. The fan base includes people from different social and political backgrounds, and internal disputes have occasionally followed attempts to display extremist symbols. Some factions have publicly rejected provocations that brought sanctions against the club. The accurate description is therefore that Sector B has a strong patriotic and predominantly nationalist public identity, with documented far-right elements inside parts of the scene. It is not a centrally controlled political organisation, and its thousands of followers cannot be reduced to one ideology.
Influence over the club
Organised Levski supporters have frequently attempted to influence club decisions. They have demanded meetings with owners, criticised transfers and coaches, organised protests and called for greater financial transparency. This involvement comes from the belief that Levski belongs morally to its supporters regardless of who legally owns the shares. The most notorious example occurred in October 2013. A group of supporters interrupted the presentation of newly appointed coach Ivaylo Petev, whom they accused of supporting CSKA. They forcibly removed his Levski shirt and ordered him to leave the press conference.
Petev resigned the following day. The incident received international attention and was condemned by the club’s ownership as a disgrace. It demonstrated the power organised supporters believed they possessed, but also showed how that influence could become intimidation. Relations between supporters and club officials have continued to alternate between cooperation and hostility. Groups have defended the club during financial crises while simultaneously accusing owners, sponsors and directors of using Levski for personal, commercial or political interests.
The division of Sector B
The most damaging internal conflict developed between Sofia West and South Division. The disagreement concerned far more than personal hostility. It involved competing views about money, independence, supporter security, relationships with club officials and control over Sector B. South Division argued that the active stand should be independent and financed through memberships and merchandise. Its representatives criticised arrangements under which supporter-linked organisations were involved in security, advertising or other paid activities. They believed such relationships created the impression that the entire stand could be bought or controlled.
Representatives associated with the NCP rejected that interpretation. They argued that a large national fan base required coordination, stewards, ticket distribution and common rules. They also accused South Division of conducting independent actions while leaving the wider organisation to deal with the consequences. The conflict became increasingly personal and occasionally physical. During the second half of the 2010s, South Division withdrew from Sector B and began watching matches from Sector A. Blue Junta eventually followed, and the two factions became associated with the Ultras Levski name.
The split meant that Levski’s two most active sections were no longer standing together. Sofia West and groups close to the NCP remained the dominant organised presence in Sector B, while Ultras Levski created a separate centre of support in Sector A. On some away trips, authorities even separated the two Levski factions to prevent internal confrontations. There have been periods of reduced tension and agreements to avoid fighting, particularly when the team required united support. However, the structural division has not simply disappeared. Modern articles must therefore avoid presenting every organised Levski supporter as a member of Sector B.
Supporters and the financial survival of Levski
When Levski entered a severe financial crisis in 2020, the fan base demonstrated another side of its power. Supporters purchased tickets for matches they could not attend, bought memberships and merchandise, sent donations and contributed through organised campaigns. More than 2.6 million Bulgarian lev was generated within the first five months. During 2020, money connected to supporter activity accounted for a significant proportion of the club’s income. The campaign continued after the immediate emergency, with the later “Levski is Eternal” initiative raising millions more through tickets, season cards, memberships, merchandise and direct contributions.
The response crossed factional divisions. Organised ultras, ordinary season-ticket holders, regional clubs, families and Levski supporters living abroad all participated. This made the financial campaign a broader expression of the Levski community rather than the achievement of one terrace group. The campaign reinforced the argument that supporters are the club’s greatest resource. It also increased demands for transparency, because fans wanted to know how their money was being used and how the club intended to repay its debts. Support therefore remained connected to pressure on the ownership.
Sector B today
Sector B remains the most recognisable symbol of Levski’s organised support, but its modern reality is fragmented. Sofia West and groups connected to the National Supporters Club continue to provide the main structure in the traditional stand. Other independent and regional groups contribute banners, members and travelling support. Ultras Levski, associated particularly with South Division and Blue Junta, developed a separate active presence in Sector A. Its existence demonstrates that Levski’s ultras culture is now larger than one physical stand. Chants and choreographies can originate from different sections, even when the groups share the same club and colours.
The division has undoubtedly reduced the unity that Sector B once represented. Competing leaderships and disagreements over money or influence have sometimes become more important than the shared objective of supporting Levski. Yet major matches continue to show that the wider fan base can produce an exceptional atmosphere.
Sector B’s importance cannot be measured only by its most impressive displays or its worst incidents. It has carried Levski through political interference, ownership crises, disappointing seasons and financial uncertainty. It has also shown the dangers that appear when violence, extremism and internal power struggles replace support for the club. The history of Levski Sofia’s ultras is therefore a story of devotion and contradiction. Sector B can fill a stadium with blue flags, finance a centenary celebration and help prevent the club from collapsing, but it can also become divided by influence and damaged by the behaviour of its most extreme elements. Understanding both sides is essential to understanding why Sector B remains one of the most powerful and complex supporter traditions in Eastern Europe.