When people think of Bayern Munich, they usually think of trophies, world-class players and one of the biggest football clubs on the planet. The image presented to millions of fans around the world is one of success, stability and global dominance. Yet behind the commercial face of the club exists another side that is often misunderstood. Deep inside the Allianz Arena, in the Südkurve, stands a supporter culture that has spent more than two decades fighting to preserve the traditional values of football while building one of Europe's most respected ultras movements.
At the centre of that movement stands Schickeria München. Since its foundation in 2002, the group has transformed Bayern Munich's terrace culture and established itself as one of the most influential ultras groups in Germany. While Bayern is frequently viewed as the symbol of modern football, Schickeria has consistently challenged that image, promoting supporter culture, affordable football, anti-discrimination campaigns and historical remembrance while maintaining one of the loudest and most visually impressive terraces in German football.
Understanding Schickeria requires understanding Bayern Munich itself. For decades, Bayern's supporters had a very different reputation compared to those of clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Eintracht Frankfurt or Schalke 04. During the 1970s, 1980s and much of the 1990s, Bayern possessed many loyal supporters but lacked a strong ultras culture. Traditional fan clubs dominated the stands, and although the atmosphere could be impressive during major matches, it rarely matched the intensity found elsewhere in Germany.
During the late 1990s, however, football across Europe was changing rapidly. The Italian ultras movement had already become famous throughout the continent, while Germany witnessed the emergence of a new generation inspired by the atmosphere of Italy. Young supporters wanted something different. They wanted continuous singing, coordinated choreography, giant flags, pyrotechnics and a stronger identity inside the stadium. Bayern was no exception. Out of this new generation emerged Schickeria München.
Founded in 2002 by young Bayern supporters, the group chose a name that carried local meaning. The word "Schickeria" originally referred to Munich's wealthy social elite and fashionable upper-class circles. By adopting the name ironically, the group challenged the stereotype that Bayern supporters consisted only of wealthy spectators and corporate football consumers. Instead, they presented themselves as passionate ultras determined to create an authentic football atmosphere inside the Südkurve.
Their timing was significant. German football was entering a new era following the 2006 World Cup preparations, while stadiums across the country were becoming increasingly modern. New arenas offered better facilities but also created concerns that traditional supporter culture could disappear beneath commercial interests. Schickeria quickly positioned itself as one of the strongest voices defending terrace culture against what they viewed as the excessive commercialization of football.
The move from the historic Olympiastadion to the Allianz Arena in 2005 represented both an opportunity and a challenge. The Allianz Arena quickly became one of the most modern football stadiums in the world, but many supporters feared it would lose the atmosphere that defined German football. Schickeria became one of the driving forces behind organising the Südkurve, transforming it into one of the Bundesliga's most vibrant ends despite the club's growing international popularity.
Unlike many ultras groups built around a single organisation, Bayern's active support developed as a collective movement. Alongside Schickeria came groups such as Inferno Bavaria, Red Munichs '89, Munichmaniacs 1996, Red Sharks, Südkurve '73 and Red Angels. Each group maintained its own identity while cooperating through the wider Südkurve structure. Over time, Schickeria became the leading voice within this network due to its organisation, influence and constant activity.
From the very beginning, Schickeria embraced the classic ultras philosophy. Every match became an event requiring preparation. Choreographies were planned weeks in advance, banners carefully painted, away trips organised in detail and chants constantly rehearsed. Their objective extended far beyond ninety minutes of football. They wanted to create a culture where supporting Bayern meant active participation rather than passive entertainment. This mentality quickly transformed Bayern's atmosphere.
Visitors who had once criticised Bayern supporters for being quiet suddenly encountered a completely different experience. Massive flags covered the Südkurve, thousands of scarves moved together, carefully coordinated displays appeared before kick-off and constant chanting echoed throughout the stadium. European nights against clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus further strengthened the reputation of Bayern's active support.
One characteristic that distinguishes Schickeria from many other ultras groups is its strong connection to history.
While many supporter movements concentrate almost exclusively on football, Schickeria became deeply involved in rediscovering forgotten chapters of Bayern Munich's past. Their most influential project centred around Kurt Landauer, the Jewish president who helped transform Bayern into a major football club before being forced from office under the Nazi regime.
For decades, Landauer's contribution remained largely overlooked. Many Bayern supporters knew little about the man who guided the club to its first German championship in 1932 before persecution forced him into exile. Schickeria refused to allow that history to remain forgotten. Members spent years researching Landauer's life, organising lectures, publishing information, producing choreographies and encouraging both supporters and club officials to recognise his enormous contribution to Bayern Munich.
Their campaign played a major role in changing how Bayern supporters and the club publicly remembered this part of their history.
Large choreographies dedicated to Kurt Landauer appeared inside the Allianz Arena, annual anti-racist tournaments were organised in his honour and documentaries helped introduce his story to a new generation. Eventually, Bayern officially embraced Landauer's legacy, naming the square outside the Allianz Arena Kurt-Landauer-Platz and placing his story at the centre of the club museum. What had begun as a supporters' initiative ultimately reshaped the historical identity of one of the world's biggest football clubs.
In recognition of this extraordinary commitment to Holocaust remembrance and anti-discrimination work, Schickeria received the prestigious Julius Hirsch Award from the German Football Association in 2014. The award represented something unique in European ultras culture. It demonstrated that organised supporters could influence society not only through football atmosphere but also through education, historical memory and social responsibility.
By the end of its first decade, Schickeria had become far more than Bayern Munich's leading ultras group. It had established itself as one of the most influential supporter organisations in Europe, admired by many for its choreography, organisation and political engagement while criticised by others for its uncompromising positions and frequent protests against modern football.
Whatever opinion people held, one fact became impossible to deny. The Südkurve had found its voice, and Schickeria München stood at the heart of it.