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The EFL Championship is packed with supporters not only across the country, but across the globe, as fans flock in their numbers to grounds in the English second tier on a weekly basis to cheer on their club. Though some tend to be more feisty than others.
If you are a regular attendee of games in the Championship, either home or away, you will have no doubt seen some incredible fanbases over the years, from raucous home atmospheres making it as though you have walked into a bear pit, to an away section louder than the entire home end.
Some clubs have a reputation for having a particularly hostile atmosphere, whereas others are known as pretty tamed. However, with football an ever-evolving game, some clubs' fanbases grow and some shrink, creating a shift in general support.
On the whole, though, whether you're travelling to the Riverside or St Mary's, you can gauge what sort of atmosphere you may receive, as Football League World has asked AI to rank the nine toughest fanbases of current Championship sides from least to most.
AI says: A knowledgeable, demanding fanbase with a strong connection to the club. Can create a difficult atmosphere, particularly when results aren't going their way.
West Bromwich Albion have spent just two years in their entire 148-year history outside of the top two tiers, and, as one of the founding members of the EFL, are decorated in history with a proud fanbase.
The Baggies almost sell out the Hawthorns on a weekly basis despite their Championship status, and flock in their numbers to every away game, creating a ruckus wherever they travel, especially when things are going their way.
AI believes them to be the ninth toughest fanbase in the Championship right now, and if things are not going in their favour, their supporters will certainly let people know about it.
AI says: Passionate, proud and fiercely protective of their club. The history of the rivalry with Nottingham Forest adds to their edge.
Another founding member of the EFL, Derby County are engulfed in a rich history courtesy of their time under Brian Clough and Dave Mackay, cultivating a passionate and proud fanbase.
Spending just seven years in the Premier League since its inception, Derby have spent the bulk of their recent history in the EFL, bouncing between promotion contenders and relegation, but even during the difficult periods, their fanbase follows everywhere.
Pride Park has proven to be a nightmare away day for many supporters over the years for numerous reasons, as AI believes Derby to have the eighth toughest fanbase in the Championship right now.
AI says: A big-city fanbase with a reputation for being particularly vocal and confrontational. St Andrew's can be an uncomfortable place for visiting teams.
The city of Birmingham, and the wider surrounding area, is home to a cauldron of raucous supporters of numerous clubs, such as West Brom, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Aston Villa, but Birmingham City own their location's name with pride.
Blues have had a tough time for much of the last decade or so, floundering in the Championship whilst many of their local rivals experience brighter days, but now, much to the delight of the St Andrews faithful, good times appear to be heading their way.
With plans to build a new stadium capable of holding over 60,000 spectators, Birmingham's fanbase is exponentially growing both in and out of the country, and fully behind the new ownership and their club, AI believes Blues have one of the toughest fanbases in the division.
AI says: Traditional, passionate and very demanding. Their supporters have a particularly strong sense of identity and aren't afraid to make themselves heard.
Sheffield United are one of many clubs in Yorkshire, and the Blades are popular with few, especially local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
The Blades Business Crew, as their firm is widely known by, is regarded as one of the toughest in the country, and travelling Chris Wilder's army up and down the country through thick and thin, AI backs Sheffield United's supporters as one of the toughest in the division as things stand.
AI says: A passionate Welsh fanbase with a fierce rivalry with Swansea. There's a real intensity to Cardiff's support, especially in high-stakes fixtures.
The Welsh representative on this list, Cardiff City's old Ninian Park and the Bluebirds' Soul Crew have a notoriously feisty and hostile reputation, and whilst their current home doesn't quite create the same atmosphere their old ground once did, they still have one of the rowdiest fanbases around.
Games against Swansea City, Newport County, and, to an extent, Wrexham, will always bring out the best (or worst, depending on what viewpoint you take) from the Cardiff supporters, and with high-profile incidents against the likes of Chelsea, Leeds United, and Wolves fresh in the memory, the Bluebirds' fanbase takes their spot high up on this list.
AI says: A notoriously difficult away day. Stoke supporters have a reputation for being intimidating, particularly when the atmosphere gets going. The club's history of physical, aggressive football has also contributed to that identity.
Throughout the late 1980s and through to the early 2000s, Stoke City's 'Naughty Forty' firm became known as one of the most violent and intimidating in the entire country, earning heavy mentions in the hooligan film Green Street and TV series Danny Dyer's Real Football Factories.
Though the firm eventually dissolved, many Potters supporters try to keep their hostile and triumphant attitude alive in the stands, both home and away, with the atmosphere in their early Premier League days the envy of many.
The Britannia Stadium once recorded a decibel level of 101.8, the equivalent of a jumbo jet taking off or a chainsaw operating at close range, as Stoke, despite their lacklustre recent history, in AI's point of view, maintain one of the toughest fanbases in the country.
AI says: One of English football's most passionate fanbases. Fratton Park is an incredibly intense environment, and Pompey's travelling support is consistently impressive.
Portsmouth have one of the most widely regarded fierce and passionate fanbases in the entire country, largely stemming from a unique mix of incredible civic pride, working-class naval identity, and a history of hardcore terrace culture.
The 6.57 Crew, named by the large number of Pompey supporters who would often catch the 06:57 train to London for away games, became one of the most notorious and recognised in the land, and whilst that firm has taken a step back from the spotlight, Fratton Park remains an unfavourable place for teams to come at the best of times.
Close your eyes at Fratton Park, without knowing where you are, it won't take long to recognise the constant bell ringing from the home end, and the jeers directed towards the away fans from the Pompey faithful, as AI believes Portsmouth should be high on this list of tough fanbases.
Do you agree with AI's rankings? If not, what would you change, and who do you think has the toughest fanbase in the Championship right now? Share your thoughts below!
AI says: A huge traditional footballing fanbase with a strong working-class identity. Wolves supporters have a considerable presence and can generate an intimidating atmosphere, particularly in important games.
Coming in as runner-ups on this list is Wolverhampton Wanderers, who, alongside their bitter local rivals, epitomise and embrace the Black Country identity, and often let opposition supporters know about it.
The Old Gold are one of the most historically successful clubs currently in the Championship, and another founding member of the EFL, and are draped in a rich history from a working-class background.
The Black Country derby with West Brom is one of the most intense and hostile in the entire country, as AI backs Wolves to have a tougher fanbase than their local counterparts as this stand, and all but one other team in the division.
AI says: Arguably the division's most intimidating fanbase. The Den has a reputation that precedes it, their supporters are fiercely loyal, and there's a particularly hostile edge to the atmosphere when opposition teams visit.
Coming in at number one, as they tend to do for a lot of supporter-based rankings, is Millwall.
The Den, at the best of times, is a nightmare ground to go to, with away supporters effectively penned into a cage after being jeered at by hundreds of hostile Millwall supporters on the drive through to the away end via coach.
Lions supporters often sing 'No one likes us, we don't care' from the rafters, both home and away, and whether you're at The Den or hosting the noisy bunch, they will be sure to try and out-sing you at any available opportunity.
One of the most notorious and toughest sets of fanbases, not only in this country but in the world, Millwall take AI's pick as the toughest fanbase currently in the Championship, to no surprise.
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