“All I remember is looking at the ultras section the whole match and being totally mind blown”. For Swede Fritz Dölling, it wasn’t individuals, titles or tactics that birthed his love for Hammarby IF, it was the culture of their loyal fans that he witnessed in the stands. Words by Jordi Fairs.

Founded in 1915, Hammarby, or ‘Bajen’ as they are nicknamed, are strongly connected with the Södermalm district of Stockholm, a region that has historically been the most working-class part of the city. 

Having relocated in 2013, Hammarby now share a stadium with one of their fiercest rivals, Djurgårdens IF, with whom, along with AIK, form Stockholm’s big three clubs in a rare, but spectacular three-way rivalry.

Fritz, who hails from the south of Stockholm, was not always a Hammarby superfan, and his route into becoming a ‘Bajare’, as fans are nicknamed, wasn’t entirely traditional.

“I wasn’t really into team sports when I was younger, I was more into skateboarding and graffiti culture. I think I was about 18 when my girlfriend at the time begged me to go to a game with her father who was a big Hammarby supporter, he always wanted to bring me along, but I did not really have any interest”. 

What began his obsession with the club was witnessing the fan culture in the stadium on his first visit. “I can’t remember who we played or what the result was, all I remember is looking at the ultras section the whole game and being totally mind blown”.

Hammarby’s passionate fans are widely credited with introducing chants to Swedish terraces in the 1970’s, emulating displays that they witnessed when English football was first broadcasted in Sweden.  

Since moving into the 3Arena (formerly the Tele2 arena), Hammarby had boasted the highest average attendances in the entirety of Scandinavia every year until 2023, and even broke the record for average attendances in 2022 with 26,372 spectators. Their dominance in the terraces has only recently been overtaken as they have been surpassed by rivals, AIK.

Despite their massive following, Hammarby’s on pitch success has been minimal. The club has only won the Swedish topflight once, beating neighbours Djurgården by a singular point, and a single Svenska Cupen title despite reaching the final five times. But for the fans, success is not everything, and the unwavering culture in the stands remains, only strengthening year upon year.

“It was more the stand and not the game that drew me to the football and the football culture, which today is still growing on me’. 

For Fritz the football is secondary, and the Hammarby lifestyle is incredibly important. “It has given me so much! So many new friends so many trips and also lots of opportunities to do fun things in my day-to-day life. I mean I love football, but I love Hammarby more”.

Through his photography, Fritz captures the life and passion within the Hammarby terraces. “It just became a natural thing to do since I have always got a point and shoot with me. It has escalated over the years from like two, three photos a game, to two, three rolls of film a game sometimes.”

“It’s aesthetically pleasing with all the colours, pyrotechnics and what not. There is also a lot of interesting people in the stands from every part of society, the mix of everything makes it an interesting and fun place to be in and around.”

“I get inspired by a lot of different things, like the ultras stand and terraces all over Europe. I also get inspiration from other cultures like graffiti and follow a lot of like-minded people.”

Out of his collection, one photo stood out to Fritz the most. “I like the one with the guy in the leather jacket who has the crest hand painted on the back, such an OG! I didn’t notice until I got the picture developed that I also managed to catch the cigarette in his hand.”

After finishing second in the Allsvenskan last season, Hammarby fans and the vociferous displays will return once the new season kicks off at the end of March, hosting IFK Göteborg in the start of a bid to go one better and secure a second league title.

From Fritz, there is one more thing to add: “FORZA BAJEN”.

Keep up with Fritz and life on the terraces at 3 Arena on Instagram.

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