Sixteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Derby rivalries in football transcend the competition itself, evolving into complex socio-cultural arenas. As China’s most prominent city derby, the Shanghai Derby (Shanghai Shenhua FC vs. Shanghai Port FC) exhibits a raw and intense agonistic characteristic. This trait, creating tension with traditional Chinese cultural notions emphasizing harmony and mirroring key aspects of mainstream international derbies, positions it as a prime case for observing derby dynamics in China. Grounded in Social Identity Theory, this study employs ethnographic observation and content analysis. Viewing the Shanghai Derby as a ritualized arena, it examines the fan practices, symbolic expressions, and club identification among the two fan groups. Special attention is paid to how global forms of football fan culture are absorbed, adapted, or resisted within Shanghai’s local cultural context. The research finds that the intense agonism in the Shanghai Derby is primarily driven by deep-seated identity within both fan groups. This identity not only fuels group distinction and competition but also inspires innovation with local symbols and historical narratives, through which fans actively negotiate and perform a unique “Shanghai-style” fan identity adapting global cultural forms. Notably, this strong agonism under specific Chinese social norms, becomes significantly ritualized—expressed more through symbolic cultural means rather than widespread physical conflict. This study depicts the vivid landscape of fan culture in contemporary China, the complex processes of identity formation, the inherent logic of conflict, and seeks to uncover the lived experiences of fans at the intersection of global influences and local traditions.