Behind the Scenes: Exploring Bucharest for Tifo’s Revised Edition
Popping the collar like Cantona—Manchester United fan sticker spotted in Bucharest
Football culture isn’t just about what happens on the pitch—it lives on in the streets, in the chants, and in the layers of stickers plastered across cities worldwide. As we continue our journey documenting the art of football fandom, Bucharest, Romania, was the latest stop for the revised edition of Tifo: The Art of Football Fan Stickers. From hidden alleyways to major boulevards, we set out to capture the raw, unfiltered creativity of fan sticker culture in one of Eastern Europe’s most passionate football cities.
Bucharest: A City of Football & Fierce Rivalries
Bucharest is home to some of the most intense football rivalries in Europe. Steaua București (or CSA Steaua), the historic club once associated with the Romanian military, has one of the most dedicated fanbases in the country. Meanwhile, FCSB, the breakaway club formerly linked to Steaua, remains a point of fierce debate among supporters—something that became clear as we spotted stickers outright rejecting the FCSB identity, with messages like “FCSB is not Steaua.”
Beyond Romania’s own club rivalries, Bucharest’s streets feature stickers from all over Europe. We came across Vålerenga stickers—evidence of Norwegian fans making their mark—and even Manchester United and Roma fan stickers tucked away on street signs and poles. This international mix is one of the best parts of sticker culture: a silent conversation between fans, layered over time, one sticker at a time.
Hunting for Stickers in Bucharest
The process of exploring Bucharest was equal parts research and adventure. Stickers don’t just live in obvious places; you have to hunt for them. We found gems hidden on street poles near Piața Unirii, slapped onto metro station signs, and clustered around football grounds. The wear and tear on some of them told a story—stickers layered over, scraped off, replaced—each one a tiny battle in a larger territorial war of football fandom.
As book publishers with deep roots in graffiti and sticker culture, we know that the best way to capture these moments isn’t just with words. That’s why we hit the streets with our cameras, taking detailed shots that will be making their way into the revised edition of Tifo.
One of our favorite finds? A bold red-and-black CSKA sticker—one that, despite being a Bulgarian club, had found its way onto the streets of Bucharest. A reminder that football, like sticker culture, knows no borders.
Why Stickers Matter in Football Culture
Football fan stickers are more than just decoration. They’re a form of expression, a way for fans to claim space and make their presence known. Whether it’s a simple club logo or an elaborate design referencing historical moments, each sticker tells a story.
Bucharest, with its layered history and deep footballing roots, is a perfect example of this. The city's stickers reflect everything from club loyalty to political and anti-establishment messages. Some are funny, some aggressive, some artistic—but all of them add to the visual language of football culture.
Bringing Bucharest to Tifo's Revised Edition
This trip to Bucharest has given us a ton of material for Tifo’s revised edition. From Steaua and FCSB divisions to international influences, the city’s streets told a story that we’re excited to share.
If you're into football culture, street art, and fan expression, the new edition of Tifo will be filled with even more unseen gems from around the world—including Bucharest. We’ve documented similar sticker scenes in other cities, so if you want to dive deeper, check out our posts on exploring Glasgow, Scotland and Bali, Indonesia for more behind-the-scenes insights.
Stay tuned, and make sure to grab a copy from our Stickerbombworld shop when it drops. Until then, keep an eye out for fan stickers in your own city — you never know what hidden stories they might tell.
