Banners and Brilliance: Ranking the Top 10 Charlotte FC Tifos and Top 10 MLS Tifos

By Rylee McKinney

Charlotte FC's supporters (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

One cannot attend any MLS game without noticing the lively supporters sections! At the beginning of each match, supporters often unfurl large Tifos, glowing with color and culture. Tifos ultimately make matches unique, showcasing a team’s identity and community culture on a national stage. 

Originating in Italy and Southern Europe, the tifo has been a staple of the game since the 1960s and ‘70s. Deriving from the word Tifosi, or “fans,” tifos expand beyond just “messages.” Rather, tifos represent large-scale displays characterized by art, choreographed movements, and community creativity. Primarily, tifos are meant to bridge community and motivation; sometimes, they even communicate forms of social resistance. 

Charlotte FC’s supporters section is no stranger to the tradition. Since the club’s inaugural season, supporters have illuminated Bank of America Stadium with visually moving art. Here is a look at some of the best tifos from Charlotte FC and across the league as a whole:

Top 10 - Charlotte FC

1. “For Anton Forever” - 2023

Charlotte FC also released this tifo in memory of Anton Walkes, which blends an image of Queen Charlotte with the glowing number five. This tifo paid special tribute to Walkes while also kicking off The Crown’s second season in the MLS. 

2. "Goku" - 2024

Based on the hit anime, Dragon Ball Z, this tifo uses the main hero, Goku, and implants Sir Minty’s face into his “spirit ball.” 

3. Queen - 2024

This tifo is an adaptation drawn from the Queen City’s ultimate inspiration, Queen Charlotte.

4. ¡Por la Corona! - 2023

In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, this tifo was designed with input from the Hispanic/Latinx Charlotte FC supporters. Within the design are hints of Hispanic/LatinX culture, complemented by the Spanish-language title. 

5. Titan of the Queen City - 2023

Making its debut in 2023, this tifo inspired Charlotte FC’s newest tradition: the lighting of the flame before each match to protect the fortress. The ritual itself is a part of Charlotte’s pre-match entertainment to excite the crowd, a key component to each home match. 

6. "MintFinity Gauntlet" - 2023

Inspired by the hit Marvel movies, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, this tifo blends Charlotte FC with pop culture. Here, the club’s cherished Mascot, Sir Minty, is clutching his own gauntlet, which symbolizes the capability of world-ending destruction. 

7. "The Crown Strikes Back" - 2023

Drawing from the popular movie franchise Star Wars, this tifo made its appearance during Charlotte’s regular-season match against Chicago Fire FC. The tifo was raised in May to commemorate the popular Star Wars reference: “May the force be with you.” That night, the force was surely with The Crown as they took home a 2-1 win. 

8. “Go On Have a Bite” - 2023

This tifo was showcased during Charlotte FC’s second-season match against NYCFC. Taking a jab at “The Big Apple’s” team, this tifo represents the famous villain from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. The tifo itself was created by the students enrolled in the Graphics Academy at Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. In the end, NYCFC took a bite from the poison apple, granting Charlotte FC a 3-2 win at home. 

9. "Anton Walkes" - 2023

This particular tifo commemorates the unfortunate loss of Charlotte FC defender Anton Walkes. With Charlotte FC’s inaugural team, Anton Walkes provided stability to the backline for Charlotte. Sadly, Walkes passed away in January 2023, leaving fans devastated. This tifo was created in his honor and was a joint collaboration between Walkes’ two clubs, Charlotte FC and Atlanta United. 

10. "Dirty Dancing Lift" - 2022

Also created by students at Highland School of Technology in Gastonia, this tifo was one of Charlotte’s earliest. This specific tifo draws on the infamous scene in Dirty Dancing where actor Patrick Swayze lifts actress Jennifer Grey. Yet the supporters cleverly replaced the actors with Queen Charlotte, who was lifted high overhead by former midfielder Ben Bender.

Top 10 - MLS

1. Atlanta United FC - "MLS 3.0" - 2018

During the 2018 MLS Cup Final against the Portland Timbers, Atlanta United FC displayed a train-themed tifo. This massive tifo featured a train to symbolize the city’s rail history and relentless momentum. In the end, the train did leave the station for Atlanta as they took home a 2-0 victory over Portland and their first MLS Cup. 

2. FC Cincinnati - “One City One Club” - 2025

To commemorate the club’s 10th year, supporters unleashed the beast. During their regular-season match against Charlotte FC in August of 2025, the Orange and Blue released one of the best tifos yet, blending special effects with art. FC Cincinnati took the pitch with smoke pouring out of the lion’s mouth! 

3. LAFC - “Goku”  - 2022

Launching their 2024 MLS Cup appearance was LAFC’s wicked “Goku” tifo. Glowing with golden flames, Goku greeted the Philadelphia Union at the BMLO Stadium. Just like Goku’s dramatic fashion, the Cup was finally awarded to LAFC after a 3-3 draw in regular play followed by a high-intensity shootout. 

4. Portland Timbers - “50th Anniversary” - 2025

Last season, the Portland Timbers celebrated the team’s 50th anniversary. In their home match against Minnesota United. This massive tifo covered the entire north end of the stadium, with elements on the east and west sides. This tifo evolved into an experience for fans that told the Timbers’ history. 

5. NYCFC - “Don’t Be Plastic!” - 2024

In the wake of the blockbuster movie Barbie, New York City FC unveiled a Mattel-inspired design during its match against Inter Miami CF.  Created by NYCFC’s supporters group, Third Rail, this tifo won the 2024 “Best Tifo of the Year.” Its goal: to poke fun at the rise in casual fans attending MLS matches to see Lionel Messi work his magic on the pitch. 

6. LAFC - “Football is Freedom" - 2021

Revealed during Juneteenth, this tifo, designed by 3252 Collective, aimed to celebrate the holiday and Bob Marley’s passion for soccer. During their match against Sporting KC, Bob Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, served as the honorary falconer, adding to the tifo’s energy. 

7. Columbus Crew - “Saved the Crew” - 2024

Columbus Crew launched a grassroots campaign from 2017 to 2018 after the club was considering relocating to Austin, Texas, at the behest of owner Anthony Precourt. Through massive community mobilization, legal battles, and a new ownership purchase, the team was able to stay in Columbus. So, this tifo celebrates the anniversary of the “Save the Crew” movement and the lengthy fight to keep the Crew where they belong. 

8. Austin FC - “Somos Del Equipo De La 512” - 2021

In memory of the famous Latin singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, this tifo appeared at Austin FC’s match against LA Galaxy. Designed by ATXFC Artist Initiative member and Los Verdes supporter Joel Corral, this tifo represents the cultural identity of Austin’s vivacious supporters. 

9. St. Louis City SC - “Cityzilla” - 2024

Cityzilla made its statement to kick off the 2024 MLS Rivalry Week match between St. Louis City SC and Chicago Fire FC. The tifo featured an anime-style Godzilla breathing out fire, accompanied by St. Louis’ acclaimed title “King of the Midwest.” Designed by supporter group STL Santos and other fan volunteers, this tifo ultimately led to a 3-1 victory for St. Louis. 

10. Seattle Sounders - “Don’t Call it a Comeback” - 2023

Nodding to the LL Cool J lyric, “Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years,” this tifo was designed to kick off Seattle's 2023 MLS season. The design features head coach Brian Schmetzer as the DJ, surrounded by graffiti and bright green. After a disappointing 2022 season, Seattle was looking to change the tone. Seattle kept their word with a dominant 4-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.