AIK Fotboll–Hammarby Fotboll rivalry

The clubs first met in a competitive game in 1920.^[1]

The rivalry between AIK and Hammarby is one of the most important derbies in Sweden. AIK and Hammarby are clubs with considerable support in Sweden; in 2015, two of the games between these two teams had an attendance of 41 063^[2] and 41 630^[3] respectively. 23 of September 2018 a derby between these two teams had an attendance of 49,034. It's still the record for a derby in the Nordic countries.

AIK was founded in the district of Norrmalm, which constitutes the most central part of Stockholm City Centre, but later on they moved their club to the town of Solna due Råsunda Stadium where located there, where they play their home games during 1937-2012. Therefore AIK has a following in the northern parts of the city, as well as a strong concentration of fans in the northern part of Stockholm County, roughly along the blue line of the Metro. Hammarby and their supporters are mainly located in Södermalm, the southern district of the city centre where the club was founded and the area is very associated with Hammarby culture and their identity as a fanbase. The boroughs south of said district is also considered as their heartland. Derby name: "The Battle of the Stands". "North VS South". "The Battle of the Stands" originates from the fact that these 2 clubs have the largest and strongest fan base in terms of the number of spectators at their home games and how loud and energetic their stands are. Both teams' fans are considered the biggest in Sweden. "North VS South" gets its name from where the teams are located in Stockholm county. AIK in the north, Hammarby in the south.

Hammarby has a working-class profile, with a more relaxed, bohemian fan culture while AIK are often seen as more success-oriented, proud and self-confident – sometimes called "rodents" for their stubbornness and arrogance. Both clubs have some of Sweden's most passionate fans. Hammarby are known for their creativity, joy, spontaneous and often chaotic in a charming way. Known for high volume, strong singing and huge crowd turnout. AIK are known for their darker aesthetic, powerful chants and almost religious dedication. It often becomes a battle over who has the "best stands". Derby days are electric between these set of fans. The atmosphere in the city changes, and both fans and media build up a charge weeks in advance. There is often a heavy police presence. The rivalry has sometimes crossed the line with brawls, pyrotechnics and unrest, although both clubs also work for safety and a positive fan culture. It is common to see chants, banners and taunts towards each other – sometimes with crude humor, sometimes very personal. Winning a derby means more than just three points – it gives an entire neighborhood (or municipality) a psychological advantage for the next meeting. (Both clubs also maintain a cross-town rivalry with Djurgårdens IF, who counts the Östermalm district, the eastern part of the city centre, as their stronghold.)

Updated 16 April 2025

• Local derby
• Djurgårdens IF–Hammarby IF rivalry
• Tvillingderbyt