Kop de Boulogne

Lore & Background

The Kop of Boulogne was formed in 1978 when Kop K supporters relocated to the Boulogne stand. The club's first Italian-style ultra group, the Boulogne Boys, was founded there in 1985, followed by the English-inspired kopistes Gavroches and Rangers. However, some KoB groups, including Commando Pirate and Casual Firm, took English hooligans as questionable role models, and violence escalated rapidly. In response, the club's owners, Canal+, encouraged non-violent KoB fans to gather at the opposite end of the stadium, leading to the creation of the Virage Auteuil in 1991. A violent, racially charged rivalry developed between the two stands, peaking in 2010 when Boulogne fan Yann Lorence was killed after a brawl outside the Parc. This prompted the Plan Leproux, which exiled all supporter groups from the Parc. After former VA supporters formed the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) in May 2016, the club allowed their return in October 2016, and the CUP took over the Boulogne stand at that time.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Parc des Princes hangs heavy with smoke and electric anticipation. Down in the Curva Sud, the Kop de Boulogne erupts into a churning sea of blue and red scarves, moving as one organism. A colossal banner unfurls across the terrace, revealing the stoic gaze of an 80s legend just as the drums begin—a thunderous, rhythmic heartbeat that vibrates through the concrete floor and rattles the ribs of every player on the pitch. A young supporter stands precariously on the railing, eyes locked on the tunnel's shadow. He isn't merely watching; he is conducting a chant that has echoed off these walls for thirty years, his voice cracking with intensity as the team emerges, ready to turn the stadium into a fortress.

Reader's Guide

The Kop of Boulogne is located in the Boulogne stand (north end) of the Parc des Princes. Historically, it was home to groups such as the Boulogne Boys, Gavroches, and Rangers. As of 15 September 2025, the only officially recognized ultra group is the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP), which is based in Auteuil but has been allowed to take over the Boulogne stand starting in the 2025–26 season. Other licensed groups in the Boulogne stand are not mentioned in the source.

Did You Know?

• The Kop of Boulogne originated in 1978 when Kop K fans moved from the Paris stand to the Boulogne stand after ticket prices increased.
• The Boulogne Boys, founded in 1985, were PSG's first Italian-style ultra group.
• The 2010 death of Boulogne fan Yann Lorence led to the Plan Leproux, which banned all supporter groups from the Parc des Princes.