Bristol City v Bristol Rovers: Who has the loudest fanbase? AI decides | OneFootball

AI has its take on who has the loudest fanbase out of fierce rivals Bristol City and Bristol Rovers...

The Bristol derby between the city's two clubs in Bristol City and Bristol Rovers is among the most passionate and volatile rivalries in English football, with the hatred perhaps only amplified further by the lack of encounters in recent history.

It has been nearly twelve years since Bristol's two professional clubs last locked horns.

The most recent affair was an EFL Trophy showdown at the start of the 2012/13 campaign, notorious for the scenes that followed the Robins' 2-1 victory. Supporters swarmed the pitch at Ashton Gate afterwards, leading to 19 arrests and offering an insight into the passion behind one of the country's strongest, though most infrequently-contested rivalries.

Indeed, the two sides have not met in a league fixture since 2001, with City's sustained status as a second-tier side after the turn of the millennium ensuring that encounters arrive at a real premium. The gap between the two sides was only widened last season when Rovers suffered relegation to League Two, whereas City enjoyed a successful campaign by making it to the Championship play-off semi-finals.

So, although the rivalry is seldom played out these days - much to the frustration of fans either side of the Bristolian divide, of course - the passion behind this fixture remains incredibly strong. These are two clubs with proud, loyal and vocal supporters, and FLW decided to ask ChatGPT which Bristol side has the louder fanbase.

AI thinks Bristol City fans are louder than Bristol Rovers'

AI accounted for a number of mitigating factors behind its decision, which will naturally split plenty of opinion in Bristol.

It did note that Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of just 12,300, can often struggle to deliver a consistently strong atmosphere due to the ground size and crowd allocation.

However, AI praised the "highly spirited" traditional terrace volume at the Memorial Stadium, where the atmosphere can be rocking on its day.

But although AI has recognised just how vocal and passionate Gasheads can be, particularly in the Polar Terrace, it believes it can be inconsistent. Therefore, as per AI, Bristol City have the edge over their bitter cross-city rivals in terms of louder fans.

It paid close attention to Ashton Gate's renowned South Stand, which includes a dedicated signing section and houses the club's 'Section 82' group of supporters.

That, along with the fact City have enjoyed a more fruitful recent history than their rivals, are two key reasons.

Of course, if Rovers were in the Championship, then there is every chance they would generate an equally impressive atmosphere - or even usurp what's on offer at Ashton Gate, and its capacity of 27,000 also helps massively.

Bristol City's Ashton Gate has one of the better Championship home atmospheres

There are some really strong home atmospheres throughout the Championship in the 2025/26 campaign. The likes of Birmingham City, Derby County, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday are all renowned for generating a consistently strong home atmosphere.

But Ashton Gate's is not to be sniffed at either - when the place is rocking, it's certainly one of the finest cauldrons of noise in the second-tier and was particularly loud in Severnside Derby matches against Cardiff City before the Bluebirds' relegation to League One at the end of last season.

You can also find a strong atmosphere at the Memorial Stadium, of course, and Bristol Rovers supporters will hope to be boosted by on-pitch success in the form of a promotion bid back to League One at the first attempt.

For now, though, AI's judgment call feels a fair one.