AI names the 8 most overrated EFL Championship fanbases right now | OneFootball

We asked ChatGPT as to which are the 8 most overrated EFL Championship fanbases right now, but which club do you think came top of the list?

The age-old debate as to which club is the biggest in the Championship is likely to ramble on for a considerable amount of time, with plenty of talking points around the subject.

Factors such as history, fanbase size, average away following, recent form, and trophies won are just some of what fans regularly debate in an attempt to get their relevant point across.

Which fanbases are the most overrated in the second tier of English football at this moment in time though?

We asked ChatGPT as to which are the eight most overrated EFL Championship fanbases right now, and there's certain to be some names in this list that spark debate amongst different sets of supporters.

8 ? ? Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are flying high in the Championship this season, and it'll be interesting to see whether Boro can hold their nerve in the race for a timely promotion back into the Premier League.

ChatGPT has them in at number eight on the list for some of the most overrated set of supporters in the second tier, and issued the following assessment of the Boro fanbase.

"There’s a long-standing reputation that the Riverside is one of the tougher, more passionate grounds in the league—but in recent seasons (including 2025/26), a lot of fans and neutrals feel it doesn’t consistently live up to that image. They’re not a weak fanbase at all—but like a few others here, the perception (strong, intimidating, loud every week) is arguably a bit ahead of the current reality."

7 ? ? Wrexham

Wrexham's rise up the English football pyramid has been impressive, and, of course, helped by their multi-million pound owners, who haven't been shy in putting their money where their mouth is.

ChatGPT labelled their inclusion at number seven on our list as 'controversial', but highlighted reasons such as a smaller stadium, 'big media narrative', and global perception of the club compared to what we see in person at Wrexham.

"This is the controversial one. Huge global hype (Hollywood effect), but small stadium, newer fan growth, and a big media narrative, and they’re not a bad fanbase—but the global perception massively outweighs the current on-the-ground scale."

6 ? ? West Brom

The days of West Brom playing in the Premier League will feel a considerable amount of time away for the club's supporters, especially when they're in a relegation dogfight in the Championship nowadays.

The Baggies have always been relatively well followed across the country, but it's safe to say that ChatGPT doesn't rate them highly compared to other clubs, as they're in at number six on the list for being one of the most overrated fanbases in the Championship. ChatGPT issued a damning assessment of West Brom's fanbase, labelling the atmosphere created as 'underwhelming'.

"Consistently decent support, but rarely stands out. For a club constantly around promotion contention, the atmosphere is often described as underwhelming."

5 ? ? Stoke City

Stoke City were a nightmare for some Premier League clubs to come up against whilst the Potters were playing their football in the top-flight, and there have been some memorable games that will stand out amongst the club's fanbase.

However, it's been eight years since Stoke last played in the Premier League, and ChatGPT has them fifth on the list for the most overrated fanbases in the Championship.

"The “cold night at Stoke” aura is basically legacy branding now. In the current Championship era, that fear factor and intensity isn’t what it once was."

4 ? ? Sheffield Wednesday

It's slightly surprising to see ChatGPT having Sheffield Wednesday on this list, particularly with all the recent problems that have hampered any sort of progress the club were originally looking to make.

The Owls have already had their relegation from the Championship confirmed, and will be looking to return to the second tier at the first time of asking next season.

ChatGPT labelled Sheffield Wednesday as a 'massive club', which is something their supporters will certainly agree with, but highlighted the reasoning behind their inclusion at number four on the list for the most overrated fanbases in the Championship.

"Massive club + huge following—but a lot of their “elite fanbase” reputation leans heavily on history rather than consistent modern-day atmosphere."

3 ? ? Norwich City

Norwich City are the first team in the top-three for AI's most overrated fanbases in the Championship, with ChatGPT classing them as a 'yo-yo side', which is somewhat believable.

The Canaries have previously played in the Premier League, and will be hoping to continue their progress heading into next season, having shown much-needed improvement in the second-half of this year's league campaign.

"Iconic support historically, but in 2025/26 they’re another yo-yo side where the noise doesn’t always match the expectations or squad quality."

2 ? ? Southampton

Southampton fans have plenty of reasons to be positive, with the club looking to make a return to the Premier League this term, and the Saints are well-positioned to achieve just that.

However, in terms of their support, ChatGPT highlights the lack of atmosphere generated from the club's supporters, whilst also mentioning that the lack of noise doesn't match the promising signs that the team often show in the second tier.

"Parachute club with Premier League expectations—but the atmosphere hasn’t matched the pressure or size. Often described as flat given their situation."

1 ? ? Leicester City

Leicester City's demise has been evident this year, and it could still get worse for the Foxes between now and the end of the 2025/26 league campaign.

Long gone are the days of playing in the Premier League, and they will soon find themselves playing in League One. ChatGPT mentions a sense of entitlement amongst the Leicester City supporters, who they claim are still living off their title-winning success in the top-flight.

"Still living off the 2016 glow. Big club, yes—but a lot of fans (including rivals) feel the fanbase comes across entitled and less intense week-to-week now they’re back in the Championship."