Why are Barcelona fans called “Culés”? The answer dates back to the early 20th century, when FC Barcelona played at its Carrer de la Indústria ground. The stadium could not accommodate everyone who wanted to watch the club, so some supporters sat along the surrounding wall, with people outside seeing rows of backsides above it.
The sight led to the nickname “Culés,” derived from the Catalan word “cul,” meaning backside. What began as a simple description eventually became a proud part of Barcelona’s identity. Today, Culé is widely used to describe FC Barcelona supporters and remains closely linked to the club’s history and culture.
What Does “Culé” Mean, and Where Did the Term Come From?
The word “Culé” refers to a supporter of FC Barcelona, while its Catalan form, “Culer,” comes from the word “cul,” meaning “bottom” or “backside.” The nickname is closely linked to the club’s old ground on Carrer de la Indústria, where supporters sitting along the top of the stadium wall could be seen from the street.
The Meaning Behind “Culé”
The etymology of “Culé” is rooted in Catalan. FC Barcelona explains that “Culer” comes from the Catalan word for “bottom,” while LaLiga notes that “Culers” is the Catalan form and “Culés” is the Spanish form. In simple terms, it describes people whose backsides could be seen from outside the stadium.
This gives the term a surprisingly literal connection to Barcelona supporters history. Unlike many football nicknames that come from a club’s colours, players or achievements, the FC Barcelona nickname origin is tied directly to the way fans watched matches more than a century ago.
How Carrer de la Indústria Created the Nickname
The story goes back to 1909, when FC Barcelona moved to a new ground on Carrer de la Indústria, now known as Carrer París. The stadium was initially able to hold around 1,500 spectators. A two-level wooden stand was later built, taking capacity to about 6,000.
As Barcelona’s popularity grew, the stadium could no longer comfortably accommodate everyone who wanted to watch the team. Some supporters sat along the upper edges and surrounding wall. From the street, passers-by could see the backsides of those spectators lined up above the wall. That unusual view gave rise to “Culers,” which eventually became commonly known in Spanish as “Culés.”
The stadium remained Barcelona’s home from 1909 until 1922, making the Carrer de la Indústria Barcelona story an important part of the club’s early development.
The Story of Carrer de la Indústria: How a Street Wall Created an Icon
The story of why Barcelona fans are called “Culés” began in 1909, when FC Barcelona moved to a new ground on Carrer de la Indústria in Barcelona’s Eixample district. The site, now associated with Carrer de París, became the club’s home until 1922.
The stadium initially held around 1,500 spectators before a two-level stand increased capacity to about 6,000. As Barça’s popularity grew, the ground regularly became crowded, with some supporters sitting along the top of the outer wall to watch matches.
This created the unusual scene that gave Barcelona supporters their famous nickname. From the street, passers-by could see rows of fans sitting above the wall, with their backsides visible. The Catalan word “cul” refers to the backside, leading to “culers,” while “Culés” became the familiar Spanish form.
The stadium was eventually replaced as Barcelona’s following grew, but its legacy remained. What began as a visual description of supporters at an old stadium became an enduring part of Barça’s identity.
How Did “Culé” Become the Official Term for Barcelona Supporters?
The term “Culé” gradually evolved from a simple description of Barcelona supporters into a recognised part of the club’s identity. Its roots trace back to the Carrer de la Indústria ground, where fans sitting along the stadium wall inspired the Catalan term “Culers.” LaLiga explains that “Culés” became the more familiar Spanish form of the nickname. As Barça’s following grew during the early 20th century, the nickname became increasingly associated with its supporters.
By the 1920s, the term was already established within the club’s growing fan culture. FC Barcelona’s historical records identify “culers” as the name used for its supporters during this period. The nickname later took on a more positive meaning. FC Barcelona notes that “culer” was initially used in a derogatory way, but supporters eventually embraced it and became proud to call themselves “Culers.”
That cultural shift became especially clear in 2014, when the club launched its “Sóc Culer” campaign, directly presenting the term as an expression of Barça supporter identity. Strictly speaking, there is no single date when “Culé” became an official term. Its adoption happened gradually through popular use, fan acceptance and later institutional recognition.
Culé Pride: From Mockery to Badge of Honour
The nickname “Culé” was not always a term of pride. FC Barcelona explains that “Culer” originally had a derogatory meaning because it referred to the backsides of supporters visible from outside the old Carrer de la Indústria stadium. Over time, however, Barça supporters adopted the term themselves and turned it into a positive part of their identity.
This change shows how a nickname can move from mockery to belonging. Today, “Culé” is commonly used by Barcelona supporters themselves, including the club, which used the phrase “Sóc Culer,” meaning “I’m a Barça supporter,” in a 2014 campaign celebrating its 115th anniversary.
Are There Similar Nicknames for Fans of Other Football Clubs?
Barcelona is not alone in having a distinctive supporter nickname. Real Madrid fans are commonly called “Merengues,” linked to the white colour of the club’s shirts, while “Vikingos” is another established nickname. Atlético Madrid supporters are known as “Colchoneros,” a reference to the red and white stripes of their traditional shirts. Athletic Club supporters are called “Leones,” or Lions, because of the legend surrounding San Mamés.
Unlike these examples, the FC Barcelona nickname origin is particularly unusual because “Culé” comes from the physical sight of supporters at an old stadium rather than club colours or a sporting tradition.
