BA - The Club - The seven barmiest armies

The sea of red – British and Irish Lions

Sport: Rugby

Stick on a red shirt and you’ll be welcomed by thousands of rugby fans (in whichever country they’re touring – New Zealand is next up in 2017) who enjoy drinking, singing and being very passionate in their support. And don’t worry about knowing ‘the songs’ – as long as you can shout ‘Lions’ a lot, you’ll fit in fine.

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Become a cardinal – St Louis Cardinals

Sport: Baseball

The Missouri-based Cardinals are the self-professed best fans in baseball, with a reputation for cheering opposition plays, selling more than 90 per cent of every game and turning the town red on game day. Don a scarlet top and join in the fun.

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Boca Juniors fans – La Boca

Sport: Football

The chants echoing through Buenos Aires’ whole La Boca neighbourhood before a game will whet your appetite, while the sheer energy that goes into the drumming and chanting throughout the game will live with you for years. Be warned, though, don’t wear red and white (the colours of Boca’s major rivals River Plate) to La Bombonera.

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Chiefs at play – Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri, US

Sport: American football

The NFL tailgating scene should be on every fan’s bucket list, and it’s the Kansas City blowout that I recommend. Chiefs’ fans have been known to head to the game two days ahead of time, while recently a busload of strippers (fully clothed, mind) made an interesting side note to the regular incredible slow-cooked meat and ice-cold beers.

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Join the petrolheads

Sport: MotoGP

MotoGP is the place to go for a petrol fix, among knowledgeable fans who understand their sport and enjoy a long weekend watching it. There’s a better atmosphere than you get at F1, and the joy of arriving in a small town and taking it over for the whole weekend is difficult to beat. Pick a circuit and prepare to party.

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Barmy Army – England cricket’s unofficial 12th man

Sport: Cricket

A five-day Test match can drag, but these boys are loud, proud and fun, singing songs (from their own songbook!) backed by a band. “We want to make cricket more fun and popular,” they say, “even if it’s just by people laughing at us.” We can get on board with that.

Photo: Getty Images

Support a continent – The Ryder Cup fans

Sport: Golf

The Ryder Cup brings out the best and worst in players and fans alike, and it’s difficult to match the joy of supporting your entire continent for three whole days. Fancy dress, flags, player interaction and friendly (for the most part) banter make it one of the most enjoyable sporting weekends you’ll ever experience.

Photo: Getty Images

The seven barmiest armies

The sea of red – British and Irish Lions

Become a cardinal – St Louis Cardinals

Boca Juniors fans – La Boca

Chiefs at play – Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri, US

Join the petrolheads

Barmy Army – England cricket’s unofficial 12th man

Support a continent – The Ryder Cup fans

The sea of red – British and Irish Lions

Become a cardinal – St Louis Cardinals

Boca Juniors fans – La Boca

Chiefs at play – Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri, US

Join the petrolheads

Barmy Army – England cricket’s unofficial 12th man

Support a continent – The Ryder Cup fans

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