Derby in Lodz: LKS vs Widzew. Fans, Fights and Pyro in Poland 2024

ŁKS Łódź versus Widzew Łódź - one of the fiercest derbies in Poland, first played in 1926. We visited the derby in the beautiful textile-workers city on 18th of February 2024. After long negotiations the authorities allowed 900 Widzew away supporters to attend the match - under extremely strict security measures. One could feel the tension in Lodz throughout the derby day. Although the quality of football on the ground was rather poor (LKS lost 0:2 and remains last in the league) - the true highlight was the support by the fans from both sides. LKS is the oldest club of Lodz and before second World War it was much more popular than Widzew, which was only a small club of workers from one of city districts. In the eighties and nineties Widzew became one of the best teams in Poland and it gained popularity not only in Lodz but also in other parts of the country. Because of that LKS fans calls their rivals "peasants". However, nowadays both clubs have comparable amount of support in all social classes in Lodz. The fans of Widzew Łódź are having a coalition and friendship with fans from Ruch Chorzów, Elana Toruń and Wisła Kraków. ŁKS fans are supported by Zawisza Bydgoszcz and GKS Tychy.