Fan Makeup in Croatia
Fan Makeup
Fan makeup is a phenomenon that transcends the simple traditions of supporting favorite teams. It has become a truly lucrative business, part of a global industry worth billions of dollars. This enthusiasm for colors, patterns, and spectacular effects reflects not only the passion of supporters but also a unique business opportunity for entrepreneurs and brands.
An Ancient Tradition Modernized
This is tribal makeup that dates back centuries, where ancient peoples painted their faces for war rites or celebrations. Today, this tradition has evolved to become an act of support and solidarity for a sports team. On match days, stadiums turn into real palettes of colors, each fan proudly displaying the colors of their favorite team.
A product has revolutionized fan makeup since 2006, Fanbrush®, the world's first multiline makeup pencil.
A Social and Cultural Phenomenon
More than just a fashion or a simple commercial aspect, sports fan makeup is a major social and cultural phenomenon worldwide. It allows supporters to identify and show their belonging to a sports community or support for a cause. The preparation ritual before the match reinforces the sense of belonging and collective fervor. Fans display their colors with passion during moments of emotion, joy, and sharing.
IN CROATIA, COLORS, FANS, AND SPORTS PASSION
The Colors of Croatia
Croatia is a country located in Southeast Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea. Its capital is Zagreb, and it has been a member of the European Union since July 1, 2013. Croatia is known for its picturesque landscapes, historic cities, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. The country has about 4 million inhabitants and its official language is Croatian.
The flag of Croatia consists of three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and blue from top to bottom. In the center of the flag is the Croatian coat of arms, a historical symbol composed of 25 alternating red and white squares. Above the coat of arms, a crown composed of five small shields representing five historical regions of Croatia (from left to right: the ancient kingdom of Croatia, the republic of Ragusa, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia) is present. The colors red, white, and blue are Pan-Slavic colors, symbolizing the unity and shared cultural heritage of Slavic peoples.
Sport in Croatia
Croatia is passionate about sports and excels in several disciplines.
Football is the most popular sport in Croatia. The national football team reached the final of the FIFA World Cup in 2018, finishing second, and also secured third place in 1998. Clubs like Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split are among the most famous and dominate the Croatian championship.
Handball is also very popular in Croatia, both for men and women. The men's national team has won several titles, including the World Championship in 2003 and Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004. Croatian clubs like RK Zagreb regularly perform well in European competitions.
Croatia has a rich basketball tradition, inherited from the former Yugoslavia. The national team has won several medals in international competitions, including a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics. Players like Dražen Petrović and Toni Kukoč are sports legends.
Tennis is another sport where Croatians shine. Goran Ivanišević won Wimbledon in 2001, and Marin Čilić won the US Open in 2014. Croatia also won the Davis Cup in 2005 and 2018.
Water polo is very popular in Croatia, with the men's national team winning several important titles, including the World Championship in 2007 and an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
In athletics, Croatia is known for its excellent discus and shot put throwers. Sandra Perković is a champion discus thrower, having won several Olympic and World Championship gold medals.
Fans, Passion, Colors, and Pride
Croatian supporters, often called "Vatreni" (which means "the Fiery Ones" in Croatian), are known for their passion, loyalty, and exceptional fervor during sports events.
Croatian supporters are among the most passionate in the world. They follow their teams with unwavering loyalty, whether for football, handball, basketball, or other sports. Their dedication is evident through their massive presence at home and away matches, often donning national colors and singing chants of support.
Several organized supporter groups play a key role in animating matches. Among them, the supporters of Dinamo Zagreb called Bad Blue Boys (BBB) are known for their energy and impressive choreographies. Similarly, the fans of Hajduk Split called Torcida are famous for their electric atmosphere and creative tifos.
Croatian supporters are known for their powerful chants and slogans, often inspired by the country's folklore and history. Croatian flags, red and white checkers, and accessories bearing national symbols are omnipresent in stadiums. Chants like "Moja Domovina" (My Homeland) and "Lijepa li si" (How Beautiful You Are) are often sung in unison.
The atmosphere during matches involving Croatian teams is often electrifying. Stadiums resonate with chants, drums, and horns, creating an intimidating environment for opposing teams. Tifos and fireworks add a visual spectacle to this sonic fervor.
Croatian supporters also gather in bars, public squares, and fan zones to watch matches on big screens when they cannot be present in stadiums. These gatherings create a festive and national communion atmosphere.
Major Sports Events in Croatia
Croatia hosts numerous major international sports events annually. Here is a list of the most important sports competitions and events held in the country:
Hrvatski Telekom Prva Liga (Football): https://prvahnl.hr/ The Hrvatski Telekom Prva Liga is the top division of the Croatian football championship. It includes the best clubs in the country, such as Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split, and is passionately followed by supporters.
SEHA League Final Four (Handball): https://seha-liga.com/ The SEHA League Final Four is a handball tournament that brings together the best teams of the SEHA League, including Croatian clubs like RK Zagreb. It is a significant event in the regional handball calendar.
ABA League (Basketball): https://www.aba-liga.com/ The ABA League is a basketball league that features the best teams from the Balkan region, including Croatian clubs like Cibona Zagreb and KK Zadar. The competition is known for its high level and intense atmosphere.
Hanžeković Memorial (Athletics): http://www.zagreb-meeting.com/ The Hanžeković Memorial is an internationally renowned athletics meeting held in Zagreb. It is part of the IAAF World Challenge circuit and attracts world-class athletes in various disciplines.
WRC Croatia Rally (Motorsport): https://rally-croatia.com/ The WRC Croatia Rally is part of the World Rally Championship (WRC). Held on the winding roads of Croatia, it features the world's best rally drivers in spectacular and technical events.
Kvarner Bay Cross (Motocross): https://www.kvarnerbaycross.com/ The Kvarner Bay Cross is an international motocross competition held in the Kvarner region. It is a major event for motorsport enthusiasts and attracts competitors from various countries.
Poreč Major (Beach Volleyball): https://www.fivb.com/en/beachvolleyball/worldtour/2021/major/porec The Poreč Major is a beach volleyball tournament that is part of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. Located on the Adriatic coast, it combines high-level competition and a summer atmosphere.
Split Marathon (Running): https://splitmarathon.com/ The Split Marathon is an annual running event held in Split. It offers several distances, including a marathon, a half marathon, and shorter races, giving participants a unique experience through the historic landscapes of the city.
Istria 100 (Trail Running): https://www.istria100.com/ The Istria 100 is a trail running race that traverses the picturesque region of Istria. Participants run various distances through mountain trails, forests, and historic villages.
FIS World Cup Sljeme (Alpine Skiing): https://www.fis-ski.com/ The FIS World Cup Sljeme is an alpine skiing competition held on Mount Sljeme. It focuses primarily on slalom events and attracts an enthusiastic crowd.
Major Events in 2024
The following events marked the sports news in Croatia in 2024, highlighting the dynamism and importance of sports in the country.
Hrvatski Telekom Prva Liga (Football): The Croatian football championship, known as Hrvatski Telekom Prva Liga, continued to attract attention throughout the year with captivating matches and remarkable performances from clubs like Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split.
SEHA League Final Four (Handball): This handball tournament saw the best teams from the SEHA League compete, with Croatian clubs among the favorites.
ABA League (Basketball): The ABA basketball league featured intense matches throughout the year, with Croatian teams like Cibona Zagreb and KK Zadar competing for the title.
WRC Croatia Rally (Motorsport): The Croatia Rally, part of the FIA World Rally Championship calendar, took place from April 18 to 21, 2024. This spectacular event attracted many fans and showcased the winding roads around Zagreb.
European Archery Indoor Championships (Archery): Held in Varaždin from February 19 to 24, 2024, this championship brought together Europe's best archers for intense indoor competitions.
IBA Boxing Champions’ Night (Boxing): This boxing event took place in Zagreb on March 1, 2024, featuring high-level fights between some of the best boxers in the region.
Division III A 2024 Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship (Ice Hockey): The Women's Ice Hockey Division III A World Championship took place in Zagreb from March 11 to 17, 2024, attracting teams from different countries competing for international glory.
European Youth Boxing Championships (Boxing): Poreč hosted these championships from April 2 to 15, 2024, providing a platform for young European boxing talents to showcase their skills.
World Synchronized Skating Championships (Synchronized Skating): The World Synchronized Skating Championships took place in Zagreb on April 5 and 6, 2024, bringing together figure skating teams for breathtaking synchronized performances.
European Karate Championships (Karate): Zadar hosted these championships from May 8 to 12, 2024, where karatekas from across Europe competed in various weight categories and styles.
Fan Merchandise
Sports Makeup: Exponential Growth
With the rising popularity of sports events and international competitions, the fan makeup market has experienced exponential growth. The market offer has adapted to this global market, with a range of individual makeup pencils for artistic makeup, Fanbrush® making last-minute makeup easy, sticker makeup kits, and even personalized makeup operations on match days.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to a recent market study, the sports makeup sector has seen a 15% annual sales increase over the past five years. This growth is fueled by the popularity of social media, where fans proudly share their looks and thus encourage the trend's virality.
The Role of Social Media and Influencers
Influencers play a crucial role in popularizing fan makeup. On platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, thousands of tutorials and transformation videos are shared, generating millions of views. These content creators inspire their followers to express their passion for sports through creative and bold looks.
Brands often collaborate with these influencers to promote their products, reaching a broader and more diverse audience. Dedicated hashtags like #FanFacePaint, #FanMakeup, or #GameDayFace have become viral trends, boosting engagement and product visibility.
Innovations and Product Offerings
Innovations in this field are numerous. Notably, Fanbrush®, the reference in fan makeup innovation. It is the world's first multiline makeup pencil, launched in 2006 in Europe. The product is now available for all clubs worldwide.
In terms of makeup, the products are also formulated to resist sweat, weather conditions, and even offer sun protection. Companies diversify by offering varied ranges suitable for all skin types and preferences, from classics to glitter and fluorescent effects.
Collaborations with sports teams and famous athletes also create limited editions and special collections that sell out quickly. For example, some football teams collaborate with brands to create makeup kits in official colors, often sold in club shops.
The fan sports makeup merchandising business is much more than a niche. It is a dynamic, expanding sector that combines passion, creativity, and innovation. As sports events continue to attract millions of spectators worldwide, fan makeup is only gaining popularity, promising a bright future for this unique industry.
Fanbrush® IN CROATIA
Fanbrush® has revolutionized fan makeup since 2006. It is the world's first multiline makeup pencil. This innovation was designed for easy and quick fan makeup at the last minute in a stadium, in a group, or at home.
The range includes +1000 references from 2 to 6 colors for flags in lines, crosses, checkerboards, etc.
Fanbrush® is fully customizable for all clubs or sponsors of national or local teams. For example, Fanbrush is present at European sports competitions with major sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Lidl, adidas, Heineken, etc.
Whatever type of supporter you are, we have your Fanbrush®.
Learn more: www.fanbrush.com
Fanbrush® alongside fans since 2006
Whether in the form of supporter makeup, powder thrown in fun runs, or body paint in Rainbow parades, color is now an integral part of sports, festive, or protest events worldwide. Our success story began with the launch of Fanbrush® in Europe in 2006.
Fanbrush® is the world's first multiline makeup pencil. A product made in France, protected by trademarks and patents.
Our product is now distributed in over 21 countries: Europe, USA, India, Australia, Japan. We can export to any other country. With +1000 references and limitless combination possibilities, we can create any new reference on demand.
To discover our products or contact us, visit our website: https://www.fanbrush.com