–Tifo Design for Los Caballeros Reales | Real Salt Lake Home Opener 2025

When the Tifo Council of Los Caballeros Reales approached me ahead of Real Salt Lake’s 2025 home opener, the goal was clear: create a tifo that would not only command attention in the stadium but embody the spirit, pride, and fierce loyalty of the supporters.

As lead designer, I set out to craft a visual that was bold, symbolic, and unmistakably ours—a rallying cry for both club and community.

The Creative Journey

The project began with a simple yet powerful phrase: “This is OUR Place.” The first drafts featured a deep red backdrop and block lettering, but we quickly recognized a need for greater contrast and legibility. We shifted to a white fabric background—easier to paint on and more effective for visibility in a packed stadium.

From there, we dove deep into concept refinement. The slogan evolved through several iterations—“Our Home, Our Riot,” “The Riot Reigns”—each aiming to capture the identity of Los Caballeros Reales and the energy of the RioT (Real Salt Lake’s stadium nickname). After rounds of council feedback, one phrase rose above the rest:

“Start the Riot.”

It was direct, electric, and perfectly aligned with the passion that defines matchdays on the Wasatch Front.

Symbolism & Design Elements

The final design centers around a bold, armored knight—representing loyalty, strength, and defiance, core to the identity of Los Caballeros Reales. His stance is firm, shield raised, ready to defend the RioT.

Behind him, a stylized mountain range evokes the Utah landscape, anchoring the piece in local pride. At the heart of the shield lies a crowned lion, a nod to the club’s theme of royalty, the mascot Leo, and their enduring honor and valor.

Colors were chosen deliberately to tie in to the club as well as signify the themes we were expressing in the design:

• Crimson red for passion

• Gold for legacy

• Royal blue for unity

• White for clarity and contrast

Typography was drawn from medieval scripts—bold, ornate, and legible from across the stadium.

Matchday Impact

On March 1st, 2025, the finished tifo was unveiled to 24,000 fans at America First Field and countless viewers on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. As the knight rose, so did the crowd’s roar. The message was unmistakable:

This is our home. And we’re ready to start the riot.

This project is a testament to what can be achieved when supporter culture, community storytelling, and intentional design come together. It remains one of my proudest contributions to the Real Salt Lake matchday experience—a visual anthem for the people who bring the noise every week.