List of sports rivalries



A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes, affecting participants, management, and supporters all to varying degrees.

The intensity of the rivalry can range anywhere from a light hearted banter to serious violence. A rivalry that gets out of control can lead to fighting, hooliganism, rioting and some instances with career-ending and even fatal consequences. In the "Football War", along with other factors, it was suggested to have been the tipping point in leading to military conflicts.

One of the first known sports rivalries occurred in the Roman Empire between the Blues and the Greens, and the minor teams of the Reds and Whites, each of which were chariot racing clubs competing at the Hippodrome in Constantinople. The rivalry took on political tones as well, coming close to deposing the Roman Emperor Justinian in 532 CE in a riot and the suppression of the riot killed tens of thousands of people.

Owners have been known to encourage rivalries as they tend to improve game attendance and television ratings for rivalry matches. Clubs can reduce fan aggression surrounding rivalry games by acknowledging rather than downplaying the conflict because the rivalry is an integral part of fan identity.

Games between two rivals that are based in areas of close geographical proximity are often known as a local derby, or simply just a derby ; a sporting event between two teams from the same town, city or region. The term is usually connected with association football and the media and supporters will often refer to this fixture as "Derby Day".

The term "derby" possibly originated from the Derby, a horse race in England, founded by the 12th Earl of Derby in 1780. The 19th Earl has since claimed the Derby name was originally only given to one other sporting event: fixtures between St Helens at one end of the family's Knowsley estate and Wigan at the other.

The other theory as to the name's origin involves Shrovetide football, an early, unofficiated version of both association and rugby football. It was first played in the town of Derby prior to Medieval times. From as early as the 12th century it was known to have been played in Ashbourne. It was a chaotic and exuberant affair that involved the whole town, often resulting in fatalities. The goals were at Nuns Mill in the north and the Gallows Balk in the south of the town, and much of the action took place in the River Derwent or the Markeaton Brook. Nominally the players came from All Saints' and St Peter's parishes, but in practice the game was a free-for-all with as many as 1,000 players. A Frenchman who observed a match in 1829 wrote in horror, "if Englishmen call this play, it would be impossible to say what they call fighting". Shrovetide football is still an annual event in the town of Ashbourne.

Since at least as early as 1840 'derby' has been used as a noun in English to denote any kind of sporting contest. Other names for derbies include Clásicos in certain parts of the world and crosstown rivalries in the United States.

Rivalries do not always stem from the sharing of an area. Hostilities can occur for different reasons, such as in the case of El Clásico with tensions between fans with a background of political differences. Frequent meetings in important games between teams can also lead to unpleasantries.

International rivalries

 * Australia–England sports rivalries
 * India–Pakistan sports rivalries
 * Australia–New Zealand sports rivalries
 * Canada–United States sports rivalries
 * Japan–South Korea sports rivalries

Bandy
In Swedish bandy, derby games are often played on Saint Stephen's Day.

Dominican Professional Baseball League

 * Santo Domingo rivals: Leones del Escogido vs. Tigres del Licey

Central League

 * Yomiuri Giants vs. Hanshin Tigers on a game named "The Classic Series" (伝統の一戦 in Japanese).
 * Yomiuri Giants vs. Tokyo Yakult Swallows on a game named "Tokyo Series".

KBO League

 * KIA Tigers vs. Samsung Lions on a game named "88 Expressway Series".
 * Doosan Bears vs. LG Twins on a game named "Jamsil Series".
 * Lotte Giants vs. NC Dinos on a game named "Nakdonggang Derby".
 * Kiwoom Heroes vs. Doosan Bears or LG Twins on a game named "Seoul Series".

Chinese Professional Baseball League

 * CTBC Brothers vs. Wei Chuan Dragons on a game named "Dragon-Elephant Derby" (龍象大戰 in Chinese).
 * CTBC Brothers vs. Fubon Guardians on a game named "Bank holding Derby" (金控大戰 in Chinese).

Mexican Baseball League

 * Diablos Rojos del México (Mexico City Red Devils) vs. Tigres de Quintana Roo (Tigers) on a game named "Civil War Derby" ("Guerra Civil" in Spanish).
 * Saraperos de Saltillo (Saltillo Sarapemaker's) vs. Vaqueros Laguna (Torreon Lagoon Cowboys) on a game named "Coahuila's Metropolitan Derby" ("Clásico metropolitano de Coahuila" in Spanish).
 * Pericos de Puebla (Puebla Parrots) vs. Rojos del Águila de Veracruz (Veracruz Red Eagles) on a game named "Center rivalry" ("Rivalidad del centro" in Spanish).
 * Diablos Rojos del México (Mexico City Red Devils) vs. Péricos de Puebla (Puebla Parrots) on a game named "Anahuac Derby" ("Clásico de Ánahuac" in Spanish).
 * Saraperos de Saltillo (Saltillo Sarapemaker's) vs. Sultanes de Monterrey (Monterrey Sultans) on a game named "North of Mexico Derby" ("Clásico del Norte" in Spanish).

Mexican Pacific League

 * Naranjeros de Hermosillo (Hermosillo Orange Growers) vs. Tomateros de Culiacán (Culiacan Tomato Growers) on a game named "Derby of the Pacific Coast" ("Clásico del Pacífico" in Spanish).
 * Charros de Jalisco (Jalisco Charros) vs. Venados de Mazatlán (Mazatlan Deers) on a game named "Rivalry of the west" ("Rivalidad de Occidente" in Spanish).

Minor League Baseball

 * Mercer Cup: Bluefield Blue Jays vs. Princeton Rays

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

 * Leones del Caracas (Caracas Lions) vs. Navegantes del Magallanes (Magellan Navigators)
 * Leones del Caracas (Caracas Lions) vs. Tiburones de La Guaira (La Guaira Sharks)

Argentina

 * Ferro Carril Oeste vs Atenas
 * San Lorenzo vs Ferro Carril Oeste
 * San Lorenzo vs Boca Juniors
 * G.E.P.U. vs Atenas
 * Clásico porteño: Obras vs Ferro Carril Oeste
 * Argentinian derby: Peñarol vs Quilmes
 * Córdoba Derby: Atenas vs Instituto
 * San Nicolás derby: Belgrano vs Regatas
 * Bahía Blanca derby: Estudiantes (BB) vs Olimpo
 * Corrientes derby: Regatas Corrientes vs San Martín
 * Santiago del Estero derby: Club Ciclista Olímpico vs Quimsa
 * Sunchales derby: Libertad vs Unión de Sunchales
 * Santa Fe derby: Colón vs Unión
 * This is also a football rivalry.
 * General Pico derby: Independiente vs Pico Football Club
 * La Pampa derby: All Boys (SR) vs Estudiantes (SR)
 * Paraná derby: Atlético Echagüe vs Juventud Sionista
 * Firmat derby: Argentino (F) vs Firmat Foot Ball Club
 * Junín derby: Argentino de Junín vs Club Ciclista Juninense
 * Tres Arroyos derby: Huracán de Tres Arroyos vs Costa Sud
 * Comodoro Rivadavia derby: Gimnasia (CR) vs Federación Deportiva
 * Pergamino derby: Gimnasia (P) vs Argentino (P)
 * Clásico de la Comarca: Deportivo Viedma vs Atenas de Patagones
 * Clásico Uruguayense: Tomás de Rocamora vs Parque Sur

Australia

 * The Derby of Distance: Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers
 * Although this rivalry is actually an international rivalry, it plays out within the Australia-based National Basketball League. The Breakers have been an NBL member from the league's formation.
 * Melbourne United vs Sydney Kings

Croatia

 * Croatian Derby: Cibona vs Split
 * Classic derby: Cibona vs. Zadar

China
Guangdong has 11 CBA league titles, more than any other team in history, so it is very evident that they would have a lot of rivalries within the CBA.
 * Northeastern Derby: Liaoning Flying Leopards vs Jilin Northeast Tigers
 * Beijing Derby: Beijing Ducks vs Beijing Royal Fighters
 * Chinese Classic: Beijing Ducks vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
 * Derby of Champions: Liaoning Flying Leopards vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
 * Battle of the Dynasties: Bayi Rockets vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
 * Guangdong Derby: Shenzhen Leopards vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
 * Xinjiang Flying Tigers vs Guangdong Southern Tigers

France

 * Le Classique: Pau-Orthez vs Limoges
 * Greater Paris Derby: Nanterre vs Metropolitans 92
 * Alsace-Lorraine Derby: Nancy vs Strasbourg

Germany

 * German Classic: Alba Berlin vs Bayern Munich vs Brose Bamberg

Greece

 * Derby of the eternal enemies: Panathinaikos vs. Olympiacos
 * Derby of Northern Greece: Aris vs. PAOK

Hong Kong
These are active Hong Kong A1 rivalries:
 * Derby of Classics: South China vs. Winling
 * South-East Clash: Eastern vs. South China
 * Winling-Eastern Rivalry: Winling vs. Eastern

These are high school sports rivalries, but are primarily contested in basketball:
 * Diocesan Boys School vs. Ying Wa College

Israel

 * Tel Aviv derby: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv
 * Derby of Israel: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Hapoel Jerusalem
 * Tel Aviv vs. Haifa: Maccabi Tel Aviv or Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Haifa or Hapoel Haifa

Italy

 * Bologna Derby: Fortitudo Bologna vs Virtus Bologna
 * Lombardy Derby: Olimpia Milano vs Varese vs Cantù
 * Veneto Derby: Treviso vs Reyer Venezia
 * Rome Derby: Virtus Roma vs Stella Azzurra Roma
 * Piedmont Derby: Auxilium Torino vs Biella vs Junior Casale
 * Via Emilia Derby: Reggiana vs Fortitudo Bologna or Virtus Bologna

Japan

 * Tohoku Derby (basketball): Akita Northern Happinets vs Sendai 89ers

Korea Republic

 * S-Derby: Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Seoul SK Knights
 * Daegu Derby: Daegu KOGAS Pegasus vs Goyang Orion Orions

Lebanon

 * Derby Beirut: Al Riyadi vs Sagesse

Lithuania

 * Rytas vs Žalgiris

North Macedonia

 * Skopje basketball derby: Rabotnički vs. MZT Skopje

Philippines
These are active Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rivalries:
 * SMC–MVP rivalry: Teams under the San Miguel Corporation vs. Teams under the Manny V. Pangilinan Group
 * Manila Clasico: Magnolia vs. Barangay Ginebra
 * Sibling Rivalry: San Miguel vs. Barangay Ginebra
 * Barangay Ginebra vs Meralco (Ginebra–Meralco rivalry)
 * TNT vs Barangay Ginebra
 * Magnolia vs. Rain or Shine

These are the historical rivalries in the PBA:
 * Crispa Redmanizers vs. Toyota

These are active Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League rivalries:
 * Bacoor vs. Imus
 * Nueva Ecija vs. San Juan
 * San Juan vs. Davao Occidental
 * Caloocan vs. Valenzuela
 * Pampanga vs. Zamboanga
 * Bataan vs. Laguna

These are college sports rivalries, but are primarily contested in basketball:
 * Ateneo vs. La Salle (The Ateneo–La Salle rivalry)
 * San Beda vs. Letran (The San Beda–Letran rivalry)
 * La Salle vs. UST (The La Salle–UST rivalry)
 * The Battle of Intramuros: Letran vs. Mapua
 * The Battle of the East/Morayta: FEU vs. UE
 * San Beda vs. San Sebastian (The San Beda–San Sebastian rivalry)
 * The Battle of Katipunan: Ateneo vs. UP
 * Letran vs. San Sebastian (The Letran–San Sebastian rivalry)
 * UC vs. UV

Russia

 * Moscow derby: Khimki vs CSKA Moscow
 * Moscow region derby: Khimki Moscow vs. Triumph Lyubertsy
 * Volga derby: BC Nizhny Novgorod vs. BC Krasny Oktyabr

Slovenia

 * Slovenian Classic: Krka vs Olimpija

Serbia

 * Eternal Derby: Crvena zvezda vs. Partizan

Spain

 * El Clásico: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
 * Basque derby: Baskonia vs. Bilbao, can also include GBC
 * Canary Islands derby: Canarias vs Gran Canaria
 * Madrid derby: Real Madrid vs Estudiantes
 * Catalan derby: Joventut vs Barcelona
 * Andalusian derby: Málaga vs Real Betis
 * Galician derby: Obradoiro vs Breogán, can also include Ourense or Coruña

Turkey

 * Istanbul Derby: Galatasaray vs Fenerbahçe, can also include Darüşşafaka, Anadolu Efes, Istanbul BB and Beşiktaş
 * Ankara Derby: Türk Telekom vs TED Ankara Kolejliler

Mexico
ONEFA/CONADEIP (National College Association of American Football/National College Sports Commission of Private Institutions)
 * Clásico Estudiantil (Student Derby): Pumas Dorados de la UNAM vs Águilas Blancas del IPN
 * Clásico Estudiantil Regiomontano (Monterrey's Student Derby): Borregos Salvajes ITESM vs Auténticos Tigres

Canada

 * Panda Game: University of Ottawa Gee-Gees versus Carleton University Ravens
 * Shrum Bowl : University of British Columbia Thunderbirds versus Simon Fraser University Clan

Austria

 * Bregenz derby: Bregenz Handball vs. Alpla HC Hard

Belarus

 * Minsk derbies: Dinamo Minsk vs. SKA Minsk vs. Arkatron Minsk

Belgium

 * Liège derbies:
 * ROC Flémalle vs. Union Beynoise
 * ROC Flémalle  vs. Jeunesse Jemeppe (previously vs. Progrès HC Seraing).
 * Union Beynoise  vs. HC Herstal.
 * JS Herstal  vs. HC Herstal.
 * Union Beynoise vs. HC Visé BM.
 * Germanophone derby : HC Eynatten-Raeren vs. KTSV Eupen 1889
 * Limburg derbies: HB Sint-Truiden vs. Initia HC Hasselt vs. United HC Tongeren vs. Achilles Bocholt vs. Sporting Neerpelt-Lommel vs. Kreasa HB Houthalen vs. DHC Meeuwen.
 * Antwerp derbies: KV Sasja HC Hoboken vs. Olse Merksem HC vs. DHW Antwerpen vs. HV Uilenspiegel Wilrijk.
 * Hainuyé derby: EHC Tournai vs. Entente du Centre CLH
 * Flanders derby: HC DB Gent vs. HKW Waasmunster
 * Brussels derby: HC Kraainem vs. United Brussels HC
 * Charleroi derby: SHC Mont-sur-Marchienne vs. HBC Charleroi-Ransart

Croatia

 * Zagreb derbies:
 * RK Dubrava Zagreb vs. RK Medveščak Zagreb
 * Zagreb vs. RK Medveščak Zagreb
 * RK Dubrava Zagreb vs. Zagreb

Denmark

 * Copenhagen derbies: FC Copenhagen vs. AG København vs. KIF Kolding Copenhagen vs. Ajax Copenhagen

France

 * Val-de-Marne derby: US Créteil vs. US Ivry
 * Languedoc derby: Montpellier HB vs. USAM Nîmes

Germany

 * Central Hesse derby: TV Hüttenberg vs. HSG Wetzlar
 * Ostderby: SC Magdeburg vs. Füchse Berlin
 * Schleswig-Holstein derbies:
 * THW Kiel vs. SG Flensburg-Handewitt
 * GWD Minden vs. TuS Nettelstedt-Lübbecke
 * Nordderby:
 * SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs. HSV Hamburg
 * THW Kiel vs. HSV Hamburg

Israel

 * Rishon LeZion derby: Hapoel Rishon LeZion vs. Maccabi Rishon LeZion

Hungary

 * Hungarian derby: Veszprém vs. Szeged
 * Ferencváros vs. Győri ETO

North Macedonia

 * Skopje derby: RK Metalurg Skopje  vs. Vardar

Poland
Lomza Vive Kielce vs. Orlen Wisla Plock

Portugal

 * Derby de Lisboa: Sporting CP vs. Benfica

Romania

 * Steaua București vs. Dinamo București

Russia

 * Moscow : CSKA Moscow vs. MAI Moscow

Serbia

 * Belgrade derby: Red Star vs. Partizan

Slovenia

 * Styrian derby: RK Maribor Branik vs. RK Celje Pivovarna Laško or RK Trimo Trebnje vs. RK Jeruzalem Ormož

Spain

 * Catalan derby: Barcelona vs. Granollers

Sweden

 * Gothenburg region derby: Redbergslid vs. Sävehof
 * Ystad derby: IFK Ystad vs. Ystads IF

Ukraine

 * Zaporizhzhia derby: HC ZTR Zaporizhzhia vs. HC Motor Zaporizhzhia

ECHL

 * Fort Wayne Komets vs. Indy Fuel

Junior

 * Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) vs. Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)

Canadian Hockey League
Sarnia sting vs London knights ohl
 * Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
 * Calgary Hitmen vs. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
 * Cape Breton Eagles vs. Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
 * Everett Silvertips vs. Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
 * Flint Firebirds vs. Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
 * Guelph Storm vs. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
 * Kamloops Blazers vs. Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
 * Kelowna Rockets vs. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
 * Kitchener Rangers vs. London Knights (OHL)
 * Lethbridge Hurricanes vs. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
 * London Knights vs. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
 * Moncton Wildcats vs. Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
 * Moose Jaw Warriors vs. Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
 * Niagara IceDogs vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
 * Niagara IceDogs vs. Oshawa Generals (OHL)
 * Niagara IceDogs vs. Barrie Colts (OHL)
 * Niagara IceDogs vs. North Bay Battalion (OHL)
 * Niagara IceDogs vs. Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
 * Oshawa Generals vs. Peterborough Petes (OHL)
 * Prince Albert Raiders vs. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
 * Regina Pats vs. Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
 * Quebec Remparts vs. Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
 * Sarnia Sting vs. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
 * Saskatoon Blades vs. Regina Pats (WHL)
 * Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
 * Tri-City Americans vs. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
 * Vancouver Giants vs. Victoria Royals (WHL)

College

 * Air Force vs. Army
 * Alaska vs. Alaska–Anchorage
 * Battle for Pikes Peak: Air Force vs. Colorado College
 * Battle for the Gold Pan: Colorado College vs. Denver
 * Battle of Whitney Avenue: Quinnipiac vs. Yale
 * BU-Maine Rivalry: Boston University vs. Maine
 * Border Battle: Maine vs. New Hampshire
 * Clarkson vs. St. Lawrence
 * Cornell–Harvard rivalry: Cornell vs. Harvard
 * Dartmouth–New Hampshire rivalry: Dartmouth vs. New Hampshire
 * Green Line Rivalry: Boston College vs. Boston University
 * Harvard–Yale rivalry: Harvard vs. Yale
 * Holy War on Ice: Boston College vs. Notre Dame
 * Michigan vs. Michigan State
 * Michigan vs. Notre Dame
 * Michigan vs. Ohio State
 * Michigan Tech vs. Northern Michigan
 * Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
 * RPI vs. Union

Austria

 * Carinthian Derby: Klagenfurter AC vs. Villacher SV

Czech Republic

 * Prague derby: Slavia Prague vs. Sparta Prague
 * LHK Jestřábi Prostějov vs. AZ Havířov
 * LHK Jestřábi Prostějov vs. Zubr Přerov
 * LHK Jestřábi Prostějov vs. Draci Šumperk
 * HC Olomouc vs. LHK Jestřábi Prostějov
 * HC Pardubice vs. HC Hradec Králové
 * HC Poruba vs. Zubr Přerov
 * HC Vítkovice vs. Oceláři Třinec
 * Sparta Prague vs. Rytíři Kladno
 * VHK Vsetín vs. Berani Zlín

Finland

 * Satakunnan derby: Ässät Pori vs. Lukko Rauma
 * Stadin derby: HIFK Helsinki vs. Helsinki Jokerit
 * Tampereen derby: Tampere Ilves vs. Tampere Tappara
 * Savon derby: KalPa vs. Jukurit
 * Kasitien derby: Ässät vs. Sport
 * Länsirannikon derby: HC TPS vs. Lukko
 * Järvi-Suomen derby: KalPa vs. JYP

France

 * Gothiques d'Amiens vs. Dragons de Rouen
 * Brûleurs de Loups vs. Ours de Villard-de-Lans
 * Diables Rouges de Briançon vs. Rapaces de Gap

Germany

 * Düsseldorfer EG vs. Kölner Haie vs. Krefeld Pinguine
 * Löwen Frankfurt vs. Kassel Huskies
 * ERC Ingolstadt vs. Augsburger Panther

Italy

 * Hockey Club Torino vs. Hockey Club Valpellice

Norway

 * Vålerenga vs. Stavanger Oilers
 * Østfold-derby: Stjernen vs. Sparta Warriors
 * Mjøs-derby: Storhamar vs. Lillehammer IK
 * Oslo-derby: Vålerenga vs. Furuset
 * Klassikern: Vålerenga vs. Storhamar

Romania

 * Steaua București vs. Sport Club Miercurea Ciuc

Slovakia

 * HKm Zvolen vs. MsHK Zilina
 * MsHK Žilina vs. MHC Martin

Sweden

 * Stockholm derby – AIK vs. Hammarby IF vs. Djurgårdens IF
 * Western derby – Färjestad vs. Frölunda
 * Daladerby: Leksands IF vs. Mora IK
 * Southwest derby: Rögle BK vs. Malmö Redhawks
 * Västerbotten derby: IF Björklöven vs. Skellefteå AIK
 * Timrå IK vs. IF Sundsvall
 * Västernorrland derby: Timrå IK vs. Modo Hockey

Switzerland

 * Derby of Switzerland – HC Davos vs. EHC Kloten
 * Ticino derby: HC Lugano vs. HC Ambri-Piotta
 * Zähringen derby: HC Fribourg-Gottéron vs. SC Bern
 * Zuricher derby: Kloten Flyers vs. ZSC Lions
 * Berner derby : SC Bern vs. EHC Biel
 * Gotthard derby: EV Zug vs. HC Ambri-Piotta
 * Zürisee derby: ZSC Lions vs. Rapperswil-Jona Lakers
 * Romandy derby: HC Fribourg-Gottéron vs. Servette Geneva
 * Bündner derby: EHC Arosa vs. EHC Chur vs. HC Davos
 * Lemanic derby: Servette Geneva vs. Lausanne HC
 * Valais derby: HC Sierre-Anniviers vs. EHC Visp

Manufacturers, cars, teams
Mercedes || Scuderia Ferrari||Formula One||2017–present ||

Scotland

 * Scottish Speedway Derby: Edinburgh Monarchs vs. Glasgow Tigers

Volleyball

 * Misurata derby: Al-Sweihli vs. Al-Etihad Misurata
 * F2 Logistics Cargo Movers vs. Petron Blaze Spikers
 * Bộ Tư lệnh Thông tin - FLC vs. VTV Bình Điền Long An
 * V-Classic match: Daejeon Samsung Fire Bluefangs vs. Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers
 * Eczacıbaşı vs. VakıfBank S.K.