![]() | This article may contain unverified or indiscriminate information in embedded lists.(September 2025) |
A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes, affecting participants, [1] management, and supporters all to varying degrees.
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 [2] because the rivalry is an integral part of fan identity. [3]
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 ( UK: /ˈdɑːrbi/ DAR-bee, US: /ˈdɜːrbi/ DUR-bee); a sporting event between two teams from the same town, city or region. In modern usage the term is usually connected with association football [4] and the media and supporters will often refer to this fixture as "Derby Day". [5] However, and unsurprisingly, the first recorded use of the term was to refer to major provincial horse races from a time when the Epsom Derby, was not only England’s major sporting event but also a huge social occasion.
For example, the Western Times, 2 June 1860, refers to a race meeting at Haldon, Exeter, as their "local Derby Day." The Hull Packet, 31 May 1861, calls the Beverley, Hull and East Riding Races "our local Derby." It would appear that the term was already in use elsewhere in the world - The Ballarat Star (Victoria, Australia), 6 December 1860 edition, mentions that races in Dowling Forest were "the local Derby day."
The metaphor evidently seeped into common usage, as non-racing events also earned the epithet. An athletic club fete in Croydon (Norwood News, 22 May 1869), a rowing regatta at Bathgate, Scotland (Lothian Courier, 26 September 1874) and even a hotly-contested local government election (Croydon Advertiser, 27 February 1875) were all described as a local Derby.
As club football (Rugby and Association codes) gained popularity in the 1870s and 1880s the phrase migrated to that pastime. The Preston Herald of 14 March 1883 said of a fixture between Low Moor and Clitheroe that "when it becomes known that the clubs are likely to meet, popular feeling runs high - so high, in fact, that the occasional is recognised as the local Derby day".
The Epsom Derby being an annual event, early usage tended to refer only to the biggest occasion of the year in a certain location - the Widnes Weekly News (16 March 1889) was moved to describe a match between Widnes FC and the touring New Zealand Native touring rugby team as "the great day of the season at Widnes - the local Derby." However, in football terms, the emphasis in the phrase had already shifted from the Derby aspect (a red letter day in the sporting or social calendar) to the local element - any football match involving nearby clubs, no matter how relatively unimportant the fixture might otherwise be. Hence the Burnley Express (15 December 1888) felt able to report that "for three weeks in succession the Langroyd team will be engaged in local "Derbies." First of all, Union Star; then Nelson, at Seed Hill; and afterwards Brierfield at Colne."
In rugby football, an early example of the term for that code appears in the Wigan Observer of 11 December 1885 which noted that "the local "Derby" in the football circles of Pemberton was brought off on Saturday last, when Highfield and Pemberton met."
Since at least as early as 1840 'derby' has been used as a noun in English to denote any kind of sporting contest. [6] Other names for derbies include Clásicos in certain parts of the world and crosstown rivalries in the United States.
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.
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.
1st party | 2nd party | Discipline(s) | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | Multi-discipline | 1925–present | Finland–Sweden Athletics International | |
![]() | ![]() | Sprinting | 1960s—present | [32] [33] [34] [35] | |
![]() | ![]() | Long-distance running | 1968–present | [20] [36] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1992–1996 | ||
![]() | ![]() | 2004–2020 | Lee–Lin rivalry |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1990s–present |
In Swedish bandy, derby games are often played on Saint Stephen's Day. [37]
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.
These are active Hong Kong A1 rivalries:
These are high school sports rivalries, but are primarily contested in basketball:
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bill Russell | Wilt Chamberlain | 1959–1969 | Celtics–Lakers rivalry | [86] |
Magic Johnson | Larry Bird | 1979–1991 | Celtics–Lakers rivalry | [86] |
Michael Jordan | Bill Laimbeer | 1988–1991 | Bulls–Pistons rivalry | [87] [88] |
Kobe Bryant | Shaquille O'Neal | 1996–2011 | Shaq–Kobe feud | |
Tim Duncan | 1999–2016 | Lakers–Spurs rivalry | ||
LeBron James | Kevin Durant | 2012 – present | Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry Lakers–Suns rivalry | |
Stephen Curry | 2015–Present | Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry Lakers–Warriors rivalry | [89] | |
Caitlin Clark | Angel Reese | 2023–present | Clark–Reese rivalry |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1976–1990 | — | [90] |
![]() ![]() | ![]() | 2013–present | — | [91] [92] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | [93] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2002 Ms. Olympia 2003 Ms. Olympia 2004 Ms. Olympia | [94] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1930s–2010s | Mexico–Puerto Rico boxing rivalry |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article(s) | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1877–present | The Ashes (Tests) | [101] |
![]() | ![]() | 2007–present | Bangladesh–India cricket rivalry (Overall) | [102] |
![]() | ![]() | 1946–present | Trans-Tasman Trophy (Tests) Chappell–Hadlee Trophy (ODI and T20I) | [103] |
![]() | ![]() | 1951–present | Anthony De Mello Trophy (Tests) Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (Tests) | |
![]() | ![]() | 1957–present | India–Pakistan cricket rivalry (Overall) | |
![]() | ![]() | 1960–present | Frank Worrell Trophy (Tests) | |
![]() | ![]() | 1963–present | Richards-Botham Trophy (Tests) | |
![]() | ![]() | 1996–present | Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Tests) India–Australia cricket rivalry (Overall) | |
![]() | ![]() | 1999–present | ||
![]() | ![]() | 2019–present | Benaud–Qadir Trophy (Tests) | |
![]() | ![]() | 2024–present | Crowe–Thorpe Trophy (Tests) | |
![]() | ![]() | 2018–present | Bangladesh–Sri Lanka cricket rivalry (Overall) | |
![]() | ![]() | 2024–present | Tangiwai Shield (Tests) |
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Bash League | Melbourne Renegades | Melbourne Stars | 2011–present | Melbourne Derby | |
Sydney Sixers | Sydney Thunder | 2011–present | Sydney Smash | [105] | |
Sheffield Shield | New South Wales | Queensland | 1892–present | ||
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dhaka Premier League | Abahani | Mohammedan | 1972–present | Dhaka Derby | |
Bangladesh Premier League | Dhaka Dynamites | Comilla Victorians | 2015–present | BPL Clásico | [106] |
Rangpur Riders | Fortune Barishal | 2024–present | North-South Derby | [107] | |
Chittagong Kings | Durbar Rajshahi | 2012–present | East-West Derby | [108] |
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
County Clubs | Middlesex | Surrey | London derby | [109] | |
Lancashire | Yorkshire | War of the Roses | [110] | ||
Warwickshire | Worcestershire | West Midlands derby | [111] | ||
Kent | Surrey | 1709--present | The Oldest Rivalry | [112] | |
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranji Trophy Irani Cup Vijay Hazare Trophy Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Karnataka | Tamil Nadu | 1934–present | Kaveri Derby | [113] [114] |
Delhi | Bombay | 1956–present | [115] | ||
Maharashtra | Bombay | 1960–present | Maratha Derby | [116] | |
Andhra | Hyderabad | 1954–present | Telugu derby | [117] | |
Indian Premier League | Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians | 2008–present | Chennai Mumbai Rivalry | |
Kolkata Knight Riders | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2008–present | Kolkata Bangalore Rivalry | ||
Chennai Super Kings | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2008–present | South Indian Derby |
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plunket Shield The Ford Trophy Men's Super Smash | Auckland | Canterbury | 1873–present |
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pakistan Super League | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | 2016–present | Karachi Kings–Lahore Qalandars rivalry | [118] |
League Name | 1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lanka Premier League | Galle Marvels | Jaffna Kings | 2022–present | LPL Clásico | |
Big Match | Royal College, Colombo | S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia | 1879–present | Royal–Thomian | [119] |
1st party | 2nd party | Discipline | Timespan | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | Pool | [120] [121] [122] | |
![]() | ![]() | Snooker | 1969–1988 | [123] |
![]() | 1972–1986 | |||
![]() | 1973–1989 | |||
![]() | 1979–1989 | |||
![]() | 1981–2007 | |||
![]() | 1987–2009 | |||
![]() | ![]() | 1986–2010 | ||
![]() | 1993–2011 | |||
![]() | 1995–2012 | |||
![]() | 1994–present | |||
![]() | 2002–present | |||
![]() | 2005–present |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | [124] | |
![]() | ![]() | — | [125] |
1st party (Years active) | 2nd party (Years active) | Timespan | Source |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1980–1989 | [86] |
![]() | ![]() | 1978–1993 | |
![]() | ![]() | 2006–2018 | [21] [168] [169] [170] |
![]() | ![]() | 2018–present | [171] [172] [173] |
![]() | ![]() | 2024–present |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | [174] |
1st party | 2nd party | Discipline | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team SoloMid | Cloud9 | League of Legends | 2013–2023 | [175] | |
Alliance | Natus Vincere | Dota 2 | 2013–2016 | [176] [177] | |
FaZe Clan | OpTic Gaming | Call of Duty, Counter-Strike | 2013–present | [178] [179] | |
T1 [a] | Royal Never Give Up [b] | League of Legends | 2013–2022 | ||
Edward Gaming | T1 | League of Legends | 2015–present | ||
Gen.G [c] | T1 | League of Legends | 2014–present | [180] [181] | |
SK Gaming | Virtus.pro | Counter-Strike | 2015–2018 | [182] [183] | |
KT Rolster | T1 | StarCraft: Brood War, League of Legends | 2004–present | The Telecom Wars | [184] |
G2 Esports | Fnatic | League of Legends | 2016–present | [185] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1947–present | India–Pakistan field hockey rivalry | [186] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jerry Rice | Deion Sanders | 1989–1996 | — | [213] |
Tom Brady | Peyton Manning | 2000–2016 | Brady–Manning rivalry | |
Eli Manning | 2006–2013 | Manning Bowl | ||
Josh Allen | Patrick Mahomes | 2018–present | Allen–Mahomes rivalry |
ONEFA/CONADEIP (National College Association of American Football/National College Sports Commission of Private Institutions) [214]
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Toronto Argonauts | 1873–present | Harold Ballard Trophy | [217] [218] |
Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Montreal Alouettes/Concordes | 1982–present | Classique | [219] [220] |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Saskatchewan Roughriders | 1936–present | Banjo Bowl | [221] |
Edmonton Elks | Calgary Stampeders | 1949–present | Battle of Alberta | [222] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Source |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | [223] |
![]() | –present | [224] | |
![]() | ![]() | –present |
Lomza Vive Kielce vs. Orlen Wisla Plock
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Source |
---|---|---|---|
Seabiscuit | War Admiral | 1938 | [246] |
Affirmed | Alydar | 1978–1979 | [247] |
Sunday Silence | Easy Goer | 1989 | [248] |
Hurricane Fly | Jezki | 2014 | [249] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article(s) | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() ![]() | 1954, but especially after 1972, to present | Summit Series 2008 IIHF World Championship final | [305] |
![]() | ![]() | 1920–present | Canada–United States rivalry | [306] |
![]() | ![]() | 1990–present | Canada–United States women's rivalry | [307] |
![]() | ![]() | 1973–present | Canada–United States junior rivalry | [308] |
![]() | ![]() | 1954, but especially after 1968, to 1993 | 1954 World Ice Hockey Championships | [309] |
![]() | ![]() | 1993–present | 1998 Winter Olympics gold medal game 2010 IIHF World Championship final | [309] |
![]() | ![]() | 1994–present | Czech Republic–Slovakia rivalry | |
![]() | ![]() | 1932–present | — | [310] [311] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article(s) | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 2005–present | Capitals–Penguins rivalry | [312] [313] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cornell | Princeton | 1922–present | Cornell–Princeton lacrosse rivalry | [314] |
Johns Hopkins | Loyola (MD) | 1939–present | Johns Hopkins–Loyola lacrosse rivalry | [315] [316] [317] |
Johns Hopkins | Maryland | 1895–present | Johns Hopkins–Maryland lacrosse rivalry | [318] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1988–2002 | – | [319] |
![]() | ![]() | 2008–2019 | – | [320] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() | ![]() | 2016–2018 | Dave Leduc vs. Tun Tun Min III | [332] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 2008–present | [11] | |
![]() | ![]() | 1964 | [11] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() ![]() | 1990–2000 | [333] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1985–1990 | [422] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1963–, especially 1996–present | [423] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Queensland Maroons | New South Wales Blues | First Rivalry Era 1908 to 1979, Modern Rivalry Era 1980 to present | [435] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1908 to present | Australia vs New Zealand in rugby league | [436] |
![]() | ![]() ![]() | 1907 to present | Australia–England rugby league rivalry | [437] |
![]() | ![]() ![]() | 1908 to present | [438] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Carroll | Paul Harragon | — | ||
Brad Fittler | Andrew Johns | — | ||
Andrew Johns | Brett Kimmorley | — | ||
Wendell Sailor | Adam MacDougall | — | ||
Benji Marshall | Johnathan Thurston | — | ||
Paul Gallen | Nate Myles | — | [439] | |
Sam Burgess | James Graham | — | [439] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Queensland Reds | New South Wales Waratahs | 1882–present | East Coast Derby | |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
CASI | SIC | 1935–present | El clasico de San Isidro | |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stag San José | Universitarios Rugby Club | 1980s–present | Superclasico | |
Universitarios Rugby Club | Liceo CR Waikalas | 2000s–present | Student Derby |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Racing 92 | Stade Français | 1892–present [ citation needed ] | Paris derby | [440] |
Stade Français | Stade Toulousain | 1903–present [ citation needed ] | French Derby or Le derby des Stades | [441] |
Bayonne | Biarritz | 1908–present [ citation needed ] | Basque derby | [442] |
Brive | Clermont | 1927–present [ citation needed ] | Massif Central derby | [443] |
Perpignan | Béziers | Derby du Languedoc-Roussillon | [444] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Leinster | Munster | 1875–present | History of rugby union matches between Leinster and Munster | |
University College Dublin | Trinity College Dublin (DUFC) | 1919–present | The Colours Match | [445] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Benetton | Zebre | 2012–present | Italian derby | [446] |
Rovigo | Petrarca | 1948 –present | Derby of Italy | [447] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
VRAC | Rugby El Salvador | 1988–present | Derbi vallisoletano | |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Derby name | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blues | Crusaders | 1996–present | El Clasico of New Zealand Rugby | ||
Blues | Chiefs | 1996–present | Battle of the Bombays | ||
Blues | Hurricanes | 1996–present | |||
Crusaders | Highlanders | 1996–present | Southern Derby | ||
Auckland | Canterbury | ||||
Auckland | North Harbour | Battle of the Bridge | |||
Auckland | Counties Manukau | Battle of the Bombays Part two | |||
Auckland | Waikato | Battle of the Bombays | |||
Canterbury | Tasman | Crusaders Derby | |||
Canterbury | Otago | ||||
Otago | Southland | Southern Derby |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 1921 to present | History of rugby union matches between New Zealand and South Africa | [448] |
![]() | ![]() | 1903 to present | History of rugby union matches between Australia and New Zealand Bledisloe Cup | [448] |
![]() | ![]() | 1905 to present | History of rugby union matches between New Zealand and Wales | [449] |
![]() | ![]() | 1881 to present | History of rugby union matches between England and Wales | [448] |
![]() | ![]() | 1906 to present | History of rugby union matches between England and France | [448] |
![]() | ![]() | 1871 to present | History of rugby union matches between England and Scotland | |
![]() | ![]() | 1933 to present | History of rugby union matches between Australia and South Africa | |
![]() | ![]() | 1924 to present | History of rugby union matches between Fiji and Samoa |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alinghi | BMW Oracle Racing | −2010 | 2010 America's Cup | [450] |
Ben Ainslie | Jonas Høgh-Christensen | −2012 | [451] [452] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [453] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [454] |
![]() | ![]() | −2014 | — | [455] [456] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [457] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [458] |
![]() | ![]() | 2001–2006 | — | [459] [460] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [461] |
![]() | ![]() | 1992–1998 | — | [462] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [463] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [464] |
![]() | ![]() | 2015–2019 | — | [465] [466] |
![]() | ![]() | 2017–present | — | [467] [468] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [469] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [469] |
![]() | ![]() | 2017–2020 | — | [470] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [471] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [472] |
![]() | ![]() | — | — | [473] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 2002–2008 | — | [474] |
![]() | ![]() | 2001–2011 | — | [474] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 2002–2010 | [480] | |
![]() | ![]() | — | [480] |
1st party | 2nd party | Timespan | Article | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | 2000–present | Duel in the Pool | [481] [482] [483] |
![]() | ![]() | 2012–present | [484] [485] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2004–2016 | [486] | |
![]() | ![]() | 1996 | [11] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2001–present | [487] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2008 | [11] | |
![]() | ![]() | 1976 | [11] | |
![]() ![]() | ![]() | 2008–present | [488] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2008–2012 | [489] [490] [491] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2014–present | [492] | |
![]() | ![]() | 2012, 2014–present | [493] |
An unsuspected feud between Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani burst into public view today as the American leader of the Tour de France angrily criticized the star Italian climber...