What Is a Derby in Football? The Biggest Rivalries Explained
A derby is a football match between two rival teams, usually from the same city or region. The word is also used more loosely for any big rivalry. Derbies often matter more to supporters than their league position, because the result decides local pride until the next meeting.
Where does the word "derby" come from?
The origin is not certain. One popular explanation links it to the Epsom Derby, a famous English horse race, whose name came to describe any major sporting contest. Another points to a rough traditional football game played between rival parishes in the English town of Derby. Both stories are told widely, and neither has been settled for certain.
Europe's biggest rivalries
| Name | Teams | Country |
|---|---|---|
| El Clásico | Real Madrid vs Barcelona | Spain |
| Manchester derby | Manchester United vs Manchester City | England |
| North London derby | Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur | England |
| Merseyside derby | Liverpool vs Everton | England |
| Derby della Madonnina | AC Milan vs Inter | Italy |
| Derby della Capitale | Roma vs Lazio | Italy |
| Der Klassiker | Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund | Germany |
| Old Firm | Celtic vs Rangers | Scotland |
El Clásico and Der Klassiker are not local derbies in the strict sense, because the clubs come from different cities. They are national rivalries between the most successful teams in their countries, with El Clásico also carrying regional and political history.
South America
The Superclásico between Boca Juniors and River Plate in Buenos Aires is often described as one of the most intense rivalries in world football. In 2018 the two clubs met in the Copa Libertadores final for the first time, and the second leg was moved to Madrid after River fans attacked the Boca team bus. Learn about the competition in our Copa Libertadores guide.
South Asia
The Dhaka derby
In Bangladesh, the rivalry between Abahani and Mohammedan has long been the country's most famous football fixture. For generations, these matches divided families and neighbourhoods in Dhaka and drew huge attention nationwide. Read more in our guide to football in Bangladesh.
The Kolkata derby
Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have played one of Asia's oldest rivalries for more than a century. The fixture regularly attracts some of the largest crowds in Indian football, and many Bangladeshi fans follow it too, thanks to the shared Bengali culture and East Bengal's roots among migrants from present-day Bangladesh.
Why derbies are so unpredictable
- Emotion: intense atmosphere can lift a weaker team and unsettle a stronger one.
- Familiarity: rival players and coaches know each other well.
- Discipline: high stakes often mean more fouls and more cards.
Before your next derby, try the steps in how to preview a football match, including the Head to Head tab on EHScore.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest derby in the world?
There is no official answer. El Clásico probably has the largest global television audience, while Boca vs River is often named the most intense.
Is El Clásico a derby?
Not in the strict sense, because Madrid and Barcelona are different cities. It is usually called a rivalry, though many people use the word derby informally.
Why is it called the Old Firm?
The name is commonly linked to the commercial benefits both Glasgow clubs received from their rivalry, although its exact origin is debated.