List of sports rivalries in the United Kingdom
This is a list of the main sporting local derbies and other sports rivalries in the UK.
Association football derby matches in the United Kingdom are often heated affairs, and violence is not uncommon. However, the matches and the rivalries they encompass are frequently listed among the best in the sport. A 2008 report showed that West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers was the number one rivalry in English football. While Old Firm derby matches between Scottish clubs Rangers and Celtic are known to go beyond the sport with its "enormous quantity of references to wider cultural and political issues". The first football derby played was between Hallam F.C. and Sheffield F.C. in December 1860.
England
American football
- London Derby: London Blitz vs. London Warriors
Association football
Central
- Aylesbury derby: Aylesbury vs. Aylesbury United
- Bedford derby: Bedford vs. Bedford Town
- Biggleswade derby: any game played between Biggleswade, Biggleswade Town and Biggleswade United
- Buckinghamshire derby: Milton Keynes Dons vs. Wycombe Wanderers
- Cambridge derby: Cambridge City vs. Cambridge United
- Cambridgeshire derby: Cambridge City or Cambridge United vs. Histon
- Cambridgeshire derby:Cambridge United vs. Peterborough United
- Dunstable derby: AFC Dunstable vs. Dunstable Town
- Luton-Stevenage rivalry: Luton Town vs. Stevenage
- M1 derby: Luton Town vs. Watford
- Milton Keynes-Northampton rivalry: Milton Keynes Dons vs. Northampton Town
- Milton Keynes-Peterborough rivalry: Milton Keynes Dons vs. Peterborough United
- Nene derby: Northampton Town vs. Peterborough United
- Northamptonshire derby: Kettering Town vs. Rushden & Diamonds - can also refer to any of the two against Corby Town or Northampton Town
East England
- Canvey Island derby: Canvey Island vs. Concord Rangers
- East Anglian derby : Ipswich Town vs. Norwich City
- Essex derby: Colchester United vs. Southend United
- M11 derby: Bishop's Stortford vs. Harlow Town
- Maldon derby: Maldon & Tiptree vs. Heybridge Swifts
- Suffolk derby: Needham Market vs. Lowestoft Town
London
- East London derby: Leyton Orient vs. West Ham United, also may include a match between either of those and Dagenham & Redbridge
- North London derby: Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur,
- North West London derby:
- *Arsenal-Chelsea rivalry: Arsenal vs. Chelsea
- *Chelsea-Tottenham Hotspur rivalry: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- South London derby: any match between Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Millwall and AFC Wimbledon.
- West London derby: any match between Brentford, Chelsea, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers
- Dockers derby: Millwall vs. West Ham United
- Dulwich-Tooting derby: Dulwich Hamlet vs Tooting & Mitcham
- Enfield derby: Enfield 1893 vs. Enfield Town
- A10 derby: Any match between Enfield Town, Cheshunt and Haringey Borough
- Sutton derby: Carshalton Athletic vs. Sutton United
Midlands
- A5 derby : Nuneaton Town vs. Tamworth
- A500 derby: Crewe Alexandra vs. Port Vale
- Black Country derby: West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Buxton-Leek rivalry: Buxton vs. Leek Town
- East Midlands derby:
- *Derby-Leicester rivalry: Derby County vs. Leicester City
- *Derby-Nottingham Forest rivalry: Derby County vs. Nottingham Forest
- *Leicester-Nottingham Forest rivalry: Leicester City vs. Nottingham Forest
- Derbyshire derby: Chesterfield vs. Derby County
- Hereford-Kidderminster rivalry: Hereford vs. Kidderminster Harriers
- Lincolnshire derby: May refer to any match between Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City or Scunthorpe United
- Nottingham derby: Nottingham Forest vs. Notts County
- Nottinghamshire derby: Mansfield Town vs. Notts County
- Number Nine derby: Halesowen Town vs. Stourbridge
- M69 derby: Coventry City vs. Leicester City
- Miners strike derby: Chesterfield vs. Mansfield Town
- Peak District derby: Buxton vs. Matlock Town
- Potteries derby: Port Vale vs. Stoke City
- Second City derby: Aston Villa vs. Birmingham City
- Shrewsbury-Walsall rivalry: Shrewsbury Town vs. Walsall
- Shrewsbury-Wolves rivalry: Shrewsbury Town vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Shropshire derby: Shrewsbury Town vs. A.F.C. Telford United
- Staffordshire derby:
- *Hednesford Town vs. Stafford Rangers
- *Port Vale vs. Walsall
- *Stoke City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- West Midlands derby: Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion
North
- A62 derby: Huddersfield Town vs. Oldham Athletic
- A627 derby: Oldham Athletic vs. Rochdale
- Accrington-Morecambe rivalry: Accrington Stanley vs. Morecambe
- Altrincham-Macclesfield rivalry: Altrincham vs. Macclesfield Town
- Ashton derby: Ashton United vs. Curzon Ashton
- Billingham derby: Billingham Synthonia vs. Billingham Town
- Blackburn-Preston rivalry: Blackburn Rovers vs. Preston North End
- Bolton-Bury rivalry: Bolton Wanderers vs. Bury
- Bolton-Oldham rivalry: Bolton Wanderers vs. Oldham Athletic
- Bolton–Wigan rivalry: Bolton Wanderers vs. Wigan Athletic
- Burnley-Preston rivalry: Burnley vs. Preston North End
- Bury–Oldham rivalry: Bury vs. Oldham Athletic
- Cheshire derby: refers to any match between Chester, Crewe Alexandra, Macclesfield Town or Northwich Victoria
- Chester-Tranmere rivalry: Chester vs. Tranmere Rovers
- Doncaster-Rotherham rivalry: Doncaster Rovers vs. Rotherham United
- East Lancashire derby: Burnley vs. Blackburn Rovers
- Fleetwood-Morecambe rivalry: Fleetwood Town vs. Morecambe
- Fleetwood-Southport rivalry: Fleetwood Town vs. Southport
- Fylde Coast derby: Blackpool vs. Fleetwood Town
- Humber derby: refers to any match between Grimsby Town, Hull City, and Scunthorpe United
- M6 derby: Liverpool vs. Manchester City
- M66 derby: Bury vs. Rochdale
- Manchester derby: Manchester City vs. Manchester United
- Merseyside derby: Everton vs. Liverpool, also includes any combination of games against Tranmere Rovers or Southport
- North West derby: Liverpool vs. Manchester United
- Northwich derby: Games between 1874 Northwich, Northwich Victoria and Witton Albion
- Rules derby: Hallam vs. Sheffield; the oldest derby in football
- Steel City derby: Sheffield United vs. Sheffield Wednesday
- Tameside derby: Hyde United vs. Stalybridge Celtic
- Tees-Wear derby: Middlesbrough vs. Sunderland
- Tranmere-Wrexham rivalry: Tranmere Rovers vs. Wrexham
- Tyne-Tees derby: Newcastle United vs. Middlesbrough
- Tyne-Wear derby: Newcastle United vs. Sunderland
- War of the Roses: Leeds United vs. Manchester United
- West Lancashire derby: Blackpool vs. Preston North End
- West Yorkshire derby: refers to any match between Bradford City, F.C. Halifax Town, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United
- Wool City derby: Bradford City vs. Bradford Park Avenue
South
- A259 derby: Peacehaven & Telscombe vs. Newhaven
- A27 derby: Bognor Regis Town vs. Whitehawk
- Aldershot-Reading rivalry: Aldershot Town vs. ReadingAldershot 14/07/01">. Royals.org. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
- A420 derby: Oxford United vs. Swindon Town
- Aldershot–Woking rivalry: Aldershot Town vs. Woking
- Bristol derby: Bristol City vs. Bristol Rovers
- Cathedral City derby: Salisbury vs. Winchester City
- Devon derby: Games between Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle or Torquay United
- Dockyard derby: Plymouth Argyle vs. Portsmouth
- Dorking derby: Dorking vs. Dorking Wanderers
- Dorset derby: Games between Dorchester Town, Poole Town, Weymouth and Wimborne Town
- Eastbourne derby: Games played between Eastbourne Borough, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne United and Langney Wanderers
- East Sussex derby: Eastbourne Borough vs. Lewes
- Gloucestershire derby: Games played between Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers and Gloucester City
- M23 derby: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Crystal Palace
- Kent derby: Gillingham vs. Maidstone United;
- M4 derby: Reading vs. Swindon Town
- Mid Hampshire derby: Totton vs. Winchester City,
- New Forest derby: Bournemouth vs Southampton
- Rushmoor derby: Aldershot Town vs. Farnborough
- Seaside derby: Bognor Regis Town vs Worthing
- South Coast derby: Portsmouth vs. Southampton
- South Hampshire derby: Gosport Borough vs. Havant & Waterlooville
- South Midlands derby: Gloucester City vs. Worcester City
- South Wales derby: Cardiff City vs. Swansea City
- Thames Valley derby: Oxford United vs. Reading
- Thanet derby: Margate vs. Ramsgate
- Walton derby: Walton Casuals vs Walton & Hersham
- West Country derby: may refer to any match between Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town, Torquay United and Yeovil Town
Inter-regional
- A10 derby: Enfield Town vs. Harlow Town or Cheshunt
- A1000 derby: Potters Bar Town vs. Wingate & Finchley
- A13 derby: Leyton Orient vs. Southend United
- A61 derby: Chesterfield vs. Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday
- Arsenal–Manchester United rivalry: Arsenal vs Manchester United
- Cardiff City–Leeds United rivalry: Cardiff City vs Leeds United
- Chelsea–Liverpool rivalry: Chelsea vs. Liverpool
- Chelsea–Leeds rivalry: Chelsea vs. Leeds United
- Cambridge–Colchester rivalry: Cambridge United vs. Colchester United
- Cross-border derby: Chester vs. Wrexham
- Dons derby: AFC Wimbledon vs. Milton Keynes Dons
- Gillingham–Southend rivalry: Gillingham vs. Southend United
- Leeds United–Millwall rivalry: Leeds United vs. Millwall
- M23 derby: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Crystal Palace
- Northampton-Oxford rivalry: Northampton Town vs. Oxford United
- Oxford-Wycombe rivalry: Oxford United vs. Wycombe Wanderers
- Severnside derby: Primarily refers to Bristol City vs. Cardiff City but may also refer to Bristol Rovers or Newport County
- Shrewsbury-Wrexham rivalry: Shrewsbury Town vs. Wrexham
Defunct derbies
- A49 derby: Hereford United vs Shrewsbury Town
- Aldershot-Reading rivalry: Aldershot vs. Reading
- Cross-border derby: Chester City vs. Wrexham
- Crystal Palace-Wimbledon derby: Crystal Palace vs. Wimbledon
- Ossett derby: Ossett Albion vs. Ossett Town
- Shropshire derby: Shrewsbury Town vs Telford United
- North Yorkshire derby: Scarborough F.C. vs. York City
- Teesside derby: Darlington vs. Hartlepool United
- West Yorkshire derby: Only those derbies are defunct that included the now defunct club Halifax Town vs. Bradford City, Huddersfield Town or Leeds United
- Wirral derby: New Brighton vs. Tranmere Rovers
Basketball
- Leicester Riders vs. Newcastle Eagles
- Glasgow Rocks vs. Newcastle Eagles
- North-East derby: Durham Wildcats vs. Newcastle Eagles
- Yorkshire Derby: Leeds Force vs Sheffield Sharks
Cricket
- London derby - Middlesex v. Surrey
- War of the Roses - Lancashire v. Yorkshire
- West Midlands derby - Warwickshire v. Worcestershire
- Battle of the Bridge - Essex v. Kent
- South Coast - Hampshire v. Sussex
Ice hockey
- Basingstoke Bison vs. Guildford Flames
- Bracknell Bees vs. Slough Jets
- Milton Keynes Lightning vs. Peterborough Phantoms
- Nottingham Panthers vs. Sheffield Steelers
- Tyne-Tees derby: Billingham Stars vs. Whitley Bay Warriors
- Essex derby: London Raiders vs. Chelmsford Chieftains
Motorcycle Speedway
- Somerset derby: Swindon Robins vs. Somerset Rebels
Rugby league
- The Hull Derby: Hull F.C. vs. Hull Kingston Rovers
- Good Friday Derby: St. Helens v Wigan Warriors
- Heavy Woollen Derby: Batley Bulldogs vs. Dewsbury Rams
- The Cheshire Derby: Widnes Vikings vs. Warrington Wolves
- The West Yorkshire Derby: Bradford Bulls vs. Leeds Rhinos
- The Calder Derby: Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity
- West Yorkshire derby: Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants
Rowing
- The Boat Race : Oxford University Boat Club Vs Cambridge University Boat Club
Rugby union
England
- The London Derby: Harlequins vs. Saracens
- The East Midlands Derby: Leicester Tigers vs. Northampton Saints
- Bristol Rugby vs. Bath
- Gloucester vs. Bath
- Milton Keynes derby: Bletchley RUFC vs. Milton Keynes RUFC vs. Olney RFC
- Former West London/Hampstead FC Split Derby: Wasps vs. Harlequins F.C.
- M69 Derby: Wasps vs. Leicester Tigers
- Former Thames Valley Derby: London Wasps vs. London Irish
- Exiles Derby: London Irish vs. London Welsh vs. London Scottish
- South Hampshire derby: Havant RFC vs. Gosport and Fareham R.F.C.
Northern Ireland
Association football
- Belfast derbies:
- *Big Two derby: Linfield v Glentoran
- *North Belfast derby: Crusaders v Cliftonville
- *Linfield v Cliftonville
- *Donegal Celtic vs. Linfield
- *Glentoran vs. Crusaders or Cliftonville
- Mid-Ulster derby: Glenavon vs. Portadown
- A26 derby: Ballymena United vs. Coleraine
- North Down derby: Ards vs. Bangor F.C.
- East Antrim derby: Carrick Rangers vs. Larne vs. Ballyclare Comrades
- Lurgan derby: Glenavon vs. Lurgan Celtic
- North-West derby: Coleraine vs. Limavady United vs. Institute
- Mourne derby: Newry City vs. Warrenpoint Town
Gaelic football
- Armagh–Tyrone: Armagh v Tyrone
- Sperrin derby: Derry v Tyrone
- Armagh v Down
Scotland
Association football
Senior football
- Alloa Athletic v Falkirk
- Angus derby: Arbroath v Montrose - can also include Brechin City and Forfar Athletic
- Ayrshire derby: Ayr United v Kilmarnock
- Buchan derby: Fraserburgh v Peterhead
- Caithness/Sutherland derby: Brora Rangers v Wick Academy
- Dunbartonshire derby : Dumbarton vs Clydebank
- Dundee derby: Dundee v Dundee United
- Edinburgh derby: Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian
- Falkirk derby: East Stirlingshire v Falkirk
- Falkirk district derby: East Stirlingshire v Stenhousemuir
- Fife derby: any combination of Dunfermline Athletic, Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath and East Fife
- Glasgow derby: Clyde v Partick Thistle - can also include Queens Park and either Celtic or Rangers
- Highland derby: Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross County - can also refer to Elgin City v Peterhead or Brora Rangers v Wick Academy
- Inverness derby: Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Clachnacuddin
- Kincardine derby: Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk
- Lanarkshire derby: Any two of Motherwell, Hamilton Academical and Airdrieonians
- Monklands derby: Airdrieonians v Albion Rovers
- New Firm: Aberdeen v Dundee United
- North derby: Aberdeen v Inverness Caledonian Thistle - can also refer to Elgin City v Peterhead
- Old Firm: Celtic v Rangers
- Original Glasgow Derby: Queens Park vs. Rangers
- Other Edinburgh derby: Edinburgh City v Spartans
- Renfrewshire derby: Greenock Morton v St Mirren
- Tayside derby: either Dundee or Dundee United v St Johnstone
- South-West derby: Queen of the South v Stranraer - can also include either Ayr United or Kilmarnock
Junior/Non-League Football
- Southside Derby/"Southside Clásico" - Pollok F.C. v Arthurlie F.C.
- Ayrshire Derby - Auchinleck Talbot vs. Cumnock Juniors
- Western Fife derby: Hill of Beath Hawthorn vs. Kelty Hearts
- Junior old firm: St Roch's vs. Larkhall Thistle
- Larkhall derby: Royal Albert vs. Larkhall Thistle
- Beith Juniors vs Kilbirnie Ladeside
- Bo'ness United vs Linlithgow Rose
- Cambuslang Rangers vs Rutherglen Glencairn
- Calmac Cup: Eriskay vs. Barra
Basketball
- Edinburgh derby: Boroughmuir Blaze vs. City of Edinburgh Kings
Ice Hockey
- Scottish derby:
- *Fife Flyers vs. Braehead Clan
- *Braehead Clan vs. Edinburgh Capitals
- *Braehead Clan vs. Dundee Stars
- Dundee-Kirkcaldy derby: Fife Flyers vs. Dundee Stars
- Forth derby: Fife Flyers vs. Edinburgh Capitals
Motorcycle Speedway
- Scottish Speedway Derby: Edinburgh Monarchs vs. Glasgow Tigers
Rowing
- Scottish Boat Race: Edinburgh University Boat Club vs. Glasgow University Boat Club
Rugby union
- 1872 Cup: Edinburgh vs. Glasgow Warriors
Shinty
- Badenoch derby: Kingussie Camanachd vs. Newtonmore Camanachd Club
Wales
Association football
- Anglesey derby: Llanfairpwll vs. Llangefni Town
- Gwynedd derby: may refer to any match between Bala Town, Bangor City, Caernarfon Town or Porthmadog
- South Wales derby: Cardiff City vs Swansea City
Rugby union
- West Wales Derby: Ospreys vs. Scarlets
- South Wales Derby: Ospreys vs. Cardiff Blues
- East Wales Derby: Cardiff Blues vs. Dragons