Top 20 Biggest Derbies in British Football [Ranked]
· GiveMeSport
The 20 biggest derbies in British football have been ranked, including the Old Firm and the North London Derby.
Derby fixtures just have that extra edge about them, don’t they? Enough to make your knees weak and to get your blood pumping: from the North London derby to the all-Manchester affair in the Premier League , while those lower in England’s football pyramid don’t often get shunted in the same spotlight, the rivalries are just as scintillating. Perhaps even more so.
As such, this is a ranking of the top 20 British football derbies in the men's game. It's a pretty precious subject, and it goes without saying that every fan's own derby is always the one that's the most important, passionate and meaningful to them - and power to you if that's the case. Nevertheless, the simple fact of the matter is that some derbies are better than others.
Both located in the southeast of England, Luton Town and Watford have been the fiercest of rivals since their respective formation in the late 19th century. Thanks to being from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, respectively, the match-up has been coined the Beds-Herts derby and has been the host of mean head-to-heads aplenty.
At its apex during the 1980s, their varying levels of success in recent years has somewhat taken the sting out of their hatred – but the fans are historically unforgiving. That was encapsulated perfectly when Watford signed former Luton legend Kerry Dixon in the 1990s, causing nothing short of a hate-fuelled rift between the two clubs.
Luton vs Watford Head-to-Head
Luton
vs
Watford
39
Wins
31
23
Draws
23
31
Losses
39
It might not be as glamorous and highly publicised as the Old Firm in Scotland, but the Dundee derby is one that football fans in the nation always take note of whenever the two clubs happen to face off. The two sides met for the first time in two years in August 2024 in the Scottish Premiership, the 173rd fixture between the two sides , and have met numerous times since.
They last met in Auhust 2026, when Dundee won 2-0 at the home of their fierce rivals. Goals either side of half-time from Drey Wright and Owen Bevan gave The Dee all three points.
While on paper, the East Anglian derby might not seem like the most fierce in Britain, it's certainly one of the most competitive. Across every competitive meeting between Ipswich Town and Norwich City , the Tractor Boys have won one more game than their fierce rivals.
Neither of the two has ever really gotten the better of the other on a consistent basis, and it's made for some incredible meetings over the years. After a spell where Norwich were in the Premier League , Ipswich are now on top in the rivalry, currently in England's top tier while the Canaries are battling to get out of the Championship. Although the games have been lively, the feud isn't quite as bitter as others.
Ipswich vs Norwich Head-to-Head
Ipswich
vs
Norwich
45
Wins
43
23
Draws
23
43
Losses
45
A bit like a volcano, there are often long periods of dormancy where the sleeping giant stays silent, but there's always fireworks when things kick off – and there's no denying the fierceness between Bristol's footballing factions. And while you may think Bristolians' love for anything but their vibrant urban farming scene would bare thin, that is far from the truth.
It has been some time since the last Bristol Derby, however, with the last game between the two sides taking place in September 2013 in the EFL Trophy. City won that match 2-1, and they are, statistically, the stronger asset in the rivalry with 45 triumphs, superior to Rovers’ win tally of 29. Considering how irregularly the game takes place nowadays, we couldn't place this much higher.
Bristol City vs Bristol Rovers Head-to-Head
Bristol City
vs
Bristol Rovers
45
Wins
29
33
Draws
33
29
Losses
45
An underrated gem, this always punches above its weight in studies of English football's best rivalries, with Devon's premier sides bringing their county to its feet even if the rest of the nation doesn't necessarily give it due praise. It’s more than just the three points on offer when the two meet.
Dating back to 1908, the Pilgrims and the Grecians first clashed in a Southern League fixture as the latter ran out 2-1 victors. That being said, the former currently hold the rights to brag as they have won nine more fixtures in the pair’s long and storied history.
Exeter City vs Plymouth Argyle Head-to-Head
Exeter City
vs
Plymouth Argyle
30
Wins
39
27
Draws
27
39
Losses
30
Grimsby Town’s meetings with Lincoln City has seen its fair share of bad blood in recent years. First contested way back in 1884, it was the former who reigned victorious in a 1-0 victory when they first locked horns. A strong sense of conflict, both on and off the field, has existed ever since.
A fan of an LNER Stadium persuasion, way back in 2005, was stabbed near Blundell Park on an away trip, while stewards – more recently – have been caught in the wrath after one was injured after being hit by a seat thrown from the crowd. Lincoln currently hold the bragging rights by virtue of playing in two divisions above – but this rivalry will forever be enshrined in English football mythology.
Grimsby Town vs Lincoln City Head-to-Head
Grimsby Town
vs
Lincoln City
44
Wins
31
29
Draws
29
31
Losses
44
If recent events have taught us anything, it's the fact that there's no love lost between fans of both West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers . The Black Country derby is one that often flies under the radar, but it was thrust into the spotlight once again after a meeting between the two was temporarily suspended due to a mass brawl between supporters in the stands.
That goes to show just how bitter things are between both sets of supporters. In total, the sides have faced off on 163 occasions over the years, with the Baggies having the head-to-head advantage right now. They've won 65 matches, while Wolves have won 54, but with the change of fortunes between the two clubs, that gap might close in the future.
West Bromwich Albion vs Wolves Head-to-Head
West Brom
vs
Wolves
65
Wins
54
44
Draws
44
54
Losses
65
This just screams of a vintage English derby, doesn't it? The flame of the amusingly nicknamed 'El Lanclasico' has been burning bright since their first meeting in 1888. Interestingly, Accrington Stanley – which is situated smack bang in the middle of the two – is typically overlooked as a rival as Burnley and Blackburn Rovers consider each other to be their respective foe in the English pyramid.
The northwest of England is littered with many football rivalries but not many come close to the magnitude between these two. Burnley have had the upper hand most recently after bouncing back and forth between the Championship and England's top division, but with just four games separating the two sides in terms of wins, Blackburn could work their way back in front soon.
Blackburn Rovers vs Burnley Head-to-Head
Blackburn
vs
Burnley
41
Wins
45
20
Draws
20
45
Losses
41
Forget history, statistics and recent records, the South Coast derby is one that you feel , and sometimes there's just no better barometer of a rivalry's needle, jeopardy and significance than that. Nevertheless, the competition for a top-ten finish is such that we can't quite elevate it amongst British football's derby royalty, even if the lung-busting chants of Pompey and Saints fans almost push it there alone.
The two cities – embroiled in war, tragedy, violence and football – is a derby worth watching given their intertwining history of their league positions and off-field struggles, too difficult to comprehend as the rivalry’s embryonic chapters are wildly different to the current picture.
The first match between the two sides in six years was played in September 14, 2025 which ended in a 0-0 draw at St Mary's. They then met again in the Championship in January 2026, as the game ended 1-1.
Portsmouth vs Southampton Head-to-Head
Portsmouth
vs
Southampton
21
Wins
35
17
Draws
17
35
Losses
21
While, yes, Forest might just be a hop across the Trent away from their Nottingham neighbours of Notts County, let's be honest here and say that their rivalry with Derby has far more box-office appeal. Not only have the two Midlands institutes found themselves slugging it out in the Championship in recent years, but you know the derby's huge when silverware - the Brian Clough Trophy - is literally dished out after every meeting.
Now that Forest are plying their trade in a division a level above their rivals, has the superior team been settled once and for all? Well, with the Reds just five wins ahead in their head-to-head ratio, there are certainly Rams fans who would disagree with that notion. Leicester City also share a rivalry with both of these teams, but this is the best game of the three.
Derby County vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head
Derby
vs
Nottingham Forest
38
Wins
43
30
Draws
30
43
Losses
38