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.

Ranking factors

• Fan/stadium atmosphere
• Historical significance
• Best matches
• Can only feature once (primary geographical derby takes precedence)

20 Luton Town vs Watford

Beds–Herts derby

Both located in the southeast of England, Luton Town and Watford – both now plying their trade in the Championship – 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.

19 Dundee United vs Dundee

Dundee derby

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 since met three times more.

The first match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Dundee scoring a late equaliser. Dundee United then won the second encounter 2-1, before Dundee emerged victorious in their Scottish Cup 4th round clash. Their most recent clash came on March 16, with Dundee winning 4-2 at the home of their fierce rivals.

18 Ipswich vs Norwich

East Anglian derby

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, both teams record the same number of victories – 43.

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 fighting for survival in the Premier League in 2024/25 while the Canaries battle for promotion in the Championship. Although the games have been lively, the feud isn’t quite as bitter as others.

17 Bristol City vs Bristol Rovers

Bristol derby

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 Johnstones Paint 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 [11v11]. Considering how irregularly the game takes place nowadays, we couldn’t place this much higher.

16 Exeter City vs Plymouth Argyle

Devon derby

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.

15 Grimsby Town vs Lincoln City

Lincolnshire derby

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 the division above – but this rivalry will forever be enshrined in English football mythology.

14 West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Black Country derby

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, they might close that gap in the future.

13 Blackburn Rovers vs Burnley

East Lancashire derby

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 three games separating the two sides in terms of wins, Blackburn could work their way back in front soon.

12 Portsmouth vs Southampton

South Coast derby

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.

It’s been some time since the two sides met, however, with the last fixture between the rivals coming back in September 2019 during a League Cup match, which Southampton dominated in a 4-0 victory. Prior to that fixture, it had been seven years since the two sides had met in the Championship. And with the Saints back in the top flight, it looks as if fans will have to make do without the South Coast derby for at least another year.

11 Derby County vs Nottingham Forest

East Midlands derby

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.

10 Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday

Steel City derby

One of England’s great, historic cities also happens to play host to two of the nation’s most iconic football clubs, so it’s only natural that battles between the Blades and the Owls are just as steely as their hometown’s famous industry. Coined the ‘Steel City Derby’, it is United who come out on top in the head-to-head record of their 146-game history.

Unlike many rivalries, you can always count on the sets of fans being amicable towards each other for the greater good, but all smiles and collaborations are shifted aside when the match comes around once in a blue moon.

9 Hearts vs Hibernian

Edinburgh derby

Two proud clubs founded in the 1870s sharing the capital city of a nation that puts blood, sweat and tears into its football not only makes for one of the sport’s longest-running derbies, but also one of the most passionate. The football-mad city of Edinburgh has homed both clubs for some while now, with the first match-up between the duo coming on Christmas Day in 1875.

Another 663 games have followed with just over half of those (309) coming competitively. Whether it’s a friendly or a match with some substance, however, you best believe it’ll be played like the final of the World Cup.

8 Millwall vs West Ham United

Dockers derby

You know it’s one of British football’s biggest derbies, we know it’s one of British football’s biggest derbies and your nan probably knows it’s one of British football’s biggest derbies. It’s Millwall vs West Ham, after all. Although there have only been three clashes between the sides since 2005 and no doubt plenty of people will be happy about that, we couldn’t forgive ourselves if we didn’t at least give the Dockers derby a place in our top 10.

Despite their lack of fixtures in recent times, how can you not sit in awe at how perfect a rivalry this one is? There’s no doubt that it would certainly jump up the list if they faced each other on a more regular basis. Come on Millwall, get promoted, will ya?

7 Manchester City vs Manchester United

Manchester derby

Has the life and soul of the Manchester derby waned in recent years? Maybe, maybe, but Manchester City’s return to prominence since their 2008 takeover has made it one of the most high-profile and closely matched rivalries of them all. While the in-stadium atmospheres hold City and United back from a top-five finish, we’d be out of our minds not to admit that Manchester’s intercity clashes are up to their ears in quality, history and blockbuster entertainment.

There’s been no shortage of animosity between players over the years, with Mario Balotelli finding out that you do not mess with Nemanja Vidic the hard way. While many fans of a United persuasion believe that Liverpool are their fiercest rivals, there’s so little that can come between wanting to be the biggest and the best in a football-crazed city such as Manchester – and that’s exactly what this derby brings to the table.

6 Cardiff City vs Swansea City

South Wales derby

For what the game lacks in immediate geographical proximity – the stadiums are a 40-mile drive apart – the all-Wales clash for dominance in the Land of Dragons makes up for it on sheer passion, determination and competitiveness alone.

When the two South Wales giants slugged it out in the Premier League for the very first time in 2012/13, it really felt as though England’s top flight had grown a chest-pumping new derby of the likes it hasn’t seen since. The rift between the two clubs is stark, though the Swans can currently hold their heads high, coming out superior in their head-to-head record.

5 Everton vs Liverpool

Merseyside derby

Few cities in the world live and breathe their football clubs more than Liverpool, so it’s no surprise that the Merseyside derby is always a fast-track ticket to cauldron-like atmospheres that get the eyes of the world watching. Having played continuously since the 1962/63 campaign, the only shame is that Liverpool have dominated the fixture ad nauseam in the 21st century despite the sheer needle of the fixture, which can see families split between the home and away ends.

Goodison Park and Anfield are scarily a stone’s throw away and have the green of Stanley Park to separate them, so it comes as little surprise that the fans’ affinity to their respective club is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

4 Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

North London derby

An absolute banker for entertainment, the North London derby is on a roll when it comes to two top-four-contending sides with stellar fan bases slugging it out until one side has scored more goals than the other. Not only does it mean absolutely everything to Spurs and Arsenal fans when it pops up twice a year, but the rivalry is so palpable and entertaining that it draws in neutrals from around the world wanting to get in on the action.

Over 200 games have been played out between the north London pair, many of which have been enthralling. The Gunners are way in front of their rivals for total wins, with 22 more on the board, and given their status as title contenders in 2024/25, expect that gap to grow.

3 Aston Villa vs Birmingham City

Second City derby

However, for what Arsenal vs Tottenham and Everton vs Liverpool might have in the glamour department, the Second City derby knocks them out of the park with the hostility and suspense that makes a vintage rivalry. There are few adrenaline-pumping derbies available in British football that make you want to just soak in the atmosphere and watch two historic sides do battle than the fixture upon which Brummie sport is built.

A worthy medallist. For a while, the two were level pegging in terms of status, whether that be in the Championship or the Premier League, though Villa are heads and shoulders above their counterparts with European football added to their forte now, too.

2 Newcastle United vs Sunderland

Tyne-Wear derby

Two footballing cathedrals? Check. Two massive clubs with rich histories? Check. Two fan bases who live for their clubs? Check. Two sides with a great tradition of entertaining football? Check. And one part of the world that adores the sport? Check. While it’s sad to see two immortal institutions of English football play in separate leagues right now, it does little to diminish the Tyne–Wear derby’s well-earned status as the ultimate rivalry south of the border.

The two had been neck and neck for derby wins, but the first Tyne-Wear derby in eight years allowed Newcastle to go one win in front after a victory in the FA Cup. Sunderland fans will be itching for the next chance to get their own back.

1 Celtic vs Rangers

Old Firm derby

Like, duh. Forget British football or even European football, there’s a very good case for the Old Firm standing head and shoulders above the rest as the ultimate derby in the beautiful game. Two giants of the sport sharing a city that has football pumping through its veins, the collisions between Celtic and Rangers are a meeting of arguably the most passionate, hearts-on-their-sleeves supporters that you’re ever likely to see.

It’s less about the football and more about the ever-growing distaste towards each other – but somehow it’s beautiful viewing. If watching an Old Firm game isn’t on your bucket list, then you can’t call yourself a football fan.