Iconic Sporting Rivalries Around the Globe
Nothing elevates sport like rivalry. The occasions are bigger, the prize greater and the losses that much more painful when the opponent is a long-standing rival.
Known as ‘derbies’ in most team sports, these meetings are usually the standout fixtures in the sporting calendar, with frenzied fan bases creating a carnival atmosphere that fuels the drama of the spectacle and adds to the thrill of watching from the stands.
From the Yankees and the Sox going toe-to-toe at Fenway Park to the Williams Sisters facing off at the French Open, here we round-up some of the best rivalries across five different sports, with details about when and where you can see them in action in the next 12 months.
Football: El Clásico, Spain
When two of the footballing world’s biggest and most decorated clubs meet, there are usually fireworks; and that’s before you throw into the mix the egos of some of the game’s biggest superstars (read: divas) – some of whom boast price tags of over €100 million.
The first El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona was contested in 1902 and has since grown to become one of the most-viewed annual sporting events in the world. What continues to make this game special is the passion from the Spanish fans, who live and breathe ‘the beautiful game’. Their fervor is often heightened during these encounters when taunted by opposition players, whether it be a shirtless Ronaldo flexing his muscles or Raúl ‘shushing’ the opposition crowd.
When is the next game: The teams play each other at least twice a year (but sometimes more due to cup competitions). The next league clash is October 29, 2019, in Barcelona with the reverse game in Madrid on March 1.
How to get tickets: Tickets for games at the Bernabéu and Nou Camp are available from the Real Madrid website and Barcelona website respectively, starting from €34. However, this is one of the most in-demand games in world sport, so it is advisable to buy tickets as early as possible and expect to pay significantly more than face value.
Baseball: Yankees-Red Sox, USA
Want to quickly enrage a load of New Yorkers? Walk into any diner in the city and say the Red Sox are the best team in the MLB. The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox rivalry is the oldest and most famous in baseball, arguably the fiercest in all American sports.
The cause of such sporting resentment? In a word: Babe ‘The Bambino’ Ruth. One of America’s great sporting heroes came through the ranks at Boston before being sold to the Yankees in 1919, leading to Boston not winning a World Series for 86 years – a phenomenon still alluded to by fans as the ‘Curse of the Bambino’. Since then, numerous memorable contests (like the Yankees tie-breaker game win in 1978) and off-field dramas have ensured this rivalry remains intense.
When is the next game: Having gone toe-to-toe outside of the USA for the first time in summer 2019, the next matchup will be July 28, 2019, in Boston. The reverse fixture will occur on August 3.
How to get tickets: Tickets are available via the MLB website, starting from $59.
Tennis: The Williams Sisters, France
Taking sibling rivalry to a whole new level, Venus and Serena Williams – sisters born just a year apart – are among tennis’s most decorated players, with a staggering 120 singles titles between them.
Despite their respective title wins, it is the family tie that makes this rivalry so iconic. The New York Times compared their joint success to being as improbable as “one set of parents raising Picasso and Monet”. Nevertheless, despite their near-20 year tussle for the top spot, they remain incredibly close off the court, frequently teaming up for doubles (where they’ve won an additional 22 titles). When opposing each other, the encounters tend to be fiercely contested, with Serena currently leading the head-to-head stats 18-12.
When is the next game: Both players compete in singles at all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments (the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon). However, watch for action during the French Open, where they competed in the 2002 final.
How to get tickets: Roland-Garros (the French Open) will next be held in Paris in May 2020. For tickets, check the official French Open website.
Netball: Constellation Cup, Australia
Netball has often contended with misconceptions, but anyone questioning its intensity will be proven wrong in a clash between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the Australian Diamonds.
Indeed, these fiery, breathless encounters are considered the pinnacle of sporting contests between the neighboring nations. Alongside international tournaments, the teams meet annually in October, battling it out in a four-game competition for the Constellation Cup. Matches frequently go down to the wire, with memorable games like the final of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, which went to double extra time – recognized as the longest official match in the sport’s history.
When is the next game: The next Constellation Cup series will be held from October 13-23, with two games in New Zealand and two in Australia.
How to get tickets: Tickets for Constellation Cup matches are available from both the New Zealand Netball and Australia Netball websites.
Cricket: Super Kings-Indians Derby, India
India is known for its diverse cultures, and cricket could easily be considered a national religion. The sport is adored from the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh to the beaches of Kerala, with children often playing the game wherever they can find space.
While this love for cricket unites the country, rivalries remain fierce, especially between supporters of the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings – the two most successful teams in the history of the IPL (Indian Premier League). This heated rivalry has seen over 30 eventful meetings and reached its peak at the end of the 2019 season when Mumbai triumphantly defeated CSK by a single run in a pulsating playoff final.
When is the next game: Individual fixtures have not yet been announced, but the IPL tournament occurs every April and May in various cities across India. For updates, check the IPL website.
How to get tickets: Tickets for all games are available on the IPL website, with prices starting around Rs400 (£5).
