Which are the Top 10 Biggest Derby in the World of Football?

Derby games are the one fixture that most fans look forward to when the season’s schedule is released. There’s nothing quite like getting the better of your arch-rivals, especially on their turf. However, some derbies can cross the line and are so volatile that fans are at risk due to violence. The hatred clubs have for one another can lead to iconic moments on the pitch, too.

The Old Firm between Celtic and Rangers might be from Scotland, but when these two Glasgow giants clash, millions of football fans around the world witness one of the most intense rivalries. These matches aren't just regular matches - they're battles that stop entire cities, dividing families at dinner tables, and create memories that last generations.

List of Biggest Football Derbies Worldwide

Here's our list of the ten biggest football derbies worldwide based on their history, viewership, as well as iconic matches. We had to leave out some of the intense derbies like Le Classique, Fla-Flu, and more in order to present the best list to our readers:

How We Ranked the Biggest Football Derbies in the World

Top 10 List of Biggest Football Derbies in the World

Here are the matches where football gets real and intense. These aren't just games - they're wars fought with a ball, where legends are made and hearts are broken in 90 minutes.

10. Derby della Mole (Serie A)

One of the oldest derbies in the football world, Derby della Mole has been played between Juventus and Torino since 1907. Juventus are the dominant force with success and money. Torino are the scrappy underdogs who never give up. The tragedy of Grande Torino in 1949 still haunts this rivalry. Giampiero Boniperti scored 14 goals in these matches during his Juventus days.

Torino were the best team in Italy until that plane crash changed everything. Since then, it's been mostly Juventus winning. But Torino fans never stop believing they can beat their successful neighbors. When they do win, the whole city celebrates like crazy. The underdog story makes this derby special.

9. North London Derby (Premier League)

The North London Derby started in 1909 when Arsenal moved to North London. Spurs fans never forgave them for this move. Since then, banters have been going back and forth between the club's fans, the Gunners' fans call Spurs "bottlers," while Spurs fans call Arsenal "boring." The banter between fans is legendary. Harry Kane scored 14 goals in these matches and celebrated wildly against the Gunners.

The matches usually deliver drama and controversy. Thierry Henry destroyed Spurs repeatedly during Arsenal's golden years. Harry Kane broke Arsenal hearts many times as Spurs captain. It's proper London football with both clubs fighting for North London supremacy. The rivalry brings out the best and worst in both teams.

8. Manchester Derby (Premier League)

The Manchester derby's face changed completely when Sheikh Mansour bought City in 2008. The Red Devils were the big brother, while the Cityzens were the annoying little brother. Then Man City got billions and world-class players like Aguero and Silva changed things for the better for the club. The famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford announced City's arrival. Wayne Rooney scored 11 goals in these matches during United's dominant years.

Now it's properly heated between both sets of fans. Both clubs want to be Manchester's number one. City's rise created a genuine rivalry where none existed before. While the Cityzens' transformation has been incredible to watch, it hurts us to see Man United losing so badly in recent times.

7. Merseyside Derby (Premier League)

The Merseyside derby started in 1894 when Everton moved grounds. One of the derbies that has families split into red and blue, but they still talk to each other. Liverpool are more successful globally, but Everton were in the city first. The clubs are literally a stone's throw apart.

Ian Rush scored 25 goals in the Merseyside derby matches and has a knack for beating Everton. The matches are competitive but rarely nasty. All of Liverpool stop to watch when they play. The passion is real but respectful and is one of the best derby in the world.

6. Derby de Lisboa (Primeira Liga)

Portugal's biggest derby, the Derby de Lisboa, started in 1907 and divides Lisbon completely. Benfica are the people's club with massive working-class support. Sporting see themselves as more elegant and classy. Families split over this rivalry. Fernando Peyroteo scored 48 goals in these matches and became a Portuguese legend.

Both clubs produced incredible players over the years. Cristiano Ronaldo came through Sporting's academy. Both stadiums become absolute cauldrons on derby day. The passion rivals anything you'll see in Europe and is one of the biggest football derbies in the world.

5. Derby della Capitale (Serie A)

Rome splits down the middle for the Derby della Capitale, which started in 1929. Roma represent the working-class south of the city. Lazio draws support from the more prosperous north. The Stadio Olimpico becomes a drum when they share it. Francesco Totti scored 11 goals in these matches and became a legend.

The passion for the Derby della Capitale is off the charts, crazy. Both sets of fans create incredible, choreographed displays. Derby della Capitale is the the biggest rivalry in football. Every Roman kid dreams of scoring in this derby.

4. Derbi barceloní (La Liga)

The Derbi barceloní was started in 1929. With Espanyol, fans think they're the authentic Barcelona club. Barcelona fans see Espanyol as bitter neighbors who can't accept themselves being the second-best. The rivalry is about who represents the city. Lionel Messi loved Espanyol so much that he went on to score 25 goals.

Espanyol loves spoiling Barcelona's party more than anything. They've been relegated multiple times but always come back fighting. Barcelona usually wins, but Espanyol never gives up. The passion is real, even if the quality gap is huge. Derbi barceloni is one of the biggest derby in the world.

3. Madrid Derby (La Liga)

This rivalry dates back to 1906 in Spain's capital city. Real Madrid are the rich, successful Galacticos. Atletico Madrid are the working-class underdogs who refuse to quit. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 22 goals against Atletico and tortured them for years.

Diego Simeone turned Atletico Madrid into real rivals again. His defensive style clashes with Real's attacking flair perfectly. The matches are brutal and full of red cards. Both stadiums create amazing atmospheres, making it one of the biggest derby in the world.

2. Derby della Madonnina (Serie A)

AC Milan and Inter Milan share the same stadium, which is the iconic San Siro. The wars that have taken place between the Milan rivals aren’t so admirable as they have gone hammer and tongs to defeat one another. The San Siro is often a cauldron when they meet for the Derby della Madonnina, which has been a staple in any football fan’s calendar.

Younger fans may be able to recall Jose Mourinho’s Inter thrashing the Rossoneri 4-0 in August 2009 ahead of a treble-winning season. The Milan rivals have shared many iconic moments and matches that have lit up Italian football. More often than not, the stands are lit up by fireworks of the colors of either club and it makes for one of the top 10 biggest derby in the world football.

1. Old Firm (Scottish Premiership)

Scottish football might not be up to par with English football, but it almost certainly has the fiercest rivalry in the UK, which is the Old Firm rivalry. It’s one of the most intense but top derbies in world football that any fan can wish to watch in person or on TV. Their rivalry began back in the late 19th century and is deep-rooted in historical and religious debate. It has defined Glasgow’s identity for more than a century and pits Catholicism against Protestantism. The two Glasgow rivals’ hatred leaks onto the pitch, with players doing their utmost to defend their respective clubs’ badges. They are the two most successful clubs in Scottish football history, and their rivalry is the biggest derby in the world.