Even in countries where football isn’t popular, and teams from the Scottish Premiership are unknown, sports fans have probably heard a reference or two to the Old Firm. Since 1888, Celtic and Rangers have entered the field of battle to declare a champion. For close to a century and a half, the Old Firm has been a critical component of Scottish culture.
In terms of the most-watched sporting events in the UK, the Old Firm ranks high on the list. Though the Scottish Premiership isn’t quite as popular as the Premier League or the Championship in terms of season-long viewership, that isn’t the case for Celtic-Rangers matches.
One primary reason that the Old Firm is such a popular affair is thanks to all-time records. Celtic have 167 wins compared to Rangers’ 169 wins. That means each win matters dearly – and that turns each match into a larger-than-life affair. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
As most are aware, the derby represents larger cultural causes, from supporter backgrounds to city-wide politics. Similarly, the length of its run has made it deeply ingrained in the local sports identity. On top of that, Rangers were able to make a thrilling comeback after the club was liquidated in 2012, clawing its way back to the Premiership one season at a time.
But the Old Firm isn’t alone. In fact, though it’s often ranked within the top five of all global football derbies, it might not be the most intense and most attended rivalry out there. Let’s take a look at some of the other larger-than-life derbies from around the world.
El Superclásico: Boca Juniors vs. River Plate
That’s right—Spain’s ‘el clasico’ isn’t quite as insane as Argentina’s ‘superclasico’. This rivalry takes place between the country’s two most popular domestic teams: Boca Juniors and River Plate, both native to Buenos Aires.
As with the Old Firm, the rivalry is deeply entrenched in local politics and culture, taking on greater meaning for locals. It’s also been going on since 1913 and includes a neck-in-neck battle. Of the clubs’ 261 total meetings, the Boca Juniors have an edge with 91 wins compared to River Plate’s 86. The tides turn back and forth, adding excitement for fans.
El Clasico: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
El Superclásico aside, Spain’s domestic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is probably the most well-known in the football world. Until recently, the world’s top footballers represented each side of the coin: Messi for Barca and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
Once more, political differences underpin the derby, driving fans and players alike. However, not all football fans consider the rivalry to be a proper derby. Usually, a derby refers to a crosstown rivalry, as with the cities of Glasgow, Buenos Aires, and Istanbul (below)—not one that spans a nation.
The Intercontinental Derby: Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce
If you know anything about the Turkish Super League, you know that fans of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are some of the most passionate in the world. Together, these clubs also embody one of the world’s most ingrained sports rivalries. It’s known as The Intercontinental Derby—but it’s also called the Eternal Rivalry, the Derby of Hate, or, most optimistically, the Derby of Friendship.
It all began with a particularly rough faceoff back in 1934 that eventually led to a brawl. Since then, the fight has transformed into a myriad of other issues. Galatasaray represents the geographically European portion of Istanbul, while Fenerbahce represents the geographically Asian side—hence the term ‘intercontinental’. Similar to Argentina’s Superclásico, these two teams claim the bulk of the country’s football fans, which means that derby matches are very well-attended.
Even in countries where football isn’t popular, and teams from the Scottish Premiership are unknown, sports fans have probably heard a reference or two to the Old Firm. Since 1888, Celtic and Rangers have entered the field of battle to declare a champion. For close to a century and a half, the Old Firm has been a critical component of Scottish culture.
In terms of the most-watched sporting events in the UK, the Old Firm ranks high on the list. Though the Scottish Premiership isn’t quite as popular as the Premier League or the Championship in terms of season-long viewership, that isn’t the case for Celtic-Rangers matches.
One primary reason that the Old Firm (or the Glasgow Derby, as some now call it) is such a popular affair is thanks to all-time records. Celtic have 167 wins compared to Rangers’ 169 wins. That means each win matters dearly – and that turns each match into a larger-than-life affair. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
As most are aware, the derby represents larger cultural causes, from supporter backgrounds to city-wide politics. Similarly, the length of its run has made it deeply ingrained in the local sports identity. On top of that, Rangers were able to make a thrilling comeback after the club was liquidated in 2012, clawing its way back to the Premiership one season at a time.
But the Old Firm isn’t alone. In fact, though it’s often ranked within the top five of all global football derbies, it might not be the most intense and most attended rivalry out there. Let’s take a look at some of the other larger-than-life derbies from around the world.
El Superclásico: Boca Juniors vs. River Plate
That’s right—Spain’s ‘el clasico’ isn’t quite as insane as Argentina’s ‘superclasico’. This rivalry takes place between the country’s two most popular domestic teams: Boca Juniors and River Plate, both native to Buenos Aires.
As with the Old Firm, the rivalry is deeply entrenched in local politics and culture, taking on greater meaning for locals. It’s also been going on since 1913 and includes a neck-in-neck battle. Of the clubs’ 261 total meetings, the Boca Juniors have an edge with 91 wins compared to River Plate’s 86. The tides turn back and forth, adding excitement for fans.
El Clasico: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
El Superclásico aside, Spain’s domestic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is probably the most well-known in the football world. Until recently, the world’s top footballers represented each side of the coin: Messi for Barca and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
Once more, political differences underpin the derby, driving fans and players alike. However, not all football fans consider the rivalry to be a proper derby. Usually, a derby refers to a crosstown rivalry, as with the cities of Glasgow, Buenos Aires, and Istanbul (below)—not one that spans a nation.
The Intercontinental Derby: Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce
If you know anything about the Turkish Super League, you know that fans of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are some of the most passionate in the world. Together, these clubs also embody one of the world’s most ingrained sports rivalries. It’s known as The Intercontinental Derby—but it’s also called the Eternal Rivalry, the Derby of Hate, or, most optimistically, the Derby of Friendship.
It all began with a particularly rough faceoff back in 1934 that eventually led to a brawl. Since then, the fight has transformed into a myriad of other issues. Galatasaray represents the geographically European portion of Istanbul, while Fenerbahce represents the geographically Asian side—hence the term ‘intercontinental’. Similar to Argentina’s Superclásico, these two teams claim the bulk of the country’s football fans, which means that derby matches are very well-attended.