US Trends

what is a derby

Quick Scoop

A derby usually means a sports match between two local rivals, especially in football/soccer, and it can also refer to a horse race or other competition depending on context. In everyday sports talk, people most often mean a big, emotional local rivalry game.

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What it means

In soccer and other team sports, a derby is a game between clubs from the same city or nearby area, which makes the match feel extra intense because of bragging rights and long- standing rivalry. The term can also mean an annual horse race, such as the Kentucky Derby, or, in some US usage, a public contest like a fishing derby.

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Why people care

  • Local pride is on the line.
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  • The atmosphere is usually louder and more passionate than a normal match.
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  • The rivalry may have history that goes back many years.
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Example

If two clubs from the same city play each other, fans may call it a derby, like a North London derby or a Madrid derby.

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