| Thuringia derby | |
| Teams: | Carl Zeiss Jena Rot-Weiß Erfurt |
| Firstmeeting: | (19 November 1952) 1952–53 Oberliga West |
| Mostrecent: | (4 September 2024) 2024–25 Regionalliga Nordost |
| Nextmeeting: | (23 February 2025) 2024–25 Regionalliga Nordost |
| Stadiums: | Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld (Carl Zeiss Jena) Steigerwaldstadion (Rot-Weiß Erfurt) |
| Total: | 93 |
| Most Wins: | Carl Zeiss Jena (38) |
| Map Location: | Thuringia |
| Map Label1: | Carl Zeiss Jena |
| Map Label1 Position: | bottom |
| Map Mark1: | Blue pog.svg |
| Coordinates1: | 50.9161°N 11.5831°W |
| Map Label2: | Rot-Weiß Erfurt |
| Map Label2 Position: | top |
| Map Mark2: | Red pog.svg |
| Coordinates2: | 50.9603°N 11.0372°W |
The Thuringia derby[1] (de|Thüringenderby) is a long-standing and intense football rivalry between the two major clubs from the German state of Thuringia - FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt. It is considered one of the most heated regional derbies in German football.
The derby dates back to the 1950s when both clubs were leading teams in East Germany's top division, the DDR-Oberliga. During this era, FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt were the dominant clubs in the Thuringia region, and their matches were highly anticipated and passionately contested.
After German reunification in 1990, the derby continued in the reunified Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga as the two clubs spent many seasons in the same division, ensuring the rivalry remained fierce. Matches between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt are known for their intense atmospheres, with fans of both teams creating tense and hostile environments in the stadiums.[2]
Some of the most memorable Thuringia derby matches include:
The 1998 match, in which FC Carl Zeiss Jena defeated Rot-Weiß Erfurt 3-2, represents the largest documented margin of victory in a Thuringia derby.
As of the 2024-25 season, both FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt play in the Regionalliga Nordost, Germany's [4 teir]. Their most recent meeting was a 1-1 draw in August 2023. The Thuringia Derby remains an important fixture for the supporters of both clubs, who continue to passionately back their team in these regional clashes.
| Competition | Played | Carl Zeiss Jena wins | Draws | Rot-Weiß Erfurt wins | Carl Zeiss Jena goals | Rot-Weiß Erfurt goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Bundesliga | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 3. Liga | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 15 | |
| Oberliga West | 63 | 27 | 17 | 19 | 91 | 63 | |
| Regionalliga Nord | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Regionalliga Nordost | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 15 | 12 | |
| Regionalliga Süd | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| FDGB-Pokal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 5 | |
| Total | 93 | 38 | 28 | 27 | 129 | 95 |