There are a number of major football rivalries in Argentina.
See main article: Superclásico. The superderby (superclásico) is the most important football rivalry in Argentina, and the most important local derby. It is contested between Buenos Aires rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors. It name in Spanish derives from the usage of clásico to mean derby and the prefix súper to denote its importance, because Boca Juniors and River Plate are the two most popular and successful teams in Argentine football, commanding more than 70% of all Argentine football fans between them.[1]
Rivalry began due to the location of both clubs in the same neighborhood (La Boca, where were founded River Plate in 1901 and Boca Juniors in 1905) in the early 20th century (except for 1914 and 1915, when Boca Juniors moved its field to Wilde, a city of the Greater Buenos Aires, and then returned to its neighborhood), before River Plate left definitively the southern neighborhood in 1923 to move to the north of the city.The superderby is known worldwide as one of world football's fiercest and most important derbies.[2] It isn't particularly noted for the passion of the fans compared to the other important Argentine derbies due to their habituation to won trophies, but is the most followed in the country, and sometimes riots occurred.[3] The English newspaper The Observer put the superderby at the top of their list of 50 sporting things you must do before you die.[4]
See main article: Avellaneda derby. The Avellaneda derby (clásico de Avellaneda), contested between Independiente and Racing, is the second most important rivalry in Argentine football. Both teams are from the city of Avellaneda (that is located into the Greater Buenos Aires) but have many fans throughout the country, being the third (Racing) and fourth (Independiente) most popular clubs in Argentina, accounting for more than 9% of the nation's population.[5] [6] [7] They are also the third and fourth most successful Argentine teams respectively in terms of total number of honours won. Rivalry started in the first decade of the 20th century, when Independiente, that was founded in 1904 (but officially in 1905) in the neighboring city of Buenos Aires, moved to Avellaneda (named Barracas al Sud until 1904) in 1907, the same year of the first match against Racing (founded in Avellaneda in 1903), played on June 9 for the 3rd division and ended 3–2 in favor of Independiente. Since 1928 both stadiums are just 200 meters apart (Independiente's previous fields in Avellaneda were in other locations of the city). This derby is one of the most intense and colorful in the world, and didn't have a clear dominator until 1970s, when Independiente began to gain an advantage that is currently very large.
See main article: Rosario derby. The Rosario derby (clásico rosarino) is the most important derby between clubs that are not based in the autonomous city or the province of Buenos Aires. It is contested between Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central, the two major teams in the city of Rosario. The teams nicknames relate from the same incident where Rosario Central refused to play a charity game for a Leper colony, hence their nickname Canallas (Scoundrels). Newell's Old Boys stepped in to play the game and earned the nickname Los Leprosos (The Lepers).
This derby, that doesn't have a name of its own (although sometimes is denominated as "neighborhood's derby" or "porteño derby", this denominations never became popular), is contested between Huracán and San Lorenzo de Almagro, both clubs from Buenos Aires (being the second most important derby of the city). While San Lorenzo de Almagro is the fifth most popular and successful team in Argentine football (and part of the big five), with fans all over the country, Huracán was considered a big team in the amateur era (professional era started in 1931) and since then is considered like a "mid-sized" team, occupying the 10th place in number of honours won (also remaining most part of its history in 1st division) and having the majority of its fans in Buenos Aires and some cities of the Greater Buenos Aires (mainly Valentín Alsina, Lanús, Piñeiro and Gerli) that are near the south of Argentine capital.
Rivalry began due to the proximity of both clubs, that since early 20th century to 1979 had their different fields in boundary neighborhoods of the south of Buenos Aires. San Lorenzo de Almagro was founded on April 1, 1908, in Almagro neighborhood, but quickly moved to another location (also in Almagro) that later became a part of Boedo (recognized as an official neighborhood of Buenos Aires in 1972, but the area was informally denominated with this name since late 19th century). Huracán was founded on November 1, 1908, in Nueva Pompeya, and later moved to Parque Patricios, both neighborhoods that borders Boedo (and each other). From 1916 (year of inauguration of San Lorenzo de Almagro's old stadium, the Gasómetro) to 1923, stadiums of both clubs were only 500 meters apart, then Huracán (that had its stadium in this place since 1914) built a new stadium in another location of the same neighborhood due to the expropriation of its ground by the government for open a street. In 1979, Argentine dictatorial government expropriated the ground where San Lorenzo de Almagro had its stadium (which was then demolished) and later sold it to a private company that opened a hypermarket (that was closed in 2019 due to the negotiations of the team for recover this ground). The club maintained its headquarters (that were next to the stadium) in the same place, where also are installations for another sports practiced by the club (basketball, volleyball, etc.). During the 1980s and early 1990s, San Lorenzo de Almagro played its home matches in several stadiums of Buenos Aires (including Huracán's stadium) and the Greater Buenos Aires until began to build a new stadium (Pedro Bidegain stadium, known as Nuevo Gasómetro) in the 1990s, that was inaugurated on December 16, 1993, in Flores neighborhood (also in the south of Buenos Aires, 3 kilometers away from the old stadium). The derby has been dominated historically by San Lorenzo de Almagro.[8]
The Western derby (clásico del oeste) is contested between the two major teams in the west of the city of Buenos Aires, Ferro Carril Oeste and Vélez Sársfield. The first game was played in the amateur era in 1920 but this derby has not been played in official competition since Ferro's relegation from the Primera División in 2000. From the beginning of the professional era the difference between wins of Ferro Carril Oeste and Vélez Sarsfield has been 9 wins for the latter. This is one of the oldest derbies and rivalry began 11 years before the start of the professional AFA football league.[9]
See main article: La Plata derby. The La Plata derby (clásico platense) is contested between the two major clubs in the city of La Plata, Estudiantes de La Plata and Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.[10] The derby is fiercely contested, and the rivalry between the fans is so extreme that Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata fans have been accused of making death threats to their own team to lose on purpose to Boca Juniors during the 2006 Apertura; by strengthening Boca Juniors' lead at the top of the table, it would have damage Estudiantes' chances of winning the championship.[11]
See main article: Clásico cordobés. The Córdoba derby (clásico cordobés) is a closely contested derby between the two most popular teams of Córdoba, Belgrano and Talleres.[12] [13] The teams nicknames are "Matadores" for Talleres and "Piratas" for Belgrano.
See main article: Santa Fe derby. The Santa Fe derby (clásico santafesino) is contested between the two major teams in the city of Santa Fe, Colón and Unión. The derby had been played in official competition since 1913. Colón play their home games at the Estadio Brigadier López, while Unión play their home games at Estadio 15 de Abril. The teams nicknames are Sabaleros for Colón and Tatengues for Unión.
The Tucumán derby (clásico tucumano): is contested between the two major teams in the province of Tucumán, and it is played in San Miguel de Tucumán, San Martín de Tucumán vs. Club Atlético Tucumán, it is the most important match in northern Argentina.
General Pinto vs. Pintense
Fútbol Club Henderson vs. Juventud Unida (Henderson) - Hendersonense derby
San Lorenzo de Alem vs. Villa Cubas (Catamarqueño derby)
Chacarita vs. Parque Daza (Cuartel V derby)
Estudiantes de La Tablada vs. Policial (La Tablada derby)
Chaco For Ever vs. Sarmiento (Chaqueño derby)
Estudiantes de Resistencia vs. San Fernando (East derby)
Central Norte Argentino vs. Regional (Derby of the tracks)
Centauro vs. Nacional José María Paz (Derby of the colleges)
Universidad del Nordeste vs. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (University derby)
Independiente de Tirol vs. Juventud de Tirol (Puerto Tirol derby)
Alvear vs. Unión Progresista (Villa Ángela derby)
Aprendices Chaqueños vs. Sportivo de Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña (Saenzpeñense derby)
Banfield de Concepción del Bermejo vs. Central Norte de Concepción del Bermejo (Concepción del Bermejo derby)
Guillermo Brown vs. Madryn (Puerto Madryn derby)
Independiente de Trelew vs. Racing de Trelew (Trelewense derby)
Huracán de Comodoro Rivadavia vs. Jorge Newbery de Comodoro Rivadavia (Comodorense derby)
Arias Football Club vs. Belgrano Juniors Club Atlético y Biblioteca Popular (Ariense derby)
Club Deportivo y Cultural Arroyito vs. Club Sportivo 24 de Septiembre
Club Atlético Argentino vs. Club Atlético y Biblioteca Bell
Club Atletico Central vs. Club Atlético y Biblioteca River Plate
Club Centro Social Brinkmann vs. Club Atlético y Cultural San Jorge (Brinkmanense derby)
Belgrano vs. Talleres (Cordoban derby)
Instituto vs. Racing de Córdoba
Las Flores vs. San Lorenzo de Córdoba
Avellaneda vs. Escuela Presidente Roca
Club Atlético Las Palmas vs. Universitario de Córdoba
Argentino Peñarol vs. Huracán de Córdoba
Club Atlético Social Corralense vs. Corral de Bustos Sporting Club
Club Atlético Estudiantes vs. Club Atlético Independiente (Hernandense derby)
Club Atlético y Biblioteca Central Argentino vs. Asociación Española Jorge R. Ross
Asociación Deportiva 9 de Julio vs. Club Tiro Federal y Deportivo Morteros (Morterense derby)
Club Matienzo Mutual, Social y Deportivo vs. Club Atlético San Martín
Club Sportivo y Biblioteca Atenas vs. Asociación Atlética Estudiantes (Riocuartense derby)
Asociación Mutual Club Ateneo Juvenil Acción vs. Mutual Club Atlético Santa Rosa
Club Jorge Newbery M.S.D. vs Club Atlético Atenas (Ucachense derby)
Club Atlético Carlos Paz vs. Club Atlético Independiente
Corrientes vs. Libertad de Corrientes
Esquina vs. Esquinense (Esquinense derby)
General Belgrano vs. Huracán de Curuzú Cuatiá
Barracas de Curuzú Cuatiá vs. Victoria
Barraca vs. Guaraní de Paso de los Libres
Belgrano de Paraná vs. Paraná
Peñarol de Paraná vs. Sportivo Urquiza
Instituto de Paraná vs. Universitario Paraná
Atlético Uruguay vs. Gimnasia y Esgrima de Concepción del Uruguay (Uruguayense derby)
Almagro de Concepción del Uruguay vs. Parque Sur
Central Entrerriano vs. Juventud Unida (Gualeguaychú derby)
Pueblo Nuevo vs. Unión del Suburbio
Defensores del Oeste vs. Sarmiento de Gualeguaychú
La Vencedora vs. Sporting de Gualeguaychú
Arsenal de Viale vs. Viale (Vialense derby)
Cultural de Crespo vs. Sarmiento de Crespo (Crespense derby)
Cañadita Central vs. Seguí (Seguiense derby)
Hernandarias vs. Independiente de Villa Hernandarias (Villa Hernandarias derby)
Hasenkamp vs. Juventud Sarmiento (Hasenkampense derby)
Juventud Urdinarrain vs. Urdinarrain (Urdinarrain derby)
Defensores de Colón vs. Sauce
Campito vs. Ñapindá
Chacra Ocho vs. Sol de América de Formosa (Formoseño derby)
Fontana vs. Sportivo Patria
Cuyaya vs. General Lavalle
El Chañi vs. El Cruce
San Pedro vs. Tiro y Gimnasia (Sanpedreño derby)
Mitre de Calilegua vs. Unión Calilegua
Ingeniero Herminio Arrieta vs. San Francisco Bancario
Defensores de Monterrico vs. Monterrico San Vicente (Monterrico derby)
El Carmen vs. Rivadavia de El Carmen
Argentino de La Quiaca vs. Libertad de La Quiaca
Andino vs. Defensores de La Boca
Américo Tesoreri vs. Rioja Juniors
Independiente de La Rioja vs. Riojano
Defensores de La Plata vs. Estrella Roja
All Boys de Santa Rosa vs. Club Atlético Santa Rosa (Santarroceño derby)
Club Social y Deportivo Cochicó vs. Deportivo Telén (Derby of the West)
Independiente de Jacinto Aráuz vs. Villa Mengelle (Jacinto Aráuz derby)
Huracán de Guatraché vs. Pampero (Guatrachense derby)
Gimnasia y Esgrima vs. Independiente Rivadavia (Mendozan derby)
Andes Talleres vs. Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (Godoycruceño derby)
Algarrobal vs. Huracán Las Heras (Lasheriño derby)
Huracán de San Rafael vs. Pedal
El Porvenir de San Rafael vs. Quiroga
Constitución vs. San Luis de San Rafael
Bartolomé Mitre de Posadas vs. Guaraní Antonio Franco (Posadeño derby)
Jorge Gibson Brown vs. Posadas
Oberá vs. Olimpia de Oberá (Obereño derby)
Tacuarí vs. Villa Nueva
Central Iguazú vs. Galaxia
El Timbó vs. Jardín América (Jardinense derby)
Santo Pipó Sporting vs. Tigre de Santo Pipó (Piposeño derby)
Garuhapé vs. Mandiyú de Garuhapé (Garuhapé derby)
Independiente de Neuquén vs. Pacífico de Neuquén
Maronese vs. San Lorenzo de Neuquén
Barrio Don Bosco vs. Unión de Don Bosco (Zapalian derby)
Cipolletti vs. San Martín de Cipolletti
Pillmatún vs. San Pablo de Cipolletti
Italiano de Villa Regina vs. Regina (Reginense derby)
Estudiantes Unidos vs. Independiente de Bariloche (Barilochense derby)
Alto Valle vs. Unión Alem Progresista (Allense derby)
Argentinos del Norte vs. General Roca (Roquense derby)
Juventud Antoniana vs. Central Norte
Mitre de Salta vs. Villa San Antonio
Estudiantes de San Luis vs. Juventud Unida Universitario (Puntano derby)
Deseado Juniors vs. Ferrocarriles del Estado (Deseadense derby)
Independiente de Puerto San Julián vs. Racing de Puerto San Julián (Puerto San Julián derby)
Newell's Old Boys vs. Rosario Central (Rosarian derby)
Argentino de Rosario vs. Central Córdoba
Colón vs. Unión (Santa Fe derby)
Atlético de Rafaela vs. Nueve de Julio (Rafaelian derby)
Argentino Quilmes vs. Peñarol de Rafaela
Atenas de Santo Tomé vs. Independiente de Santo Tomé (Santotomesino derby)
Libertad de Sunchales vs. Unión de Sunchales (Sunchalian derby)
Empalme vs. Empalme Central (Empalmense derby)
Arroyo Seco vs. Unión de Arroyo Seco (Arroyense derby)
Argentino de Firmat vs. Firmat (Firmatense derby)
Alumni de Casilda vs. Aprendices Casildenses
Argentino de Las Parejas vs. Sportivo (Parejense derby)
Adelante vs. Platense Porvenir
Nueva Chicago de Reconquista vs. Racing de Reconquista
Argentino de San Carlos Centro vs. Central San Carlos (Sancarlino derby)
Juventud de Esperanza vs. Sportivo del Norte (North neighborhood derby)
Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero vs. Mitre (Santiagueño derby)
Comercio Central Unidos vs. Estudiantes de Santiago del Estero
Central Argentino de La Banda vs. Sarmiento de La Banda (Bandeño derby)
Loreto vs. Unión Obrera (Loretano derby)
San Martín vs. Tucumán (Tucumanian derby)
Amalia vs. Tucumán Central
Aguilares vs. Jorge Newbery (Aguilares derby)
San Lorenzo de Santa Ana vs. Santa Ana (Santa Ana derby)
Juventud Unida de Tafí Viejo vs. Talleres de Tafí Viejo (Taficeño derby)