The top European derbies to watch in 2025

There are so many exciting derbies in European football, and the first half of the 2025/2026 season will deliver some of them.

Clubs in Europe’s top five leagues always guarantee entertainment when they play; however, each of them shares a rivalry with some clubs.

The rivalry could be a result of being in the same city or because they have challenged each other for success at the same time in the past.

Fans who buy Premier League tickets are treated to so many rivalries among clubs in the competition, with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City, among others, rivalling each other in the competition.

In La Liga, the three top clubs are Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and whenever any of them meets each other, it is a game to watch.

However, there are also city-linked rivalries like the one between Barcelona and Espanyol, as well as Real Madrid and Getafe.

Read More: Can Xabi Alonso find success in Madrid as he did at Bayer Leverkusen?

Fans who buy Serie A tickets never want to miss matches between Juventus and Inter Milan, even though there are other top rivalries in the competition.

In Germany, the main rivals are Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund; however, in recent seasons, Bayer Leverkusen has entered the mix as one of the top clubs in the country.

Several fans would buy Bundesliga tickets because of these three clubs, and their matches against each other are always watched by millions around the world.

The 2025/2026 season presents these clubs with a chance to show what they truly can do, and we expect their rivalries to be exciting.

What are the derbies you should not miss before 2025 ends?

There are many derbies to follow in 2025, but these are the ones we think you should not miss.

Juventus vs Inter Milan, 13th September

This Derby d’Italia has come very early in the season, and it could be a good thing because Juventus and Inter Milan can test how ready they are for the new season.

Cristian Chivu has been chosen to fill the big shoes left behind by Simone Inzaghi at Inter, and he knows it would be tough.

Inter was beaten by Juventus earlier this year, but that was their first and only loss in the last six matches between these teams. Who will win this fixture?

Arsenal vs Tottenham, 22nd November

Arsenal and Tottenham met for the first time outside England in a pre-season, and Spurs won the game 1-0. Can they replicate that in the league?

Thomas Frank knows he has a tough task in leading Spurs, while Arsenal wants to win the league title.

This game is between two London rivals, and Arsenal has dominated the last six competitive matches between them, winning five and losing none.

Under Frank, their fans will hope they can cause Arsenal more problems, and it would be great if he won this game at the Emirates.

Manchester City vs Manchester United, 14th September

Manchester United and Manchester City have splashed the cash on new players this summer, so we expect both clubs to do well this season.

The first Manchester derby will arrive early in the season, and it is a chance for both clubs to show they mean business.

City has been the most successful of both clubs in recent seasons, but when they face United, they always struggle.

In the last four matches between these clubs, Pep Guardiola’s side has not won any of the games, losing two.

As his team tries to get back to the top of the game, their fans would buy tickets for this match, hoping they will win.

Liverpool vs Manchester United, 18th September

Defending champions, Liverpool, have also strengthened their squad, and most people think Arne Slot’s team will defend the league crown.

They have the players and the manager to defend the title, and beating United in this game would be great.

Liverpool dominated the games between these teams until Ruben Amorim arrived in Manchester. He nearly beat Liverpool in a 2-2 draw at Anfield, and the Reds now have a chance to show they can unlock his tactics and win.

The ticket for this game is already selling fast and starts at €275.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund, 18th October

Bayern and Dortmund share a strong rivalry, even though BVB has been struggling for some seasons.

These two teams are the clubs that most Germans consider the best in their country, despite the recent emergence of Bayer Leverkusen as a top opponent.

Bayern has continued to dominate the league, and they have more money and power than the rest.

On the pitch, it helps that they have the best players, but BVB also has good stars and spends money to buy or discover talent.

But Nico Kovac must come up with a good game plan to avoid a defeat in this game, just as he did last season.

Bayern has now failed to beat BVB in three consecutive games, losing one of them, and their fans would want them to win this match.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona, 26th October

Most fans would consider this game the biggest rivalry in world football, and it is hard to argue against that, considering the players on both teams.

The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi made this game one of the biggest fixtures to follow, and there is a new manager in Madrid.

Last season, Barcelona absolutely dominated he matches between these teams, but Xabi Alonso knows he cannot allow this to happen again this term.

Hansi Flick has added Marcus Rashford to his team, so there is even more star power in the teams.

Barca has won four of the last five matches between these clubs. Can they also win this match?

Olympique Marseille vs PSG, 21st September

Olympique Marseille is one of the clubs we expected to overtake PSG now that Kylian Mbappe has left.

However, PSG became stronger and still dominates the domestic scene in Ligue 1, with Olympique Marseille settling for a Champions League-place finish.

Under Roberto de Zerbi, they have been one of the teams selling the most Ligue 1 tickets, and we expect them to keep enjoying success.

This season would be important to them, and they would want to win the first derby between them and PSG.

Despite their recent resurgence, OM is still not a match for PSG, and they have lost the last five matches between them.

It would be tough for them to win this game, but the match’s tickets are selling fast, as it is the biggest in the country.