Few leagues in world football can match the drama, passion, and intensity of the EFL Championship. And nowhere is that passion more obvious than in local derbies. From clashes with roots dating back to the 1880s to fierce modern grudge matches, the 2025/26 EFL Championship season is stacked with derby days that promise fireworks on and off the pitch.
Here are the top five derbies you won’t want to miss this season.
The Steel City Derby – Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday
Few fixtures in English football generate the same intensity as the Steel City Derby. Just 3.7 miles separate Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday across the city, and their rivalry, dating back to their first meeting in 1891, is among the fiercest in the UK. The historic ledger is tight, as United lead the head-to-head with 51 wins to Wednesday’s 48, alongside 47 draws.
Recent history, however, has been firmly red and white. United did the double over Wednesday last season with two 1-0 victories, extending the Owls’ dismal record to five consecutive derbies without scoring. Wednesday’s last taste of victory came way back on 26th February 2012, a 1-0 win at Hillsborough in League One.
The sides face starkly different prospects this season. United, under new boss Rubén Sellés, are aiming for a Premier League return after the heartbreak of last season’s playoff final defeat. Wednesday, meanwhile, are mired in financial turmoil. Restrictions imposed due to unpaid wages have left the club under a transfer embargo that bars even free transfers until debts are settled, creating an ominous backdrop as they fight to avoid the drop.
Mark your calendars for derby weekends on 22nd November and 21st February, as the bragging rights in Sheffield could carry enormous consequences for both clubs’ campaigns.
The East Anglian Derby – Ipswich Town vs Norwich City
The East Anglian Derby roars back into the EFL Championship this season, with Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League reigniting their historic rivalry with Norwich. Separated by just 46 miles up the A140, Ipswich and Norwich are the only EFL representatives of Suffolk and Norfolk, making these games a matter of immense regional pride.
The derby’s roots stretch as far back as 1902 in the Norfolk & Suffolk League, but in the professional era since 1946, it’s been dead even: 43 wins each and 23 draws. However, the Canaries have enjoyed the upper hand in recent years, going unbeaten in the last 14 meetings, including a 1-0 victory in April 2024 when Ipswich were chasing promotion to the Premier League. The Tractor Boys’ last derby triumph was a 3-2 home win on 19th April 2009.
This season could be different, as Kieran McKenna will be determined to guide Ipswich straight back to the top flight at the first attempt, while Norwich, now under Liam Manning, are eager to improve on last season’s mid-table finish. Derby days are scheduled for the weekends of 4th October and 11th April, and you don’t want to miss them.
The South Coast Derby – Southampton vs Portsmouth
One of English football’s most volatile rivalries is back on the EFL Championship stage. Separated by only 19 miles, the South Coast Derby between Southampton and Portsmouth boasts a shared history laced with tension, violence, and unforgettable clashes.
Their rivalry goes back to the turn of the 20th century in the Southern League. Saints hold the upper hand in the historical record with 35 wins to Pompey’s 21, plus 15 draws. However, this will be their first league meeting since the 2011/12 season and their first clash of any kind since a fractious EFL Cup tie in September 2019. That night, a heavy police presence failed to prevent chaos around Fratton Park, culminating in multiple arrests and even a police horse being punched after Southampton’s 4-0 win.
This time, the stakes are high again. Southampton, led by new manager Will Still, are aiming to bounce straight back to the Premier League after their dismal 2024/25 season in the top flight. Portsmouth, under John Mousinho, enjoyed a solid return to the EFL Championship and will look to build on that stability in the coming season.
Expect fireworks when these two collide on the weekends of 13th September and 24th January. The South Coast Derby rarely disappoints, and this season should be no exception.
The South London Derby – Millwall vs Charlton Athletic
While not the primary rivalry for either club, the South London Derby between Millwall and Charlton Athletic remains one of the capital’s most hotly contested matchups.
Separated by less than four miles, with The Den in New Cross and The Valley in Greenwich, the two clubs have traded blows since 1921. While Charlton won the first two fixtures, Millwall have dominated the rivalry since, claiming 37 of the 74 league encounters. The Addicks have managed just 11 wins in the derby’s history, and The Lions are currently on a twelve-game unbeaten run in this fixture, dating back to 1996.
This season marks the derby’s return after a five-year absence since Millwall’s 1-0 win at The Valley during the pandemic-hit 2020 campaign. Charlton, under Nathan Jones, are back in the EFL Championship following a successful playoff push, while Millwall, managed by Alex Neil, narrowly missed out on the top six on the final day of the season.
The weekends of 13th September and 24th January will see these old rivals face off once again.
The Lancashire Derby – Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
With their traditional fiercest rivals elsewhere, with Burnley up in the Premier League and Blackpool down in League One, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End now turn full focus to the Lancashire Derby.
Separated by just 13 miles, this North-West rivalry is one of the Football League’s oldest, dating back to 1888. Preston lead the head-to-head with 47 wins to Blackburn’s 35, with 33 draws. Recently, the fixture has been tightly contested, with three draws and one win each in the last five meetings, with Blackburn claiming a 2-1 win at Ewood Park in January 2025.
The 2025/26 campaign presents big opportunities for both sides. Blackburn, under Valérien Ismaël, narrowly missed the playoffs last season, finishing 7th. Preston survived a relegation scare to finish 20th, and boss Paul Heckingbottom will be expected to steer them to safer waters this time around. These local battles could prove crucial in doing so.
Look out for the Lancashire Derby on the weekends of 22nd November and 21st February.
