The 2026/27 English football season offers a compelling mixture of established rivalries, revived local derbies and fixtures renewed by promotion and relegation.

At the top of the pyramid, Arsenal begin the campaign as defending Premier League champions, adding another layer to their meetings with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United. Newcastle United and Sunderland are also preparing for another season of Tyne-Wear derbies after the Black Cats’ successful return to the top flight.

The Championship may offer the most intense rivalry calendar of any division. West Ham United’s relegation has renewed the Dockers derby with Millwall, while Wolves will face West Bromwich Albion in the Black Country derby. Cardiff City’s promotion also places three major Welsh clubs in the same division.

Further down the pyramid, the concentration of South Yorkshire teams in League One promises a season of packed away ends and intense regional contests.

These are the best English football rivalries to watch throughout 2026/27.

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

The North London derby remains one of the defining fixtures of the Premier League season.

Arsenal enter the campaign as defending champions, while Tottenham are attempting to rebuild after two consecutive 17th-place finishes. That contrast gives the rivalry a new dynamic.

For Arsenal, the matches provide an opportunity to reinforce their position as the leading club in North London. For Tottenham, defeating the champions would offer supporters evidence that the club is beginning to move in the right direction.

The first league meeting is scheduled to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, with the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium currently set for May.

That second match could carry enormous importance. Arsenal may be defending their title during the closing weeks, while Tottenham could be competing for European qualification or attempting to avoid another difficult finish.

Regardless of league position, the rivalry’s history, atmosphere and geographic proximity ensure both matches will be among the most anticipated of the season.

Liverpool vs Manchester United

Liverpool against Manchester United does not require geographic proximity to generate intensity.

The rivalry is based on two successful football clubs representing cities with a long history of economic, cultural and sporting competition. Between them, Liverpool and United have won 40 English league championships.

Manchester United enter 2026/27 after a dramatic recovery under Michael Carrick. Their third-place finish in the previous campaign returned Champions League football to Old Trafford and created renewed optimism.

Liverpool begin the season in a period of transition after finishing fifth. Changes to the management and playing squad have increased the sense that a new era is developing at Anfield.

The rivalry is therefore about more than historical achievement. Both clubs are attempting to establish themselves as credible challengers to Arsenal and Manchester City.

A victory in this fixture can shape the mood around either club for weeks. A heavy defeat can expose tactical weaknesses and quickly increase pressure on players and managers.

Leeds United vs Manchester United

Leeds United against Manchester United is one of English football’s fiercest rivalries.

Although the clubs are based in different counties, the rivalry is rooted in the historic competition between Yorkshire and Lancashire. It also draws on the symbolism of the Wars of the Roses, with Leeds associated with the white rose of Yorkshire and Manchester United representing the red rose of Lancashire.

The football rivalry became particularly intense during the 1960s and 1970s. Don Revie’s Leeds competed directly with Matt Busby’s Manchester United for domestic honours, producing physical, confrontational matches featuring some of the era’s greatest players.

The fixture gained another layer through several notable transfers. Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen, Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith all represented both clubs, with some moves creating lasting controversy among supporters.

Leeds’ return to the Premier League restored this historic fixture to the top-flight calendar. The clubs now enter the 2026/27 season with contrasting objectives but renewed confidence.

Manchester United are attempting to build on their third-place finish and establish themselves as Premier League title challengers again. Leeds, meanwhile, are looking to consolidate after securing survival during their first season back in the division.

The rivalry’s competitive imbalance at different points in the modern era has never reduced its emotional intensity. Elland Road creates a particularly hostile atmosphere when Manchester United visit, while Leeds supporters travel to Old Trafford in large numbers.

For Manchester United, the fixture is an opportunity to reinforce their status against one of their traditional rivals. For Leeds, defeating Man United remains one of the most meaningful results available in any Premier League season.

With both clubs beginning 2026/27 from stronger positions than 12 months earlier, their meetings should combine historical hostility with genuine importance at opposite ends of the league table.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

The Manchester derby enters a new phase in 2026/27.

For most of the previous decade, Manchester City were the dominant force. Pep Guardiola’s team won six Premier League titles and produced several record-breaking campaigns.

Guardiola’s departure has changed the balance of the rivalry. City remain one of the strongest teams in England, but they are now attempting to begin another successful cycle under new leadership.

United, meanwhile, finished above expectations in 2025/26 and returned to the Champions League. Their challenge is to demonstrate that the improvement was sustainable rather than temporary.

The derby could provide an important measurement of each club’s progress.

City want to prove that their success was built on more than one manager. United want to show that they can compete with their neighbours over a full Premier League season rather than in isolated matches.

With both clubs targeting the leading positions, the Manchester derbies could influence the title race and Champions League qualification.

Liverpool vs Everton

The Merseyside derby remains one of English football’s most recognisable local rivalries.

The fixture is traditionally known as the friendly derby because many families across Liverpool contain supporters of both clubs. On the pitch, however, meetings have frequently been physical, emotional and unpredictable.

Everton are entering their second Premier League season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Their goal is to move beyond consecutive 13th-place finishes and begin challenging for a place in the top half.

Liverpool are attempting to re-establish themselves as title contenders after an inconsistent campaign.

The change of stadium has introduced a new setting for the rivalry. Goodison Park’s enclosed stands and intense atmosphere shaped the fixture for generations. Everton must now create similarly intimidating conditions at their waterfront home.

For Liverpool, winning the derby is essential to maintaining local authority. For Everton, success would help establish the new stadium as a venue capable of producing major moments.

Newcastle United vs Sunderland

The Tyne-Wear derby returned to the Premier League after Sunderland’s promotion in 2025.

Sunderland exceeded expectations during their first season back, finishing seventh and securing European qualification. Their achievement transformed the rivalry’s immediate context.

The Black Cats are no longer approaching Newcastle solely as underdogs celebrating their return to the top flight. They finished above the Magpies in 2025/26 and enter the new campaign with genuine confidence.

Newcastle are attempting to recover after dropping into the bottom half. Changes to the management and squad have created uncertainty, but the club’s resources and support ensure expectations remain high.

The rivalry extends beyond football. It reflects regional identity, civic pride and a long-standing division between two neighbouring cities.

Matches at St James’ Park and the Stadium of Light are among the loudest and most emotionally charged occasions in English football. With both teams competing in the same division and Sunderland returning to Europe, the rivalry has gained renewed competitive significance.

Arsenal vs Manchester City

Arsenal and Manchester City have developed one of the Premier League’s most important modern rivalries.

The connection between the clubs runs through Mikel Arteta, who previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant before becoming Arsenal manager. Several players have also moved between Manchester and North London.

Arsenal experienced painful title defeats before finally finishing above City and becoming champions in 2025/26. Defending that championship presents a different psychological challenge.

City will view their meetings with Arsenal as opportunities to reassert control. Arsenal must prove that their title represented the beginning of a successful period rather than the conclusion of a single campaign.

The tactical quality of these matches makes them especially compelling. Both teams want to dominate possession, press intelligently and control territory.

Their meetings may not possess the history of the North London or Manchester derbies, but they could have a greater direct influence on the destination of the Premier League trophy.

Chelsea vs Arsenal

Chelsea and Arsenal bring together two of London’s most successful clubs.

The rivalry grew significantly during the 2000s when Chelsea’s rise under José Mourinho challenged Arsenal’s established position among the leading teams in England.

Their meetings have included title battles, cup finals, controversial transfers and memorable individual performances.

Arsenal enter the new season as champions, while Chelsea are rebuilding again following a turbulent campaign that ended with a 10th-place finish.

That difference creates pressure on Chelsea. The club have invested heavily and assembled a talented young squad, but results have not consistently matched expectations.

Defeating Arsenal would offer Chelsea evidence that their development is moving forward. Arsenal will want to reinforce their status as London’s leading club and avoid giving their rivals momentum.

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea against Tottenham has become one of the Premier League’s most consistently heated London fixtures.

The rivalry contains several layers. Both clubs have competed for Champions League qualification and domestic trophies, while individual matches have frequently included confrontations, disciplinary incidents and dramatic scorelines.

The 2016 meeting at Stamford Bridge remains an important part of the rivalry’s modern history. Tottenham’s draw ended their title challenge and confirmed Leicester City as champions.

More recently, Postecoglou’s Tottenham continued playing with an extremely high defensive line despite being reduced to nine players during a chaotic match against Chelsea.

In 2026/27, both sides are attempting to recover from difficult domestic campaigns. Neither can afford another season in the lower half.

That shared pressure could make their meetings particularly intense.

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace

Brighton against Crystal Palace is one of English football’s most unusual rivalries.

The clubs are separated by a significant distance and do not share the same city or county. The tension developed through a series of competitive meetings during the 1970s, particularly when Alan Mullery and Terry Venables managed the teams.

The rivalry survived long periods in different divisions and regained prominence when both clubs reached the Premier League.

Matches are accompanied by significant travelling support, intense atmospheres and a strong desire to claim superiority.

Both clubs have established themselves as ambitious Premier League operations capable of developing players and challenging for European qualification. Their meetings now combine historical hostility with meaningful competition in the top half.

West Ham United vs Millwall

The return of West Ham United against Millwall is one of the biggest stories of the 2026/27 Championship season.

West Ham’s relegation has placed the clubs in the same league for the first time in years. It revives the Dockers derby, one of the most notorious rivalries in English football.

Its origins are connected to the dockworking communities of East and South London. West Ham developed from Thames Ironworks, while Millwall’s early identity was linked to workers on the Isle of Dogs.

Industrial competition, geographic proximity and supporter culture turned the fixture into a deeply hostile rivalry.

Because the clubs have spent long periods in different divisions, league meetings have become relatively rare. That absence has intensified anticipation around their return.

The operational and security arrangements will be closely monitored, but the footballing context also matters. West Ham will be expected to challenge for immediate promotion, while Millwall will relish the opportunity to disrupt their rivals’ campaign.

West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The Black Country derby returns to the Championship following Wolves’ relegation.

West Brom and Wolves are separated by a short distance, and their rivalry reflects the industrial identity of the Black Country.

Both clubs have won major honours and spent long periods in the top flight. Their supporters disagree strongly over regional superiority, creating one of the fiercest atmospheres in the Midlands.

Wolves are attempting to return immediately to the Premier League after finishing bottom in 2025/26. Albion will want to prevent their rivals from controlling the promotion race.

The fixture also offers Wolves an immediate test of character. Relegated teams can struggle to adapt to the Championship’s physical demands and relentless schedule.

A derby defeat could quickly increase pressure. A victory could provide momentum for a promotion challenge.

Birmingham City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves will also renew their West Midlands rivalry with Birmingham City.

It does not possess the same intensity as the Black Country derby, but the fixture remains highly significant. The clubs have not met regularly in recent years, which should add freshness to their encounters.

Birmingham have substantial ambitions and will be targeting progression towards the Premier League. Wolves enter the division with parachute payments, recent top-flight experience and expectations of promotion.

If both clubs remain near the leading positions, their meetings could influence the automatic promotion race.

The combination of regional pride and competitive stakes makes this one of the Championship’s most intriguing secondary rivalries.

Cardiff City vs Swansea City

The South Wales derby returns as a Championship fixture following Cardiff City’s promotion.

Cardiff and Swansea represent Wales’ two largest cities, and their rivalry is one of the most intense in British football.

The atmosphere reflects differences in geography, identity and football culture. Results carry significance far beyond the league table, particularly for supporters who work or live alongside fans of the opposing club.

The derby has produced periods of dominance for both sides, but form can become irrelevant when they meet.

Cardiff will enter the fixtures with momentum from promotion, while Swansea will want to reassert their position as the leading Welsh club in the division.

Cardiff City vs Wrexham

Wrexham’s presence in the Championship adds another major Welsh storyline.

The rivalry with Cardiff does not have the same regular history as the South Wales derby, but it reflects the distinction between North and South Wales.

Wrexham’s rise through the divisions has brought global attention and significant expectations. Facing Cardiff provides a different test, one rooted in Welsh football identity rather than international publicity.

The matches will allow each club to make a claim for national prominence.

With Swansea also in the Championship, the 2026/27 season creates a rare three-way Welsh contest involving the country’s most prominent professional clubs.

Wrexham vs Swansea City

Wrexham and Swansea bring together two clubs whose recent histories have followed very different paths.

Swansea reached the Premier League, won the League Cup and competed in Europe. Wrexham fell into non-league football before beginning a remarkable climb through the pyramid.

Their meetings in the Championship symbolise Wrexham’s rapid progress and provide the club with another important Welsh fixture.

For Swansea, the games offer an opportunity to defend their established position. For Wrexham, victory would reinforce the idea that their rise is capable of carrying them towards the Premier League.

Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers

The East Lancashire derby remains one of the oldest rivalries in English football.

Burnley and Blackburn are former English champions located only a short distance apart. Their matches are shaped by local pride and communities with long industrial histories.

Burnley’s relegation has reunited the clubs in the Championship.

The Clarets will expect to challenge for promotion, while Blackburn will be determined to prevent their rivals from achieving an immediate return.

Recent meetings have often featured Burnley success, increasing Blackburn’s motivation to change the direction of the rivalry.

With both clubs potentially involved in the promotion race, the East Lancashire derby could carry major consequences.

Portsmouth vs Southampton

The South Coast derby returns to the Championship calendar.

Portsmouth and Southampton represent neighbouring cities with a rivalry shaped by geography, maritime history and footballing identity.

The clubs have spent much of the modern era in different divisions. Southampton enjoyed a prolonged Premier League stay, while Portsmouth moved through severe financial problems and the lower leagues.

Their return to the same level gives the rivalry renewed relevance.

Southampton may enter with greater recent top-flight experience, but Portsmouth’s home atmosphere at Fratton Park can make conventional expectations meaningless.

This is a rivalry in which supporters value local superiority almost as highly as league position.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Barnsley

Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation to League One has created a packed South Yorkshire rivalry calendar.

Wednesday and Barnsley have met regularly across the EFL, including matches with direct promotion implications.

The clubs are separated by a relatively short journey, ensuring large and vocal away support. Wednesday’s larger stadium and historical profile do not reduce Barnsley’s confidence when the teams meet.

Their 2023 League One play-off final produced an especially dramatic chapter, with Wednesday scoring a late extra-time winner at Wembley.

That result remains part of the emotional backdrop as the rivalry resumes.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster’s presence in League One adds another South Yorkshire contest for Wednesday.

The fixture does not carry the same historical intensity as the Steel City derby, but it offers Doncaster an opportunity to test themselves against one of the division’s largest clubs.

Wednesday will be expected to challenge near the top following relegation. That expectation ensures rival teams will approach matches against them with additional motivation.

For Doncaster, defeating Wednesday would provide local pride and a major result against a high-profile opponent.

Barnsley vs Rotherham United

Barnsley and Rotherham United complete another important South Yorkshire rivalry.

The clubs frequently operate at similar levels, making their meetings especially competitive. Neither side possesses a permanent status advantage, and matches can influence promotion challenges or relegation battles.

The short distance between the towns guarantees substantial travelling support.

League One’s regional composition means these clubs will meet several local opponents, but Barnsley against Rotherham should remain among the most physical and intense fixtures.

Rochdale vs Oldham Athletic

The promotion of Rochdale into League Two renews their rivalry with Oldham Athletic.

Both Greater Manchester clubs have endured difficult modern periods and spent time outside the EFL. Their recovery gives the fixture renewed importance.

The rivalry may not attract the global attention of Premier League derbies, but it represents the depth of English football culture.

Supporters have followed both clubs through financial uncertainty, relegation and non-league competition. Returning to the EFL and facing a familiar local opponent brings genuine emotional significance.

These are the types of fixtures that demonstrate why English football rivalries extend far beyond the top division.

Why the Championship Has the Best Derby Calendar

The Premier League contains the most commercially prominent rivalries, but the Championship may provide the strongest overall group of derbies in 2026/27.

Its calendar includes:

• West Ham United vs Millwall
• West Bromwich Albion vs Wolves
• Wolves vs Birmingham City
• Cardiff City vs Swansea City
• Cardiff City vs Wrexham
• Swansea City vs Wrexham
• Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers
• Portsmouth vs Southampton

These matches bring together local identity, historical hostility and meaningful competitive stakes.

Several clubs involved will also be targeting promotion. A derby will not simply determine regional superiority. It could directly affect the race for the Premier League.

The absence of VAR from regular Championship fixtures may also create a faster, less interrupted experience, although controversial decisions will inevitably become part of the post-match discussion.

The Rivalries That Could Define 2026/27

The most important rivalries of 2026/27 will not all be decided by historical reputation.

Arsenal against Manchester City could help determine the Premier League champions. Manchester United’s matches against City and Liverpool will reveal whether their revival is genuine.

The Tyne-Wear derby has gained a fascinating new dynamic following Sunderland’s seventh-place finish. The Black Cats now enter the fixture with European football and a recent league position above Newcastle.

In the Championship, West Ham against Millwall will attract enormous attention, while Wolves against West Brom could influence the promotion race. The three-way Welsh contest involving Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham adds another unique feature to the season.

League One’s concentration of South Yorkshire clubs and League Two’s revived local contests ensure the intensity continues throughout the pyramid.

The 2026/27 season offers more than traditional headline fixtures. Promotion and relegation have reunited clubs after long periods apart, revived dormant tensions and created new competitive contexts for familiar opponents.

That combination of history, geography and immediate sporting consequence is what makes English football rivalries so compelling.