Tehran Derby
The Tehran derby (Persian: شهرآورد تهران (Shahrāvard-e Tehrān), also known as Blue-Red derby (Persian: شهرآورد سرخابی Shahrāvard-e Sorkhābi) is a football match between the two prominent Tehran clubs Esteghlal and Persepolis.
Team kits – Persepolis in red, Esteghlal in blue | |
| Location | Tehran, Iran |
|---|---|
| Teams | Esteghlal Perspolis |
| First meeting | Esteghlal 0–0 Persepolis Exhibition (5 April 1968) |
| Latest meeting | Esteghlal 1–1 Persepolis 2023–24 Persian Gulf Pro League (14 December 2023) |
| Stadiums | Azadi Stadium |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | Official matches: 95 Exhibition matches: 7 Total matches: 102 |
| Most wins | Official Matches: Persepolis (26)
Friendly Matches: Esteghlal (3) Total Matches: Persepolis (27) |
| Most player appearances | Ali Parvin (20) |
| Top scorer | Safar Iranpak (7) |
| Largest victory | Taj 0–6 perspolis Takht Jamshid Cup (27 November 1966 ) |
It is widely considered the major crosstown derby in the Persian Gulf Pro League. This match was declared as the most important derby in Asia and 22nd most important derby in the world in June 2008 by World Soccer magazine. It is considered one of the world's most intense derbies. Despite being a derby between two teams from Tehran, the match has been played in other Iranian cities as well. Taking place at least twice during the year via the league fixtures, this cross-town rivalry has extended to the Hazfi Cup, as well as in minor tournaments and friendlies.