The 10 Biggest Sports Rivalries in History
The world of sport is full of rivalries. Epic contests that captivate you more than any other game. Some of these rivalries are formed from greatness, some from proximity, and others from a moment of controversy.
These rivalries have developed over time and have been the scene of some of the most memorable sporting moments ever. Inevitably, these contests become a race for superiority and a desperation to be the best. That could be winning a championship or simply being regarded as the biggest name in your sport.
Here we take a look at the 10 biggest rivalries in sport, what started them, and why they are so huge. We could have put 100 rivalries in this list so forgive us if your favorite sports team doesn’t feature! We’ve also tried to look at a wide range of different sports from around the globe.
Read on to find out the biggest sports rivalries in history.
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
This rivalry is all about greatness. Both of them have won 17 championships with the next closest team being the Warriors, who have six. That level of supremacy means these two teams account for an incredible 45% of all the NBA championships.
The Lakers and the Celtics have met in 12 different finals which have given the rivalry its huge status. Six of those finals were in the 1960s, with another three coming in the 80s. Those encounters sparked a fierce rivalry which is still alive today.
Outside the team rivalry was also one of the best individual NBA rivalries of all-time with Larry Bird of the Celtics going up against Magic Johnson of the Lakers. The debate about which one was the better player still rages.
Who’s had the better of the team rivalry? The Celtics clearly win when it comes to head-to-head stats. They have a winning record against the Lakers in both the playoffs and regular season. Of those 12 Finals they’ve played against each other, the Celtics have won nine. The Lakers, however, will be soon hoping to boast more overall championships thanks to the help of arguably the greatest basketball player ever, LeBron James.
