<p>No matter the level or location, rivalries are a large part of the appeal of sports. In the major American sports, there are many intense rivalries. Some of the biggest rivalries in American sports are based on location, others are based on division, conference, or league affiliation, and others are based on history and/or repeated meetings recently and/or in the postseason.</p>
<p>There are some iconic rivalries that almost every sports fan can name, but there are several more that fly under the radar. For example, the NFL rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers is considered by many to be one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports, but the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders also have an intense rivalry that doesn&#8217;t get the same attention or interest nationally.</p>
<p>Rivalries play a large role in sports betting, but picking the correct winner in a rivalry game is a tricky proposition. Anything can happen in a rivalry matchup, even if one team has a much better record than the other.</p>
<p>On this page, you can find information about some of the biggest <a href="/nfl/">NFL</a>, <a href="/nba/">NBA</a>, <a href="/mlb/">MLB</a>, and <a href="/ncaaf/">college football</a> rivalries. We hope that the historical information and betting insights provided here will help with wagering on upcoming matchups in these rivalries.</p>
<h2>Biggest Rivalries in the NFL</h2>
<p>Many of the biggest rivalries in the NFL are based on the current divisions and conferences. Some of these rivalries have been in place for much of the NFL’s existence or at least since the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, but some of them are more recent.</p>
<p>There are a number of contenders for the biggest rivalry in the NFL, but there are a few matchups that are widely thought to be the best of the best.</p>
<p>Included in that group are the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry, the Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry, and the Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles rivalry.</p>
<p>Below, learn about each of those rivalries as well as many other top NFL rivalries.</p>
<h3>AFC</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="/rivalry/pittsburgh-steelers-vs-baltimore-ravens/">Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/miami-dolphins-vs-buffalo-bills/">Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/pittsburgh-steelers-vs-cincinnati-bengals/">Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/cleveland-browns-vs-baltimore-ravens/">Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/pittsburgh-steelers-vs-cleveland-browns/">Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/denver-broncos-vs-oakland-raiders/">Denver Broncos vs Las Vegas Raiders</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/indianapolis-colts-vs-tennessee-titans/">Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/tennessee-titans-vs-jacksonville-jaguars/">Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/kansas-city-chiefs-vs-oakland-raiders/">Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-jets-vs-new-england-patriots/">New York Jets vs New England Patriots</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>NFC</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-orleans-saints-vs-atlanta-falcons/">Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/chicago-bears-vs-green-bay-packers/">Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/washington-football-team-vs-dallas-cowboys/">Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/dallas-cowboys-vs-new-york-giants/">Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/green-bay-packers-vs-minnesota-vikings/">Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/philadelphia-eagles-vs-new-york-giants/">Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/san-francisco-49ers-vs-los-angeles-rams/">San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/atlanta-falcons-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/tampa-bay-buccaneers-vs-new-orleans-saints/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/washington-football-team-vs-dallas-cowboys/">Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Biggest Rivalries in the NBA</h2>
<p>There are a lot of notable conference and divisional rivalries in the NBA, but the NBA’s biggest historical rivalry is between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.</p>
<p>The Celtics and Lakers are the two most successful franchises in NBA history. The Lakers have appeared in the NBA Finals a record 32 times, but Boston owns the most NBA championship, having broken a tie with Los Angeles this past season by winning their 18<sup>th</sup> title.</p>
<p>Most recently, the Celtics and Lakers met in the NBA Finals in 2010. That year, Los Angeles bested Boston in a seven-game series behind an NBA Finals MVP performance by the late Kobe Bryant.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/rivalry/cleveland-cavaliers-vs-chicago-bulls/">Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/los-angeles-lakers-vs-boston-celtics/">Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/boston-celtics-and-philadelphia-76ers/">Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/denver-nuggets-vs-minnesota-timberwolves/">Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/golden-state-warriors-vs-sacramento-kings/">Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/los-angeles-lakers-vs-san-antonio-spurs/">Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/boston-celtics-vs-new-york-knicks/">Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-knicks-vs-brooklyn-nets/">New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/la-lakers-vs-la-clippers/">LA Lakers vs LA Clippers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/houston-rockets-and-san-antonio-spurs/">Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/utah-jazz-vs-houston-rockets/">Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/golden-state-warriors-vs-los-angeles-clippers/">Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Biggest Rivalries in MLB</h2>
<p>The most famous rivalry in Major League Baseball—and arguably the biggest rivalry in American sports—is the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.</p>
<p>The Yankees are the most successful MLB franchise of all time, having won the World Series 27 times. However, the Red Sox have been more successful in recent times. Boston broke an 86-year championship drought in 2004 and has since added titles in 2007, 2013, and 2018.</p>
<p>Some of the other most notable rivalries include Braves-Mets, Cardinals-Cubs, and Dodgers-Giants. All of those rivalries are between teams that play in the National League.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/rivalry/san-diego-padres-vs-los-angeles-dodgers/">San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/san-francisco-giants-vs-los-angeles-dodgers/">San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/chicago-cubs-vs-st-louis-cardinals/">Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/chicago-cubs-vs-milwaukee-brewers/">Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/chicago-cubs-vs-cincinnati-reds/">Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-mets-vs-philadelphia-phillies/">New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/atlanta-braves-vs-new-york-mets/">Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-yankees-vs-new-york-mets/">New York Yankees vs New York Mets</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-yankees-vs-boston-red-sox/">New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-yankees-vs-baltimore-orioles/">New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/boston-red-sox-vs-tampa-bay-rays/">Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/new-york-yankees-vs-tampa-bay-rays/">New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/houston-astros-vs-texas-rangers/">Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/boston-red-sox-vs-toronto-blue-jays/">Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays</a></li>
<li><a href="/rivalry/boston-red-sox-vs-baltimore-orioles/">Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>College Football Rivalries</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/rivalry/alabama-vs-lsu">Alabama vs LSU</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Tips for Betting on Rivalry Games</h2>
<p>When betting on rivalry games, take a look at recent results more than overall historical numbers. This may apply more in professional sports than collegiate sports, as some recent historical numbers may not mean as much for some due to the significant turnover that can often now in college football and college basketball.</p>
<p>Also, when it comes to rivalry games, records can sometimes go out the window, especially if the underdog is playing at home.</p>
<h2>Other Sports Betting Information</h2>
<p>Did you pick up some valuable information from our breakdown of the biggest rivalries in sports and feel more equipped to bet on an upcoming rivalry matchup?</p>
<p>Along with the daily expert picks and other betting information we provide, we also have a bevy of betting guides that cover many of the <a href="/guides/">basics of sports betting</a>, including types of bets, betting strategies, and how to bet on various sports, leagues, and events.</p>
<p>Here are some of the other sports betting guides you can find at Betting News:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/nfl-betting-guide/">NFL Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/nba-betting-guide/">NBA Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bettingnews.com/guides/mlb-betting-guide/">MLB Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/nhl-betting-guide-home-page/">NHL Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/college-football-betting-guide/">College Football Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/college-basketball-betting-guide/">College Basketball Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bettingnews.com/guides/wnba-betting-guide/">WNBA Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bettingnews.com/guides/nascar-betting-guide/">NASCAR Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="/nfl/super-bowl/">Super Bowl Betting Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/over-under/">Over/Under Betting Explained</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/hedge-bets/">When Should You Hedge Your Bets?</a></li>
<li><a href="/guides/betting-odds/">How to Read Sports Betting Odds</a></li>
</ul>
<p>We are gradually adding more betting guides, so bookmark our guides page and the site to make sure you don’t miss anything we add.</p>
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Eddie Griffin has been writing about and betting on sports for over a decade and has been with Betting News since 2021. For more of his thoughts on sports and sports betting, you can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

What Are the Biggest Rivalries in American Sports History?