From battles between European powerhouses, to Serie B clashes in Campania and a long-running rivalry in Emilia-Romagna. We have picked out seven derbies you won’t want to miss in 2025-26.

Bologna vs Parma

The two biggest clubs in the Emilia-Romagna region have built up a healthy rivalry over the years. Historically Bologna have won more domestic trophies but Parma’s team of the 1990s and European success resonates heavily with calcio fans. You can get from one city to the other by train in under 50 minutes and there is more to explore in between.

Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna team are Coppa Italia champions and have a Europa League campaign to look forward to this term. Parma, on the other hand, only avoided relegation by five points last season.

They have taken a risk on their new coach Carlos Cuesta, the 30 year-old Spaniard was one of the assistants to Mikel Arteta at Arsenal last season. He worked his way up the Gunners staff from player mentor and interpreter to assistant over the last few years, but this is his first job as a head coach.

The teams meet in Parma in early November but the return fixture scheduled for the weekend of February 8 could be the time to visit Bologna and the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Bologna will be a little cold at that point but a nice bowl of ragu will soon warm you up. The stadium is a delightful place to watch football with its stunning red-brick tower rising above the stands. This arena hosted World Cup matches in 1934 and 1990.

Destination Calcio recently delved into the culture of the Emilia-Romagna region. A land of lucious green land, incredible food and wine, brimming with calcio culture. Bologna in particular has a bohemian feel. It is an old university city with historic buildings and incredible bars and restaurants dotted around the centre.

Sampdoria vs Virtus Entella

At the moment this looks like a fun watch because these two might be locked in a Serie B relegation battle. Virtus Entella are the league’s new boys and relative minnows while Sampdoria had to execute a great escape in the summer by winning a relegation play-off against Salernitana to stay in the league and perhaps avoid liquidation.

Despite sitting in the same division, there is a gulf. Virtus Entella’s few thousand fans will be happy to be in the second division, whereas Sampdoria want to return to Serie A and eventually European competition, where they believe they belong.

The club is gargantuan compared to its regional rival but that makes this encounter all the more intriguing. This is a unique time in history where Virtus can compete with Samp on the pitch.

The small Stadio Enrico Sannazzari hosts the first meeting in mid-October. By then we should be getting a real feel for how the squads are looking this season and this could be the time to visit a new ground and city.

Chiavari straddles the sea and the Entella river. It’s small, pretty and a place to enjoy the real Italy without bumping into many tourists. It is home to under 30,000 people and has a relaxing vibe. You can find fresh seafood here and enjoy many delightful town squares.

Torino vs Juventus

The Derby della Mole is one of the most historic in Italian football with more than 200 official games between the pair. Juventus have by far the greater head-to-head record, but derby day is always special and both clubs have enjoyed periods of immense success during different decades.

Their most recent meeting was back in January with Torino hosting and the game finishing in a 1-1 draw.

This season, that match takes place at the end of May on matchday 38 of 38 – so this is the one to aim for as it could have repercussions for both clubs. For a long time now Torino have been the underdog, but that only makes the home crowd more raucous when they welcome Juventus to their stadium. It means more to them to get one over on a neighbour that morphed into a global superpower over the decades.

The Basilica di Superga is a place in Turin that everybody should visit. It is the site of the tragic air disaster which killed the entire Grande Torino team of the 1940s. You can feel the history here, one that is deeply enshrined in Torino FC but felt by the entire city and beyond.

When the sun touches the hill this is a beautiful and peaceful place to be. Calcio fans must also visit the Grande Torino Museum to learn about one of the most special teams in Italian history.

Avellino vs Juve Stabia

This one is more than a bit different. It is complete calcio in its truest form, proper Serie B. Dive down to Campania and discover that football life exists here beyond just Napoli.

These two clubs have built up a rivalry in the second and third division of Italian football over the last few years in particular, and the matchday experiences in the deep south show another side of the country.

The Stadio Partenio-Adriano Lombardi in Avellino is a big green bowl, a traditional old Italian ground. However Juve Stabia’s Stadio Romeo Menti has a few more romantic elements so we would suggest you check it out (the game is in October). The stands are small, squared and tight to the pitch. Draped in the yellow and blue club colours, lined by beautiful Italian stone pine trees and even boasting the postcard ‘apartment blocks hanging over the stadium’ feature that we all want to see.

Juve Stabia are from Castellammare di Stabia in the bay of Naples, less than 20km from the city. The ‘Metropole of the waters’ is famous for its thermal baths and their health properties. Inaugurated way back in 1836, the baths have always been a tourist favourite, so bring your bathing suit.

There must be something in the water here for sure, as though it has a population of just 62,000 people it is the birthplace of Ciro Immobile, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Fabio Quagliarella.

Milan vs Inter

Beyond Italy the Derby della Madonnina is considered one of the biggest matches on the planet. Despite Inter’s recent dominance Milan raised their game in last season’s match-ups and provided us with some spectacular head-to-heads. Yet, the real beauty descends from the stands.

During a Milan derby the north and south curvas fill up with the ultra groups of each club, home or away. This creates a war of exploding colour and sound. Aided by the steep stands of the San Siro, this is one of the most spine-tingling atmospheres in sport.

The second encounter, in early spring, should have more riding on it. Will Inter be on their way to a title at that stage? Will Milan be hot on their tail or clinging on to a fight for a top-four place? The stakes will be high regardless, but if you have the luxury of choosing then mark March 8 in your diary.

Away from the game, tick the Duomo off your to-do list but then avoid the madness of Milan’s touristic centre. Take refuge near Porta Romana or Porta Venezia. Walk around there, get lost. These are stylish local areas that have a more authentic Milano feel but maintain the buzz of the city just at a more aperitivo pace. Oh, and visit Bar Basso for a classic cocktail. It takes you back in time and is the perfect spot for people watching.

Pisa vs Fiorentina

This may not be the most fearsome rivalry but it is fantastic to have another Tuscan derby back in Serie A. For Pisa fans and players it would be a big scalp if they can pick up much-needed points against La Viola. Plus, these sides have not met since way back in the 1990-91 season, the last time Pisa were in the top flight.

The one to watch has to be Pisa’s home fixture in September. Fans of a certain age will remember losing 4-0 home and away back in 1990-91 but they could never have imagined having to wait 34 years to get their own back.

This one comes early in the season so expect the feelgood factor from the promotion campaign to still be lingering.

The Leaning Tower is just seven minutes from the Arena Garibaldi, in a city where the football stadium takes pride of place in the centre of the community. Meander through the charming streets of Borgo Stretto for shops and cafes or visit one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens.

Take a walk along the river in the evening and make sure to stop off and quench your thirst under the beautiful little arches of the Piazza delle Vettovaglie.

Venezia vs Padova

It’s been a while. In fact, these two have met just twice across the last 15 years. In 2018-19, also in Serie B, the home side won by a single goal in both games. So this Veneto derby will have a bit of added spice with Padova making the step up from Serie C to cross swords with rivals who have dropped down from the top flight.

Venezia’s Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on the weekend of March 17 certainly appeals. This incredible ground can only be reached on foot or by boat as it is located on an island inside the Venetian lagoon.

It is the second oldest stadium in Italy and a tourist attraction in its own right. What you see is what you get here, and you don’t need much more.

The stadium is barely more than four metal stands, but they are close to the pitch and flaunt a wavy design of orange, black and green. The surrounding scenery makes this one of the most unique stadiums in the world.

St Mark’s Square in Venice is a tourist hotspot with good reason. Its scale, beauty and design take your breath away, so it is worth braving the crowds of people and pigeons to take it all in.

It is the beating heart of Venice and home to St Mark’s Basilica, which is almost 1,000 years old. Step inside for a romantic blend of Byzantine and Gothic styles laden with shimmering golden mosaics. Marvel in the architecture and engineering of this floating city, wander through its never-ending alleyways or take a gondola or vaporetto (water bus) to explore on water.