Great Philly Sports Rivalries
You can’t talk about sport here in town without talking about some of the great Philly Sports Rivalries we have and experience every season.
Philadelphia, known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” has a rich history in sports, with passionate and dedicated fans supporting their teams. This article explores some of the fiercest Philly sports rivalries.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
Probably the most notorious Philly Sports Rivalries — The Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys rivalry is among the most intense and bitter in Philadelphia sports. This rivalry dates back to the 1960s, fueled by mutual disdain for each other’s teams and cities. The Eagles-Cowboys rivalry is known for its famous “Dallas sucks” chant and the legendary coaches Tom Landry and Buddy Ryan. The rivalry reached new heights in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the two teams dominated in the NFC East, resulting in some of the most memorable games in NFL history. Although it has cooled off in recent years, Eagles fans still relish any opportunity to beat their archrivals from Dallas. (And who can forget the Michael Irvin moment at The Vet.)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets
The rivalry between the Phillies and The New York Mets dates back to the 1960s, but it heated up in the late 2000s and early 2010s when the two teams battled for the NL East title year after year. The rivalry was fueled by memorable moments, such as the “Jimmy Rollins guarantee” in 2007 when the Phillies shortstop declared that his team was the “team to beat” in the NL East. This resulted in the Phillies winning five straight division titles from 2007 to 2011. Although it has quieted down in recent years, it remains a heated matchup whenever the two teams meet on the diamond. Like we say, Fuck The Mets.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
The rivalry between the 76ers and the Boston Celtics dates back to the 1960s when the two teams faced off in the NBA Finals multiple times. The rivalry intensified in the 1980s when they battled for Eastern Conference supremacy—led by Larry Bird and Julius Erving, the Celtics and 76ers engaged in some of the most physical and intense games in the history of the NBA. Sometimes, fists were even thrown amongst superstars. Although the rivalry between the teams lay dormant in the 1990s and 2000s, rivalry was reignited in 2018 when the two teams faced off in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Again, this series was marked by trash talk and physical play, with the Celtics emerging victorious. Their matchups are still a must-see for basketball fans. 2022-23 season is also shaping up to be one for the ages. Sixers star Joel Embiid may need to get past Boston to advance this year in the East. This is one of the gems of all The Philly Sports Rivalries.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The rivalry between the Flyers and the Penguins is one of the most physical and intense in all sports, dating back to the 1960s. As a result, the two teams have engaged in some of NHL history’s most brutal and hard-fought games. The rivalry reached new heights in the 1990s and 2000s when they faced off in multiple playoff series marked by physical play and fights. Although it has calmed down recently, it remains a heated matchup whenever the Flyers and Penguins face off on the ice. This maybe a lesser known Philly Sports Rivalries to the outside world, but don’t caught slippin’ in Black and Yellow at Wells Fargo Center.
From the Eagles and Cowboys in Football to the Phillies and Mets in Baseball, to the 76ers and Celtics in Basketball, and the Flyers and Penguins in the NHL, Philadelphia sports fans have a deep and unyielding loyalty to their teams. Philly Sports Rivalries are real. These rivalries have produced some of the most memorable moments in sports history and continue to fuel the city’s passion for sports. No matter the outcome, the pride and dedication of Philadelphia sports fans will always be on display.
And another thing about us Philly fans — we live and die with our Philly Sports Rivalries.