The Tehran derby (), also known as Blue-Red derby (), is a football match between the two prominent Tehran clubs Esteghlal and Persepolis.
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.
History
The first derby match between the teams took place on April 5, 1968, at Amjadieh Stadium, where the game finished as a scoreless draw. At the time, Esteghlal was known as Taj SC. Both clubs were relatively young . The rivalry between Shahin and Taj was transferred to its current stage when the Shahin club had to cease operations due to poor relations with the IFF.
Over time, the rivalry became more heated and club fans began attaining collective identities. By the mid-1970s Persepolis was seen as a working class club, while Taj was viewed as a club close to the ruling establishment and supported by the upper class of Iranian society.
Due to the sensitive nature of the matches, fan violence has occurred several times. In minor cases, fans break chairs or throw garbage at the field, but in some cases, fans have stormed the field of play, physical fights between opposing teams and fans have broken out, and public property has been destroyed.
Ever since 1995, federation officials have invited foreign referees to officiate the game to ease fan and player suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the 39th derby (see below).
Azadi Stadium has been the stadium where most of the matches took place, but Amjadieh Stadium (now Shiroudi) in Tehran and Sahand Stadium in Tabriz have all hosted the game at least once.
Hassan Rowshan from Esteghlal F.C., at the age of 18 years and 357 days is yet the youngest player ever who has scored a goal in the Tehran derby. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Persepolis F.C. On May 25, 1974. Ali Alipour, at the age of 19 years and 185 days, became the youngest Persepolis F.C. player ever to score in Tehran derby. He scored the only goal in their 1–0 victory on May 15, 2015.
Notable matches Persepolis 4 – Taj 1 (February 4, 1972) – This was Persepolis's first win in the derby match, which was also a Goalfull match. First time Persepolis beat its rival with 4 goals.
Persepolis 6 – Taj 0 (September 7, 1973) – Best ever result in Tehran derby.
Esteghlal 1 – Persepolis 0 (October 7, 1983) – Iranian television broadcaster IRIB did not air the match so a large number of fans flocked to Azadi Stadium. An estimated 128,000 entered the 100,000-capacity stadium. So many fans were in attendance that some were forced to climb the metal base of the stadium floodlights. None of the derby matches to this date have had a higher attendance and mostly likely never will as the 2002 renovations of the stadium reduced its capacity.
Esteghlal 2 – Persepolis 2 (January 20, 1995) – In the 39th derby Persepolis was leading in the match by a score of 2–0 until the last 10 minutes of the match. Esteghlal scored 2 goals in quick succession, including one which was a penalty. This angered the Persepolis fans and players who felt the referee was biased towards Esteghlal. Persepolis fans stormed the field, and a number of fights broke out on the pitch between fans and players. After this match it was decided that Iranian referees will no longer be used for the derby.
Persepolis 3 – Esteghlal 0 (July 11, 1997) – One of the most one-sided derby matches for the two teams. Persepolis dominated the match with scoring 3 goals by Edmond Bezik, Mehdi Mahdavikia and Behnam Taherzadeh. In addition to this 3 goals, Persepolis also hit the post bar for 3 times. Persepolis won Esteghlal 2 times back and forth in this league season and won championship at the end.
Persepolis 2 – Esteghlal 2 (December 29, 2000) – The game was extremely sensitive as Mehdi Hasheminasab had left Persepolis in the off-season for Esteghlal as Ali Parvin kicked him out because he was scared Hasheminasab would break his record so he left and after leaving Persepolis fans hit Hasheminasab’s mom harshly. Behrouz Rahbarifar opened up the scoring in minute 56, while Mohammad Navazi tied the game up at the 67th minute. Some thought the game would be over when Hasheminasab scored a late goal at minute 86, but Ali Karimi saved Persepolis scoring a goal at minute 89 to please the red fans. During the game Esteghlal's goalkeeper Parviz Broumand and Persepolis striker Payan Rafat were constantly insulting each other. This eventually led to Broumand punching Rafat in the face and giving him a black eye. A massive fight broke out between the players. After the match hooligans went on a rampage. They destroyed 250 city buses and damaged multiple shops. Three players from each side were arrested along with 60 fans for their behavior.
Statistics Matches
Head to head As of 5 December 2025, there have been 106 competitive first-class meetings between the two teams since the first league meeting in 1969. In all 99 official competitive meetings since 1968, Esteghlal has won 23 and Persepolis 29. Tournament Matches Wins Draws GoalsEsteghlal Persepolis Esteghlal PersepolisIranian League781824366885Iranian Hazfi Cup612376Iranian Super Cup1010––Tehran Competitions15429139Total Official Matches10023294888100Exhibition games730485Grand Total10726295296105
Head-to-head ranking in Iranian Leagues (1970–2025) P. 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 90 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 11 111111111111111 1 1 11 1111122222 2222222222 2 2 22 2 2233 33333 3 3 3 33 3 3344444 444 44 5 55 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 910 11 12 12 13 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 • Total: Esteghlal with 16 higher finishes, Persepolis with 24 higher finishes (till end of the 2024–25 Persian Gulf Pro League)
Stadiums
Since the first match in 1968, Tehran Derby matches have been held in 6 stadiums, including 4 outside Tehran. The following table shows the details of the stadiums that hosted the Tehran Derby. Does not include friendly matches. Tehran Derby stadiums Stadium Results Notes EsteghlalDraws Persepolis Shahid Shiroudi Stadium 6 4 3 The home stadium of both teams until 1971, it hosted many Tehran Derby matches. Its primary name was "Amjadieh". Total: 13 Azadi Stadium 17 40 25 The home stadium of both teams since 1971, it hosted more Tehran Derby matches than any other stadium so far. Its primary name was "Aryamehr". Total: 82 Azadi Stadium (Bandar Abbas) 0 1 0 The second leg between the two teams in the 1994–95 season was held at this stadium without any fans. because fans stormed the field in the previous game. Total: 1 Yadegar-e Emam Stadium (Tabriz) 0 1 0 The home stadium of Tractor, also known as "Sahand". The first leg between the two teams in the 2002–03 season was held at there Because the Azadi pitch was being renovated. Total: 1 Imam Khomeini Stadium (Arak) 0 1 1 The home stadium of Aluminium. The first legs between the two teams in the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons were held at there due to the Azadi seats was under renovation. Total: 2 Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium (Isfahan) 0 1 0 The home stadium of Sepahan. The first leg between the two teams in the 2026–27 season was held at there due to the Azadi pitch and seats was under renovation. Total: 1
Records Friendly matches are not included in the following records unless otherwise noted.
Results Biggest wins (+3 goals difference) Winning margin Home team Result Away team Date Competition6 Persepolis6–0 Esteghlal7 September 1973Iranian League3 Persepolis4–1 Esteghlal4 February 1972 Persepolis0–3 Esteghlal8 May 1977 Persepolis3–0 Esteghlal15 June 1986Tehran League Esteghlal0–3 Persepolis11 July 1997Iranian League Persepolis0–3 Esteghlal9 December 2011Hazfi Cup
Most goals in a match Goals Home team Result Away team Date Competition6 Persepolis 6–0 Esteghlal7 September 1973League Persepolis 4–2 Esteghlal15 April 20165 Persepolis 4–1 Esteghlal4 February 1972 Esteghlal 3–2 Persepolis25 February 2005 Esteghlal 2–3 Persepolis2 February 2012 Esteghlal 3–2 Persepolis12 February 2017
Longest Runs Most consecutive wins Games Club Period4Esteghlal15 October 2010 – 9 December 20113Esteghlal22 August 1969 – 17 January 19713Persepolis18 October 1996 – 13 November 1998
Most consecutive draws Games Period630 March 2007 – 2 October 2009
Most consecutive without a draw Games Period63 February 2010 – 2 February 2012
Longest unbeaten runs Games Club Period20(8 wins)Persepolis20 September 2018 – 2 September 2026(ongoing)10(6 wins)Esteghlal25 May 1990 – 29 December 199510(4 wins)Persepolis2 February 2012 – 16 September 2016
Most consecutive without conceding a goal Games Club Period4Esteghlal24 January 1992 – 1 January 19934Persepolis29 December 1995 – 13 November 19984Esteghlal15 October 2010 – 9 December 20114Persepolis24 August 2012 – 17 January 20144Esteghlal24 August 2012 – 17 January 2014
Most consecutive games scoring Games Club Period13Esteghlal3 November 2006 – 2 February 20128Persepolis3 November 2006 – 3 February 2010
Players Goal scorers Does not include friendly matches. Players in bold are still active for Esteghlal or Persepolis.