Derby du Nord

The Derby du Nord (French pronunciation: ​[døbi du nɔʁ], Northern Derby) is a football match contested between French clubs RC Lens and Lille OSC, two of the region's most successful clubs. Both clubs are located in northern France, though in different departments: Lille in the Nord and Lens in the Pas-de-Calais. The name can refer to matches involving Lille and Valenciennes as both clubs are located within the Nord department; however, the name historically applies mainly to matches involving Lille and Lens. As a result, the Lille–Valenciennes match is sometimes referred to as the Petit Derby du Nord.

The two clubs first met in 1937 when Lille were playing under the Olympique Lillois emblem. Due to each club's close proximity towards each other being separated by only 40 kilometres (25 mi) and sociological differences between each club's supporters, a fierce rivalry developed. The Derby du Nord is underpinned by social and economic differences, since the city of Lens is known as an old, working-class, industrial city and Lille as a middle-class, modern, internationally oriented one. Nowadays the matches, which can spark intense feelings on both sides, have gained prominence as they may determine berths in continental competitions.