Great rivalries make sports unforgettable, giving fans a reason to care about every single matchup. This One Gotta Go card puts four classic ones together: Patriots vs Colts in the Brady and Manning era, Lakers vs Celtics, Yankees vs Red Sox, and Federer vs Nadal.
Three rivalries stay in sports history, and one is wiped away. Think about the games you watched, the moments you still replay and the rivalry you only know from documentaries. Then pick and share which side you were on, because everyone has one.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Patriots vs Colts (Brady vs Manning)
Patriots vs Colts was really Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning, two great quarterbacks who met again and again in big games. It defined an era of the NFL. Since it centered on two players, the rivalry faded once they retired, which makes it a candidate to cut.
Keep it if: You loved watching two great quarterbacks go back and forth, and you still have an opinion on who was better.
B. Lakers vs Celtics
Lakers vs Celtics is the most famous rivalry in basketball, with legends like Magic and Bird and the most championships between two franchises. It spans generations. Some fans feel it has cooled in recent years, which makes it a possible cut.
Keep it if: You grew up with Magic and Bird or Kobe and the Celtics, and this matchup still means everything to you.
C. Yankees vs Red Sox
Yankees vs Red Sox is baseball's big rivalry, full of history, from the long Red Sox title drought to the comeback in the 2004 playoffs. It is intense and old school. If you are not a baseball fan, this is the easiest rivalry to cut.
Keep it if: You know the history, you remember 2004 and you still pick a side every time these teams meet.
D. Federer vs Nadal
Federer vs Nadal gave tennis classic matches, including the 2008 Wimbledon final that many call the best match ever played. It was also a friendly rivalry with deep respect on both sides. Some people prefer rivalries with more team passion behind them.
Keep it if: You love great tennis, you remember the long finals and you admire how much the two respected each other.
Our take
We would cut Patriots vs Colts. It was a great era, but it was mostly about two quarterbacks, while the other three rivalries have spanned decades or produced matches people call the best ever. The most fun debate usually comes from Lakers vs Celtics fans against Yankees vs Red Sox fans, since both are deep, multi-generation rivalries. Ask everyone which side they pick in each matchup and see how many family loyalties come out.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which sports rivalry lost its spark when one side got too dominant?
- What is the best rivalry game you have ever watched?
- Is an individual rivalry more exciting than a team rivalry?
- Which rivalry would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Sports Rivalries: quick answers
What is the biggest rivalry in sports?
There is no official answer, but rivalries like Lakers vs Celtics, Yankees vs Red Sox, Real Madrid vs Barcelona and Ohio State vs Michigan are often named among the biggest. The best rivalry usually depends on where you grew up and which teams your family follows.
Why was the 2008 Wimbledon final so famous?
The 2008 Wimbledon men's final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer lasted nearly five hours across rain delays and ended in near darkness, with Nadal winning in five sets. Many fans and experts call it one of the greatest tennis matches ever played.
