Portsmouth and Southampton will renew their fierce South Coast rivalry in the Championship next season, ending a 13-year wait since their last league encounter in the 2011/12 campaign.
The historic rivals have endured contrasting fortunes since their previous meeting, with Southampton enjoying European football whilst Portsmouth battled through the lower divisions, even spending time in League Two. Both clubs now find themselves reunited in England’s second tier, setting the stage for the revival of one of football’s most geographically close rivalries.
Fixture Release Anticipation
Supporters of both clubs eagerly await the EFL fixture announcement, scheduled for Thursday, 26th June, which will reveal when the South Coast derbies will take place during the 2025/26 season.
The upcoming Championship campaign commences over the weekend of 8th-10th August 2025, with the season concluding on 2nd-3rd May 2026.
Historical Context
The majority of encounters between these neighbours occurred before 2000, with the clubs rarely sharing the same division for extended periods in recent decades. Since their inaugural meeting in 1900 – when Portsmouth defeated Southampton twice within three days – the sides have contested 71 “first-class” matches.
A 33-year gap between 1927 and 1960 occurred due to Portsmouth competing in higher divisions than their rivals. The modern era has seen just 10 meetings between the clubs, as each has experienced different trajectories.
During the 2000s, Portsmouth competed in the Premier League while Southampton played in the Championship and League One. The following decade reversed this situation, with Portsmouth dropping as low as League Two for four seasons whilst the Saints climbed back up the pyramid.
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Last League Meeting
Their most recent league clash took place on 7th April 2012 at St Mary’s Stadium, ending 2-2. Billy Sharp scored twice for Southampton (27th and 89th minutes), while Chris Maguire (36th minute) and David Norris (90+4 minutes) replied for Portsmouth. Southampton finished that campaign as champions with 79 points, whilst Portsmouth ended 23rd with 34 points after a 10-point deduction for administration.
Head-to-Head Record
From their 10 meetings since 2000, Southampton hold the advantage with five victories compared to Portsmouth’s three, alongside two draws. Overall, the Saints lead the historical record with 35 wins from 71 encounters, whilst Pompey have claimed 21 victories with 15 matches ending level.
Remarkably, no side has won a league derby since 2005, with both fixtures in 2011/12 ending in draws. The renewed Championship rivalry promises to end this lengthy wait for bragging rights between clubs separated by merely 20 miles.
