Aizawl Derby

Aizawl Derby
The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl
Other namesMizo Derby; Mizoram Derby
LocationAizawl, Mizoram, India
Teams
First meeting24 October 2012
Latest meetingAizawl FC 3–2 Chanmari FC
24 March 2026
StadiumsRajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl
Location of both clubs in Mizoram.

The Aizawl Derby (also known as the Mizo Derby or Mizoram Derby) refers to the association football rivalry between Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC, the two most prominent football clubs based in Aizawl, Mizoram, India.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Both clubs play their home matches at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl, which has a capacity of 20,000 spectators.

The rivalry began with the inaugural season of the Mizoram Premier League on 24 October 2012, in which both clubs were founding participants.[11] The first meeting between the two clubs at the national top flight took place on 24 March 2026 in the Indian Football League 2025–26, with Aizawl FC winning 3–2 after overturning a two-goal deficit.

History

The Mizoram Premier League (MPL) was established on 24 October 2012 by the Mizoram Football Association in partnership with Zonet Cable TV.[12] Both Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC were among the eight founding clubs of the league, making their rivalry a feature of the MPL from its very first season.

Aizawl FC was founded in 1984 and was revived under new ownership in 2011.[13] Chanmari FC was founded in 2011, with the club based in the Chanmari neighbourhood in the centre of Aizawl.

In the MPL's early seasons, Chanmari FC were crowned champions in 2013, while Aizawl FC won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.[14]

Aizawl FC won the 2015 I-League 2nd Division, defeating Chanmari FC 4–2 in the final match, becoming the first club from Mizoram to earn promotion to the I-League. On 30 April 2017, Aizawl FC won the 2016–17 I-League, topping the league table with 37 points from 18 games, becoming the first club from Northeast India to win the national top flight.[15] Chanmari FC earned promotion to the Indian Football League for the 2025–26 season after finishing runners-up in the 2024–25 I-League 2.[16]

The first top-flight meeting between the two clubs took place on 24 March 2026, in the Indian Football League 2025–26 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.[17] Goals from Malsawmsanga Renthlei and Jota gave Chanmari FC a 2–0 lead at half-time, but strikes from Vincent Lalduhawma and a brace from substitute Laldawngzuala secured a 3–2 victory for Aizawl FC.

Statistics

Trophy counts

Major Honours (National and State)

The following table includes only those titles recognised and organised by the AIFF and MFA:
CompetitionAizawl FCChanmari FCRef
I-League 1 0 [18]
I-League 2 1 0
Mizoram Premier League 6 2 [19][20]
Mizoram Independence Day Cup 0 1
Total 8 3

Recent results

The records of the meetings between the sides in the Indian Football League and I-League 2 since 2012 have been listed below.[21]

DateCompetitionHome teamResultAway teamStadium
March 2015IL2Aizawl FC2–3Chanmari FCRajiv Gandhi Stadium
March 2015IL2Aizawl FC4–2Chanmari FCRajiv Gandhi Stadium
24 March 2026IFLAizawl FC3–2Chanmari FCRajiv Gandhi Stadium

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sportstar, Team (24 March 2026). "IFL 2025-26: Aizawl comes from behind to win against Chanmari in Mizo Derby". Sportstar. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  2. ↑ In._.DaFaNeWs (25 March 2026). "Aizawl FC Roar Back to Claim Dramatic Mizo Derby Win Over Chanmari". Dafanews India. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "Aizawl FC Completes Comeback to Win Mizo Derby 3-2". 24 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "Aizawl, Chanmari lock horns in a highly anticipated derby | Indian Football League". Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "IFL 2025-26: Aizawl FC Mount A Stunning Second-half Comeback To Triumph In Mizo Derby On Cricketnmore". Cricketnmore. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  6. ↑ "Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC Clash in Indian Football League Derby". 23 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "IFL 2025-26: Aizawl, Chanmari Lock Horns In A Highly Anticipated Derby". Cricketnmore. 23 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  8. ↑ "Aizawl, Chanmari lock horns in a highly anticipated derby". indianfootballleague.in. Indian Football League. 23 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "IFL: Aizawl, Chanmari lock horns in a highly anticipated derby". The Tribune. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Aizawl FC mount a stunning second-half comeback to triumph in Mizo Derby". ANI News. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Recent Milestones of Mizoram Football". Sahapedia. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Recent Milestones of Mizoram Football". Sahapedia. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "The History Makers: Aizawl FC". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  14. ↑ "Recent Milestones of Mizoram Football". Sahapedia. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Draw sees Aizawl FC crowned I-League champions". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Chanmari FC (Indian Football League)". theawayend.co. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  17. ↑ "Aizawl vs. Chanmari (24 Mar, 2026)". ESPN. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Draw sees Aizawl FC crowned I-League champions". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Recent Milestones of Mizoram Football". Sahapedia. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  20. ↑ "Mizoram Premier League". theawayend.co. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  21. ↑ "Chanmari FC live score, schedule and player stats". Sofascore. Retrieved 25 March 2026.