The Green Derby between Ak Bars Kazan and Salavat Yulaev Ufa is not just a hockey match, but a large–scale cultural phenomenon. In this article, we will trace the entire history of this principled confrontation.
Hockey in Russia has long ceased to be just a game. For millions of fans, this is a real passion that can unite cities and regions. A special place in the hearts of fans of this sport is occupied by fundamental confrontations that have been developing for decades.
One of such bright and emotional derbies is the meeting of two powerful clubs – Ak Bars Kazan and Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Their confrontation has long gone beyond the ordinary sports competition, turning into a large-scale cultural phenomenon reflecting the spirit of the two neighboring republics. Each of their meetings is not just a fight for points, but a real clash of ambitions, traditions and hockey philosophies.
The history of this confrontation goes back to the era of Soviet hockey, when the foundations of future legends were just being laid. Today, looking at modern high-tech arenas and stellar lineups, it’s hard to imagine that these teams once started their journey from open ice fields. It is from those times that the special atmosphere of these matches originates, imbued with respect and at the same time a burning desire to prove their superiority. This confrontation has become an integral part of the identity of the two regions, their pride and calling card in the world of big-time sports.
The origins of the legend
The mid-sixties of the last century became the starting point in the history of this unique derby. In those days, no one could have imagined that the modest teams from Kazan and Ufa would turn into hockey symbols of their regions. Their first official meeting took place at the end of December 1966 in the framework of the USSR second-level championship.
Due to the lack of an indoor arena in Kazan, the match was played on the open ice of the Central Lenin Stadium. The game ended with an equal score of 1:1, which looked quite symbolic for the beginning of a long rivalry. The very next day, the teams took to the ice again, and this time the guests from Ufa won with a score of 5:2.
The founding of the clubs took place at different times. Kazan’s hockey history began in 1956, while Ufa joined the competitive movement five years later. The formation of the first squads in both cities was accompanied by an influx of players from other regions. Pupils of the Kuibyshev hockey school arrived in Kazan, and athletes from Chelyabinsk and other cities were heading to Ufa. However, the real nature of the confrontation began to manifest itself when local students began to appear in the main teams. It was at this moment that the rivalry acquired those unique features that persist to this day.
A landmark event was 1978, when the Ufa club made its way to the top league of the USSR championship. This achievement meant that the team got the opportunity to meet with the strongest teams in the country. The following years were full of ups and downs. Salavat Yulaev periodically left the elite division, but invariably returned back. The Kazan team showed great stability during this period. Each of their meetings was filled with a special drama and became an event that the fans of both teams were looking forward to.
The Era of Russian Championships
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the formation of new hockey tournaments took the confrontation to another level. Since 1992, when the International Hockey League was established, the meetings between Ak Bars and Salavat Yulaev have acquired a new format and significance. Throughout the period before the founding of the KHL in 2008, these matches became more and more principled and emotional. There was a special tension in the playoffs, when the fate of the entire season was at stake.
The seasons 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 were a vivid illustration of the significance of this confrontation. In the first case, Ak Bars confidently won the series with a score of 3-0, after which they won the title of champion of Russia. In the return season, Salavat Yulaev took revenge, winning the series 3-1, and also became the champion. These events have forever remained in the memory of the fans as proof that Kazan and Ufa are able to directly influence the distribution of the highest tournament awards. Each of their encounters began to bear the imprint of expectations far beyond the usual regular game.
KHL: a new era of confrontation
The creation of the Kontinental Hockey League provided a completely new venue for this derby. The Gagarin Cup, reinforced squads, increased budgets and popularity among fans – all this added weight to each match. Salavat Yulaev and Ak Bars have firmly consolidated their status as the backbone teams of the Eastern Conference. Now their confrontation has been evaluated not by the results of individual matches, but by their ability to win in long playoff series.
The 2010 and 2011 Eastern Conference Finals were the culminating points in the development of this derby. In 2010, Kazan won the series 4-2 and subsequently won the Gagarin Cup. A year later, Ufa took revenge, winning the series 4-1 at the stage of the second round of the playoffs, and also became champions. These events have finally consolidated the “Green Derby” as a factor that every serious contender for victory in the league should take into account. The coaches of the teams began to pay special attention to the preparation for these matches, realizing their psychological importance.
Team transformation: different paths to success
On the eve of the 2025/2026 season, both teams came up with different tasks and opportunities. Ufa club is going through a stage of serious transformations. Changes in budget policy force the management to rely on their own students. The foreign players are gradually leaving the team, and the coaching staff is looking for ways to remain competitive with the available resources. The situation is particularly acute due to rumors about the possible departure of the central striker of the first link Alexander Khmelevsky. If this transfer takes place, the team’s rebuilding process will become even deeper. This course requires strategic planning and patience.
The situation at Ak Bars looks more stable. The club has a strong financial base and a balanced squad. However, there are also problem areas that require attention. The goaltending line and defensive play raise questions after a series of matches against teams such as Avtomobilist and Metallurg, where missed goals became the subject of criticism. The reaction of the management and coaching staff to these identified weaknesses – changes in tactical schemes, rotation of squads, strengthening of the training process – will largely determine the potential of the team in the new season.
Cultural phenomenon: more than a sport
The matches between Ufa and Kazan have long turned into a significant social phenomenon. For residents of Bashkiria and Tatarstan, these games have become a way of expressing regional identity and pride. In Ufa, the passion for hockey is closely intertwined with the historical legacy of Salavat Yulaev, who became a symbol of resistance and freedom. In Kazan, the club is perceived as a representative not just of the city, but of the entire region with its rich traditions and ambitions.
The fans of both teams have created a unique atmosphere accompanying each meeting. Rituals before and after the games, special paraphernalia, songs and chants – all this creates a unique flavor of the “Green Derby”. The players who moved from one camp to another, memorable goals that have been discussed for years, archival footage that is actively replicated on social networks – all this forms a living organism of the confrontation, which continues to develop and attract new fans.
