As the two biggest cities in the state of Oklahoma, Tulsa and Oklahoma City are always competing.

Whether that’s for new residents and state tax dollars or soccer supremacy and a ceremonial four-foot wrench, there’s always been a rivalry between the two.

“Oklahoma City is the capital. Whenever it comes to political or social or even economic things, sometimes Tulsa has felt like it’s been behind Oklahoma City and there are certain things that Tulsa has felt like it’s always had a little better than Oklahoma City,” said Denis Lane, President of Tulsa Roughnecks FC supporter’s group the Roustabouts.

While many regional rivals tend not to see eye-to-eye (just ask Nashville and Memphis), the relationship between Oklahoma City and Tulsa seems to be a little bit different. Located just over 100 miles apart on I-44, it’s easy for residents of either city to travel back and forth for various events and get the most out of their experience in enemy territory. However, one of the biggest contrasts has seemingly been the way and rate at which the two cities have modernized over the past few decades.

“You drive into Tulsa and you see refineries and you see huge industry and it seems like it’s a very blue-collar town,” said Matt Wormus, member of OKC Energy FC fan group Northend United. “Then you come to OKC and the first thing you see is the Devon Tower and you see all the major corporations located here.

“It’s a very fun rivalry because it’s one of those things where it’s regardless of sports.”

However, sports have played a role in amplifying the larger rivalry between the two cities. Just ask Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, who have upped the ante before this Saturday’s first Black Gold Derby match of the season between Energy FC and the Roughnecks at ONEOK Field.