The derby dates back to the 1950s when both clubs were leading teams in East Germany's top division, the DDR-Oberliga.

During this era, FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt were the dominant clubs in the Thuringia region, and their matches were highly anticipated and passionately contested.

Matches between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt are known for their intense atmospheres, with fans of both teams creating tense and hostile environments in the stadiums.

As of the 2024-25 season, both FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt play in the Regionalliga Nordost, Germany's [4 teir].

The Thuringia Derby remains an important fixture for the supporters of both clubs, who continue to passionately back their team in these regional clashes.