From The Premier league to Serie A: The World's Top 10 Football Leagues
A Spotlight on the World's Top 10 Football Leagues
Football leagues bring year-round drama, fun and competition to fans across the world!
But what are the top 10 football leagues? And who are the best teams in the league? Read on to find out about the worlds biggest football leagues.
Ligue 1, France’s top football league
Football isn't just a game; it's a global passion that unites fans across continents.
With each passing year, its popularity continues to soar. While major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup bring us together in grand spectacles, they only come around every few years.
So, what keeps the football frenzy alive in between these big events? That's where football leagues step onto the pitch!
Football leagues are the heartbeat of the sport. These are organised competitions that pit some of the best football clubs in the world against each other, all within a defined season.
They bring a captivating, season-long drama where teams aim to outscore, outplay and outshine their rivals.
But what makes these leagues even more fascinating is their hierarchical structure. Teams are divided into different divisions or tiers, creating a dynamic ladder of competition. The dream? To reach the pinnacle of their league, claim the championship and bask in the glory.
Other teams fight tooth and nail to avoid the dreaded drop to lower divisions – it's a rollercoaster of emotions for players and fans alike.
Whether you're a seasoned football aficionado or you’re just getting into the sport, get ready to explore the captivating world of football leagues.
These competitions are where dreams are chased, legends are born and fans find their football fix week in and week out.
So, what are the world’s top 10 football leagues, and what makes them so special? Let’s find out!
1. English Premier League (EPL): England
The largest football league in the world
The Premier League gets TV rights deals worth £3.1 billion
Ranks first in UEFA coefficients: English clubs have claimed 14 European trophies
The English Premier League, often called the Premier League, stands as one of the world's premier football competitions and is arguably the most popular worldwide league.
It operates atop the English football league system, with promotion and relegation links to the English Football League.
With jaw-dropping TV rights deals worth around £3.1 billion annually, it's a commercial juggernaut. The league boasts CEO Richard Masters, and clubs function as stakeholders.
In the 2016–17 season, clubs received £2.4 billion in central payment revenue, with an additional £343 million going to the English Football Association.
But it's not just about the money; the Premier League is a global phenomenon. With an astonishing reach of 4.7 billion potential viewers in 212 countries, it's the most-watched sports league globally.
Stadiums are consistently packed for Premier League matches, with an average attendance of 38,181 in 2018–19, second only to the Bundesliga.
The Premier League ranks first in UEFA coefficients, resulting in English clubs claiming a remarkable 14 European trophies.
As the largest and brightest football league worldwide, the English Premier League has solidified its status as a football powerhouse since its renaming in 1992, piggy backing the popularity of football in England and the UK for the previous 100 years or so.
2. La Liga: Spain
Barcelona is one of La Liga’s greatest teams
It holds the second spot in the UEFA rankings
Real Madrid dominated the league between 1960 and 1990
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División (Spanish Premier League), also known as La Liga Santander or just La Liga, is Spain's premier professional football division, featuring 20 clubs.
Barcelona has ruled La Liga since the 1990s, clinching 16 titles to date.
La Liga's popularity is evident in its average attendance of 26,933 during the 2018–19 season, making it one of the world's most-watched domestic sports leagues.
It ranks as the third-highest professional football league globally, following the Bundesliga and the Premier League, and is the world's sixth-richest professional sports league in terms of income.
In UEFA rankings, La Liga holds the second spot, further highlighting its significance in European football.
Since its inception, 62 teams have participated, with Real Madrid securing the most titles at 34.
The league has witnessed various dominant periods, including Valencia, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona in the 1940s, while the 1950s saw Real Madrid and Barcelona each win four titles.
The 1960s and 1970s were marked by Real Madrid's dominance, while the 1980s and 1990s were also led by Real Madrid, with Athletic Club and Real Sociedad also enjoying some success during this time.
3. Fußball-Bundesliga: Germany
Its inaugural season was in 1963
Bayern Munich leads the championship count with 30 titles
UEFA consistently ranks this league as one of the top national leagues in Europe
The Bundesliga, Germany's premier professional football league, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1962, with the inaugural season kicking off in 1963.
The Bundesliga, organised by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund, boasts the world's highest average attendance, with its stadiums frequently hosting over 45,000 spectators per game, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Germans love football!
This Bundesliga, often referred to as Fußball-Bundesliga or 1. Bundesliga, features 18 clubs and operates on a promotion and relegation system.
Its season runs from August to May, mainly with games on weekends. The league's influence extends beyond Germany, with television coverage reaching more than 200 countries.
UEFA ranks it as one of the top national leagues in Europe, consistently placing in the top four.
The Bundesliga has a stellar record in European competitions, producing multiple UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League winners, as well as numerous individual awards and honours for its players.
In a nutshell, it's a powerhouse in the world of football!
With 56 clubs competing over the years, Bayern Munich leads the championship count with 30 titles, although other notable German teams like Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Werder Bremen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart have also clinched the crown.
4. Serie A: Italy
First established in 1898
Ranked as the world’s strongest national league in 2020 by IFFHS
Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan all play in this league
Serie A, often referred to as Serie A TIM, is the top-tier professional football league in Italy and is considered one of the world's premier football leagues.
Established in 1898, it has evolved from regional rounds to a single-tier league since the 1929–30 season. The championship titles won before 1929 hold equal recognition as subsequent titles.
According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), Serie A was ranked as the world's strongest national league in 2020, and it consistently ranks among the top European leagues.
Known for its tactical and defensive prowess, Italy’s Serie A boasts legendary clubs like Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan, all founding members of the G-14 and its successor, the European Club Association (ECA).
Juventus, in particular, has been a dominant force, and the league has seen a resurgence in interest with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.
With iconic players like Del Piero, Maldini, Maradona, Buffon and Nesta gracing its history, Serie A continues to captivate football fans worldwide.
This makes it one of the most thrilling leagues to watch and explains why fans perceive Series A as one of the top 5 football leagues in the world.
5. Primeira Liga: Portugal
Founded in 1934
Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP dominate the league
It reached a world ranking of fourth in the 2011 IFFHS rankings
The Primeira Liga, often referred to as Liga Portugal Bwin due to sponsorship, stands as the pinnacle of professional association football in Portugal.
Founded in 1934 as the Campeonato da Liga da Primeira Division, it has evolved over the years.
The league has witnessed fierce competition, yet only five teams have earned the title of champion. The "Big Three" – Benfica (37 wins), Porto (29 wins) and Sporting CP (19 wins) – have dominated the league, with Belenenses (1945–46) and Boavista (2000–01) as the only other victors.
In recent years, the Primeira Liga has gained international recognition, climbing to fifth place in UEFA's national league ranking as of 2021, surpassing the French Ligue 1 for the first time since 1990.
It also reached a world ranking of fourth in the 2011 IFFHS rankings.
With Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional, known as Liga Portugal, overseeing the tournament, the Primeira Liga continues to grow in popularity, boasting 18 clubs and attracting football enthusiasts worldwide.
Some of the best footballers come from Portugal, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Eusebio and Fernando Peyroteo.
It is one of Europe's elite leagues and lands in fifth place in our list of the world’s most popular football leagues.
6. Ligue I: France
It was first established in 1932
AS Saint-Étienne boasts the most league titles
One of Europe’s top football leagues
Ligue 1, officially named Ligue 1 Uber Eats due to sponsorship, is the premier professional football league in France, sitting at the top of the country's football hierarchy.
Since its inception on September 11, 1932, as National, it underwent a name change to Division 1 after a year and finally adopted the name Ligue 1 in 2002.
AS Saint-Étienne boasts the most league titles with 10, while Olympique Lyonnais holds the record for consecutive titles, winning seven in a row between 2002 and 2008.
With 71 seasons in Ligue 1, Olympique de Marseille leads in terms of longevity, while Paris Saint-Germain has an impressive 47 consecutive seasons in the league.
The season runs from August to May, featuring 20 clubs that play each other twice, resulting in 38 matches per season.
Ligue 1 ranks as one of Europe's top national leagues, trailing behind only England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga.
The league is currently led by Lille, with occasional wins by AS Monaco, making it a captivating cross-border competition.
7. Dutch Eredivisie: Netherlands
First established in 1956
It was ranked seventh by UEFA for the 2020–21 season
Ajax has the most league titles at 35
The Eredivisie, the top-tier professional football league in the Netherlands, has a rich history since its establishment in 1956.
It's recognised as one of Europe's top leagues, ranked seventh by UEFA for the 2020–21 season.
With 18 clubs, each team in this league plays a home-and-away match against every other club during the season.
The league features a promotion and relegation system, where the champion and runner-up of the Eerste Divisie are automatically promoted, while the two lowest-ranked Eredivisie teams face immediate demotion, and the third-from-bottom team competes in promotion/relegation playoffs.
Within the League, Ajax leads the pack with 35 national titles, followed by PSV Eindhoven with 24 and Feyenoord with 15, collectively known as the "Big Three" or "Traditional Top Three" of Dutch football. They have never been relegated since the Eredivisie's inception!
In particular, Ajax and Feyenoord are known for their enduring rivalry.
The Eredivisie is known for its exciting and offensive style of play, nurturing talented youth players, and producing legendary managers like Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, who have left an indelible mark on football history.
8. Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A: Brazil
The league boasts six teams with 10 club world champion titles
The IFFHS ranked it fourth in strength from 2001 to 2012
The most popular football league in the Americas
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, known as Brasileiro, is Brazil's premier men's football competition, sitting atop the country's football league structure.
With 20 clubs, it operates on a promotion and relegation system with Série B.
The Brasileirao is a powerhouse in world football, boasting six teams with 10 club world champion titles and 10 clubs with 20 Copa Libertadores victories.
Recognised as one of the strongest leagues globally, the IFFHS ranked it fourth in strength from 2001 to 2012, trailing behind only the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A.
The Brasileirao holds the distinction of being the most popular football league in the Americas and enjoys extensive global coverage in 155 countries.
It's also one of the world's most lucrative championships, with significant financial value. Brazil has a rich football history, evident in its national team's five FIFA World Cup titles.
While the league showcases extraordinary talent and thrilling matches, frequent managerial changes and a congested schedule have posed challenges.
Nonetheless, the Brasileirao remains a football spectacle with stars, emerging talent and a vibrant footballing culture.
9. Argentina Primera Division: Argentina
The inaugural championship dates back to 1891
Argentina was the first country outside the UK to establish a football league
A season consists of 27 rounds
The Argentina Primera División, the top tier of the Argentine football league system, stands as the nation's premier football competition.
With a promotion and relegation system, the lowest-placed teams in the Primera Nacional (Second Division) face potential demotion.
Argentina boasts a rich football history, with the inaugural championship dating back to 1891. It was actually the first country outside the United Kingdom to establish a football league.
In 1931, the Primera División transitioned into a professional league when 18 clubs separated from the amateur divisions.
The Primera División is recognised by the IFFHS as one of the world's top 10 leagues, trailing behind La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
The 2023 season features 28 clubs, including two promoted from the Primera Nacional. Running from June to October, it consists of 27 rounds, with the team accumulating the most points crowned champion.
Boca Juniors and River Plate infuse the league with fierce rivalry, complemented by other strong teams, such as:
Velez Sarsfield
Lánus
Estudiantes
Racing Club
Banfield
Independiente
San Lorenzo
Newell's Old Boys
Attending a live Primera División match offers a thrilling and intense experience in the football-crazed nation that produced legends like Maradona, Batistuta, Messi and more.
10. Major League Soccer: USA
First established in 1993
The league consists of 28 teams, but it’s aiming to expand to 29 by 2023
Notable players include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa and Ashley Cole
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional men's soccer league in the United States, sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation.
Established in 1993 with the aim of hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup, MLS initially faced financial and operational struggles, folding two teams in 2002.
However, it has since evolved, with soccer-specific stadiums. The Designated Player Rule has also attracted stars like David Beckham, and the league has received lucrative national TV contracts.
It comprises 28 teams, with 25 based in the United States and three in Canada, aiming to expand to 29 by the 2023 season.
As one of the "Big Six" major professional sports leagues in North America, its headquarters are located in Manhattan, New York. MLS ranks as the fourth-highest attended professional sports league in the United States and Canada after the NFL, MLB and CFL.
It plays a regular season from late February to mid-October, consisting of 34 games per team and culminating in the Supporters' Shield for the best team.
The postseason Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs follow, featuring the top teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences, leading to the championship game, the MLS Cup.
Notable players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa, Ashley Cole, André Horta and Bastian Schweinsteiger have elevated the league's quality and appeal, helping soccer become one of the USA’s most popular sports.
Despite being a single entity, MLS teams are owned and operated independently by investors. While the league has a dedicated fan base, it lacks a promotion and relegation system, akin to other soccer leagues worldwide.
Although the MLS has grown in quality and audience over the years, the lengthy offseason remains a drawback for football enthusiasts, especially if their team misses the playoffs.
What Are the Best Football Leagues in the World?
These 10 football leagues unite passionate fans, nurture exceptional talent and shape football history.
From iconic clubs to legendary players, they play a vital role in the global football ecosystem, offering thrilling matches and unforgettable moments that captivate fans worldwide.
It’s no wonder these leagues receive a global following of millions that extends far beyond their home countries.
Do you follow any of these football leagues? Tell us in the comments!
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