BRA.FANSfootball matchday concierge

Competition

Premier League

England's first division. Twenty clubs, thirty-eight rounds, no play-offs and no second chances — the league that decides the English title and fills the continent's two big cups. Pick a club, or read how the competition got here.

First edition
1992
Editions
35
Run by
Premier League
Reigning champion
Arsenal
Most titles
Manchester United20xLiverpool20x

The story

English league football is the oldest in the world — the Football League kicked off in 1888 with twelve clubs, and Preston North End won it without losing a match. For a century the First Division was the top of that pyramid, and the roll of champions runs through Aston Villa and Sunderland before the First World War, Arsenal's Herbert Chapman sides in the 1930s, and the Liverpool teams that won eleven titles in eighteen seasons from 1973.

The Premier League broke away from the Football League in 1992, when the First Division clubs resigned to sell their television rights on their own. It was the commercial split rather than a sporting one — the same twenty-two clubs, the same pyramid beneath them, promotion and relegation untouched — but the money it brought in changed who could compete and who the league was played in front of.

The competition settled at twenty clubs in 1995 and has been thirty-eight rounds ever since: everyone plays everyone home and away, the table decides the title, and there is no play-off at either end. That flatness is unusual among the big European leagues and is most of why the run-in carries what it does — a champion is decided by a season rather than by a final.

What the league exports is not only the football. Its broadcast deals reach more countries than any other domestic competition, which is why a Saturday fixture kicks off at a time that suits an audience thousands of miles away, and why so many of its clubs are owned from outside England. The result is a division followed in places that will never see it in person — including, in numbers, Brazil.

Timeline

  1. The commercial split1992–1994/95

    1. 1992
      MilestoneBreaks from the Football League

      The 22 First Division clubs resign en masse to sell their TV rights on their own.

    2. 1992/93–1993/94
      Manchester United
      • 1992/93Runner-up10 points behindAston Villa
      • 1993/94Runner-up8 points behindBlackburn Rovers

      Wins the first two seasons, ending a 26-year wait for a league title.

    3. 1994/95
      Blackburn Rovers
      • Runner-up1 point behindManchester United

      Kenny Dalglish's side, champions for the first time since 1914.

  2. Settled at twenty clubs1995–2003/04

    1. 1995
      MilestoneDown to twenty clubs

      Four go down and two come up, trimming the league from 22 clubs to 20.

    2. 1995/96–1996/97
      Manchester United
      • 1995/96Runner-up4 points behindNewcastle
      • 1996/97Runner-up7 points behindNewcastle

      Recovers from 12 points behind Newcastle in 1995/96, then retains the title.

    3. 1997/98
      Arsenal
      • Runner-up1 point behindManchester United

      Arsène Wenger's first full season; the first manager from overseas to win it.

    4. 1998/99–2000/01
      Manchester United
      • 1998/99Runner-up1 point behindArsenal
      • 1999/2000Runner-up18 points behindArsenal
      • 2000/01Runner-up10 points behindArsenal

      Three in a row, the first hat-trick of titles in the Premier League.

    5. 2001/02
      Arsenal
      • Runner-up7 points behindLiverpool

      Sealed with a win at Old Trafford, completing a League and FA Cup double.

    6. 2002/03
      Manchester United
      • Runner-up5 points behindArsenal
    7. 2003/04
      Arsenal
      • Runner-up11 points behindChelsea

      The Invincibles: unbeaten in all 38 matches, with 26 wins and 12 draws.

  3. Changed who could compete2004/05–2016/17

    1. 2004/05–2005/06
      Chelsea
      • 2004/05Runner-up12 points behindArsenal
      • 2005/06Runner-up8 points behindManchester United

      José Mourinho's side win back to back, ending a 50-year wait for a league title.

    2. 2006/07–2008/09
      Manchester United
      • 2006/07Runner-up6 points behindChelsea
      • 2007/08Runner-up2 points behindChelsea
      • 2008/09Runner-up4 points behindLiverpool

      A second hat-trick of titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.

    3. 2009/10
      Chelsea
      • Runner-up1 point behindManchester United

      Carlo Ancelotti's side, the first to score 100 goals in a Premier League season.

    4. 2010/11
      Manchester United
      • Runner-up9 points behindChelsea
    5. 2011/12
      Manchester City
      • Runner-uplevel on pointsManchester United

      Won on goal difference in stoppage time on the final day; City's first title since 1968.

    6. 2012/13
      Manchester United
      • Runner-up11 points behindManchester City

      Sir Alex Ferguson's last title before he retired in 2013.

    7. 2013/14
      Manchester City
      • Runner-up2 points behindLiverpool
    8. 2014/15
      Chelsea
      • Runner-up8 points behindManchester City
    9. 2015/16
      Leicester City
      • Runner-up10 points behindArsenal

      A first top-flight title, won by Claudio Ranieri's side as 5,000/1 outsiders.

    10. 2016/17
      Chelsea
      • Runner-up7 points behindTottenham

  4. Decided by a season2017/18–2025/26

    1. 2017/18–2018/19
      Manchester City
      • 2017/18Runner-up19 points behindManchester United
      • 2018/19Runner-up1 point behindLiverpool

      The first 100-point season, won by 19 points, then a title by one point over Liverpool.

    2. 2019/20
      Liverpool
      • Runner-up18 points behindManchester City

      The club's first league title since 1990, sealed with seven games to spare.

    3. 2020/21–2023/24
      Manchester City
      • 2020/21Runner-up12 points behindManchester United
      • 2021/22Runner-up1 point behindLiverpool
      • 2022/23Runner-up5 points behindArsenal
      • 2023/24Runner-up2 points behindArsenal

      Four in a row, a first in the Premier League or the First Division before it.

    4. 2024/25
      Liverpool
      • Runner-up10 points behindArsenal

      Won in Arne Slot's first season in charge.

    5. 2025/26
      Arsenal
      • Runner-up7 points behindManchester City

      Mikel Arteta's side, champions for the first time since the Invincibles of 2003/04.

      Reigning champions

How it works

The 20 clubs play each other home and away, and whoever finishes with the most points is the champion. The top four qualify for the Champions League. Fifth place takes a Europa League group-stage berth. The bottom three are relegated. Tie-breaks, where clubs are level on points: 1) Goal difference; 2) Goals scored; 3) Head-to-head — points; 4) Head-to-head — away goals.

All-time winners

ClubTitles
Manchester UnitedLiverpool20×
Arsenal14×
Manchester City10×
Chelsea6×
Blackburn Rovers3×
Leicester City1×

All-time records

  1. 76,398
    RecordHighest attendance
    DetailsMan Utd v Blackburn Rovers, Old Trafford — 31 Mar 2007
  2. 9–0
    RecordBiggest win
    DetailsAchieved 4 times, most recently Liverpool 9–0 Bournemouth (2022/23)
  3. 11
    RecordMost goals, one match
    DetailsPortsmouth 7–4 Reading — 2007
  4. 7.69s
    RecordFastest goal
    DetailsShane Long, Southampton v Watford — Apr 2019
  5. 103
    RecordMost goals, a season (club)
    DetailsChelsea, 2009–10
  6. 36
    RecordMost goals, a season (player)
    DetailsErling Haaland, Man City — 2022–23
  7. 260
    RecordMost goals, all time
    DetailsAlan Shearer
  8. 653
    RecordMost appearances
    DetailsGareth Barry
  9. 49 matches
    RecordLongest unbeaten run
    DetailsArsenal, "The Invincibles" — 2003–04 the only unbeaten season
  10. 100
    RecordMost points, a season
    DetailsManchester City

Best managers of all time

  1. Sir Alex Ferguson
    Clubs managed
    Manchester United
    Titles
  2. Pep Guardiola
    Clubs managed
    Manchester City
    Titles
  3. Arsène Wenger
    Clubs managed
    Arsenal
    Titles
  4. José Mourinho
    Clubs managed
    Chelsea
    Titles
  5. Jürgen Klopp
    Clubs managed
    Liverpool
    Titles
  6. Carlo Ancelotti
    Clubs managed
    Chelsea
    Titles
  7. Claudio Ranieri
    Clubs managed
    Leicester City
    Titles
  8. Manuel Pellegrini
    Clubs managed
    Manchester City
    Titles
  9. Roberto Mancini
    Clubs managed
    Manchester City
    Titles
  10. Kenny Dalglish
    Clubs managed
    Blackburn Rovers
    Titles

Best players of all time

Attackers

  1. Thierry Henry
    NationalityFrench
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot 4x
  2. Alan Shearer
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Blackburn Rovers
    Newcastle United
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot 3x
  3. Wayne Rooney
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Everton
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  4. Sergio Agüero
    NationalityArgentine
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot
  5. Harry Kane
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    AwardsGolden Boot 4x
  6. Ian Wright
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Crystal Palace
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  7. Robin van Persie
    NationalityDutch
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Manchester United
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot
  8. Didier Drogba
    NationalityIvorian
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot 2x
  9. Michael Owen
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Newcastle United
    Manchester United
    Stoke City
    Titles—
    AwardsGolden Boot
  10. Robbie Fowler
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Leeds United
    Manchester City
    Titles—
    Awards—
  11. Dennis Bergkamp
    NationalityDutch
    PositionSecond striker
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  12. Eric Cantona
    NationalityFrench
    PositionSecond striker
    Clubs played for
    Leeds United
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  13. Ruud van Nistelrooy
    NationalityDutch
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot
  14. Fernando Torres
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Chelsea
    Titles—
    Awards—
  15. Luis Suárez
    NationalityUruguayan
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles—
    AwardsGolden Boot
  16. Mohamed Salah
    NationalityEgyptian
    PositionRight winger
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles
    AwardsGolden Boot
  17. Andy Cole
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Newcastle United
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  18. Teddy Sheringham
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionSecond striker
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Manchester United
    West Ham United
    Titles
    Awards—
  19. Les Ferdinand
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Queens Park Rangers
    Newcastle United
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    Awards—
  20. Emmanuel Adebayor
    NationalityTogolese
    PositionStriker
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Manchester City
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    Awards—

Centre-backs

  1. Tony Adams
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  2. John Terry
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  3. Rio Ferdinand
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    West Ham United
    Leeds United
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  4. Nemanja Vidić
    NationalitySerbian
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  5. Jamie Carragher
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles—
    Awards—
  6. Sol Campbell
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  7. Vincent Kompany
    NationalityBelgian
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  8. Virgil van Dijk
    NationalityDutch
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles
    Awards—
  9. William Gallas
    NationalityFrench
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Arsenal
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles
    Awards—
  10. Ledley King
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    Awards—
  11. Jaap Stam
    NationalityDutch
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  12. Martin Keown
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  13. Steve Bruce
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  14. Wes Brown
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  15. Ricardo Carvalho
    NationalityPortuguese
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  16. John Stones
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Everton
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  17. Harry Maguire
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Leicester City
    Manchester United
    Titles—
    Awards—
  18. Phil Jagielka
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Sheffield United
    Everton
    Titles—
    Awards—
  19. Gary Cahill
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Bolton Wanderers
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  20. Joleon Lescott
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentre-Back
    Clubs played for
    Everton
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—

Full-backs

  1. Gary Neville
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  2. Ashley Cole
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  3. Patrice Evra
    NationalityFrench
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  4. Kyle Walker
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  5. Trent Alexander-Arnold
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles
    Awards—
  6. Andrew Robertson
    NationalityScottish
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Hull City
    Liverpool
    Titles
    Awards—
  7. Branislav Ivanović
    NationalitySerbian
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  8. Bacary Sagna
    NationalityFrench
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Manchester City
    Titles—
    Awards—
  9. Leighton Baines
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Wigan Athletic
    Everton
    Titles—
    Awards—
  10. Glen Johnson
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    West Ham United
    Chelsea
    Liverpool
    Titles
    Awards—
  11. Gaël Clichy
    NationalityFrench
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  12. Wayne Bridge
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Southampton
    Chelsea
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  13. Kieran Trippier
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Newcastle United
    Titles—
    Awards—
  14. Luke Shaw
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Southampton
    Manchester United
    Titles—
    Awards—
  15. César Azpilicueta
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionRight-Back / Left-Back
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  16. Micah Richards
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  17. Nathaniel Clyne
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Southampton
    Liverpool
    Titles—
    Awards—
  18. Benjamin Mendy
    NationalityFrench
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  19. Ryan Bertrand
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionLeft-Back
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Southampton
    Titles—
    Awards—
  20. Danny Mills
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Back
    Clubs played for
    Leeds United
    Titles—
    Awards—

Midfielders

  1. Steven Gerrard
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles—
    Awards—
  2. Frank Lampard
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    West Ham United
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  3. Roy Keane
    NationalityIrish
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Nottingham Forest
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  4. Patrick Vieira
    NationalityFrench
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  5. Paul Scholes
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  6. Kevin De Bruyne
    NationalityBelgian
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  7. David Silva
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  8. N'Golo Kanté
    NationalityFrench
    PositionDefensive-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Leicester City
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  9. Cesc Fàbregas
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  10. Yaya Touré
    NationalityIvorian
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  11. Xabi Alonso
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionDefensive-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles—
    Awards—
  12. Claude Makélélé
    NationalityFrench
    PositionDefensive-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  13. Gareth Barry
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Aston Villa
    Manchester City
    Everton
    Titles
    Awards—
  14. Michael Essien
    NationalityGhanaian
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  15. Luka Modrić
    NationalityCroatian
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    Awards—
  16. Mesut Özil
    NationalityGerman
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Arsenal
    Titles—
    Awards—
  17. Juan Mata
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionAttacking-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Manchester United
    Titles—
    Awards—
  18. David Beckham
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionRight-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  19. Ryan Giggs
    NationalityWelsh
    PositionLeft-Midfielder / winger
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  20. Bryan Robson
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionCentral-Midfielder
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles—
    Awards—

Goalkeepers

  1. Peter Schmeichel
    NationalityDanish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  2. David Seaman
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Queens Park Rangers
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  3. Petr Čech
    NationalityCzech
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Arsenal
    Titles
    Awards—
  4. Edwin van der Sar
    NationalityDutch
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Fulham
    Manchester United
    Titles
    Awards—
  5. Alisson Becker
    NationalityBrazilian
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles
    Awards—
  6. Ederson
    NationalityBrazilian
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  7. Thibaut Courtois
    NationalityBelgian
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Chelsea
    Titles
    Awards—
  8. Joe Hart
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Manchester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  9. Pepe Reina
    NationalitySpanish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Titles—
    Awards—
  10. David James
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Aston Villa
    West Ham United
    Manchester City
    Portsmouth
    Titles—
    Awards—
  11. Nigel Martyn
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Crystal Palace
    Leeds United
    Titles—
    Awards—
  12. Mark Schwarzer
    NationalityAustralian
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Middlesbrough
    Fulham
    Chelsea
    Titles—
    Awards—
  13. Tim Howard
    NationalityAmerican
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    Everton
    Titles—
    Awards—
  14. Kasper Schmeichel
    NationalityDanish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Leicester City
    Titles
    Awards—
  15. Fraser Forster
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Southampton
    Titles—
    Awards—
  16. Ben Foster
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Manchester United
    West Bromwich Albion
    Watford
    Titles—
    Awards—
  17. Shay Given
    NationalityIrish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Newcastle United
    Titles—
    Awards—
  18. Brad Friedel
    NationalityAmerican
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Liverpool
    Blackburn Rovers
    Aston Villa
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    Awards—
  19. Paul Robinson
    NationalityEnglish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Leeds United
    Tottenham Hotspur
    Titles—
    Awards—
  20. Jussi Jääskeläinen
    NationalityFinnish
    PositionGoalkeeper
    Clubs played for
    Bolton Wanderers
    Titles—
    Awards—

This season

The 2026/27 season brings back three very different stories: Coventry City, champions of the Championship, return after 25 years away; Ipswich Town are back after just one season down, having gone straight back up; and Hull City end a nine-year wait, sealed in the play-off final. Twenty clubs chase the Premier League title over thirty-eight rounds, from August to May.

See the season