Top 10 Football Leagues of All Time

10. English Premier League

The English Premier League, founded on February 20, 1992, is the top tier of English football, featuring 20 clubs. Manchester City, the reigning champion (2022–23), has won seven titles. It is the most-watched sports league globally and ranks among the top ten richest football leagues.

9. La Liga

La Liga, Spain's premier football league, was established by Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional in 1929. With 20 teams since the 1997–98 season, it is now known as La Liga EA SPORTS due to sponsorship. The league remains a top football competition in Spain.

8. Bundesliga

The Bundesliga, founded by the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) on August 24, 1963, is Germany's premier football league. It features 18 teams and is known for its competitive matches. Bundesliga teams compete in the DFB-Pokal Cup, and the league winner qualifies for the DFL Supercup. It ranks among the top ten richest football leagues globally.

7. Italian Serie A

Italian Serie A, established by Lega Serie A in 1898 and reorganized as a round-robin league in 1929, is one of football's oldest leagues. Teams compete for the Scudetto and Coppa Campioni d'Italia. Serie A is ranked first by IFFHS for its prestigious history and quality.

6. Ligue 1

Ligue 1, established by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) in 1930, is now sponsored as Ligue 1 Uber Eats. With 20 teams, it's a top French football league. Clubs from Ligue 1 have secured major international titles like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

5. Eredivisie

Founded by KNVB in 1956, the Eredivisie is the top Dutch football league. With 18 clubs, it's ranked 5th in Europe by UEFA for the 2023–24 season. The latest champion, as of 2022–23, is Feyenoord, who won their 16th title.

4. Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A

The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, also known as Brasileirão Assaí due to sponsorship, was founded in 1937 by the Brazilian Football Confederation. This top Brazilian football league showcases the country's premier teams and is a key fixture in global football.

3. Primeira Liga

The Primeira Liga, also known as Liga Portugal or Liga Portugal Betclic for sponsorship reasons, was founded in 1934. It features 18 teams and gained prominence by ranking sixth in UEFA's national league rankings as of 2021.

2. Argentine Primera Division

The Argentine Football Association (AFA), founded in 1891, is one of the most popular and well-managed football leagues globally. It has significantly boosted its functionality in recent years and ranks among the top ten richest football clubs in the world.

1. Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer (MLS), managed by the U.S. Soccer Federation, is a top-tier league in the U.S. and Canada, with 27 teams—24 American and 3 Canadian. Notable players include Zlatan Ibrahimović and Wayne Rooney. Founded on December 17, 1993, MLS is governed by CONCACAF.