Top 10 most watched football league in the world
Football, the most popular sport in the world, attracts millions of spectators not only in stadiums but also through live broadcasts and online channels. With more than 200 participating countries, the sport has become a global phenomenon. Some famous football leagues, thanks to the quality of players and teams, always attract a large number of viewers. If you are looking for information about the 10 most watched football league in the world, this article from Premiumsoccertips.net will provide you with everything you need to know.
10 Most viewed football leagues
So which league is watched by 3.5 billion football fans the most? Here is a list of the most watched football leagues in the world.
1. Premier League
The 2018-2019 season was a milestone for Premier League football, with 3.2 billion people worldwide watching the matches, making it the most popular and most watched sport in the world. The tournament began in 1992 in England and currently has a total of 20 participating teams, creating an extremely vibrant and competitive playground. The Premier League is not only famous for its high level of expertise but also for its famous names in the world of football.
One of the factors that makes the Premier League an attractive tournament is the appearance of top superstars who have chosen this tournament as a destination in their careers. Legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry have all made their mark in the league. Manchester City have dominated the league in recent years, winning six titles, but Liverpool and Chelsea are also strong contenders, adding to the appeal of the Premier League.
2. La Liga
La Liga, Spain’s top football league, was founded in 1929 and has since become one of the most exciting and popular leagues in the world. By the 2019-2020 season, the tournament had attracted more than 2.5 billion viewers worldwide. Of the 20 teams participating in La Liga, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two dominant teams and are always direct competitors for the throne. The match between these two teams, often called El Clásico, is always a sporting event that fans look forward to, with tense and dramatic matches, bringing a lot of emotions and beautiful moves.
El Clásico is not only famous for the fierce competition between the two giants of Spanish football, but also a gathering place for world-class star players. One of the legends that cannot be ignored is Lionel Messi, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. Messi spent 17 seasons playing for Barcelona, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the club and La Liga with impressive achievements and excellent performances.
3. Chinese Super League
The Chinese Super League (CSL) has become one of the most prominent leagues in Asia since its inception, with an impressive viewership of around 700 million in the 2019 season. The CSL, which has been in existence for 18 years and currently features 18 teams, has become one of the most attractive and competitive leagues in Asia. The league has attracted attention not only from fans in the region but also from around the world, especially thanks to the strong development of its clubs and the huge investment in international stars.
In the history of the CSL, Guangzhou is the team that has won the most championships, affirming its superior position over the years. In addition, one of the most prominent rivalries in the league is the Shanghai Derbies, where three Shanghai-based clubs – Shanghai SIPG, Shenhua and Port – compete relentlessly for the right to pride themselves in the city. These derbies not only provide dramatic moments but also showcase the intense passion of the fans, making the CSL even more exciting and attractive.
4. Ligue 1
Ligue 1, France’s top football league, attracted around 54 million viewers on French television in the 2019-2020 season. Founded in 1930, Ligue 1 now has 20 teams and is one of the top leagues in Europe. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Saint-Étienne are the two most prominent and successful clubs in the history of the league, each having won ten championships, affirming their position in French football. PSG, with its strong investment and quality players, has always been a team with great appeal, especially with the presence of superstar Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., also known as Neymar, who has brought many great moments to fans.
Apart from PSG, one of the most dramatic matches in Ligue 1 is the Derby du Nord, when RC Lens faces Lille OSC. This is a clash between two teams from the northern part of France, always attracting great attention from fans with competitive and tense football. This derby is one of the matches not to be missed if you love fierce competition and the passionate atmosphere of French football.
5. Bundesliga
In May 2020, when the Bundesliga returned to action after a break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league set a new record of 6 million fans watching matches. Founded in 1963, the Bundesliga is Germany’s top football league, known for its fierce competition and high level of professionalism. One of the factors that makes the Bundesliga special is its fan-friendly environment. With large stadiums, reasonable ticket prices and dedicated clubs, the Bundesliga has become a league that attracts a large number of viewers from home and abroad.
Of the 18 teams participating in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich is the most successful team with 31 championships, affirming its unique position in German football. Bayern Munich’s dominance comes not only from the quality of its strong squad but also from the club’s reasonable investment strategy and sustainable development. Bayern Munich’s success also highlights the importance of the Bundesliga in European football, where there are always attractive and competitive matches between big teams.
6. Serie A
In 2021, the opening match of Serie A attracted around 4.3 million fans, proving the appeal of this tournament not only domestically but also worldwide. Serie A, the top football league in Italy, has existed for over 100 years and has always been one of the prominent tournaments in Europe. This tournament brings together 20 teams, of which Juventus is the most successful club with 36 championships, affirming its dominant position in Italian football over the past decades.
One of the most prominent and anticipated confrontations in Serie A is the Milan Derby, when AC Milan and Inter Milan face each other. This is a competition between two big teams in the city of Milan, always bringing dramatic, tense matches and no shortage of eye-catching moves. The Milan Derby is not only a match between two clubs but also a battle for pride in the hearts of Milan fans and the whole of Italy, always attracting special attention from football lovers.
7. Liga Apertura
Liga Apertura, Mexico’s top soccer league, has attracted 3.7 million viewers worldwide and continues to grow in fan following thanks to the explosive growth of Mexican soccer. Founded in 1943, Liga Apertura now features 18 teams and remains one of the most exciting leagues in North America. The league’s growth has come not only from the quality of play but also from the dramatic and passionate matches that attract fans not only domestically but also internationally.
The tournament features four major matches, but the most notable and dramatic match is El Súper Clásico, the match between Chivas Guadalajara and Club América. This is one of the most prominent and competitive matches in Mexican soccer, where fans witness intense, dramatic and emotional matches. Club América is currently the league leader with 13 titles, affirming its position in the history of Liga Apertura and always being one of the strongest teams in Mexican football.
8. Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States, attracts an average of two million viewers each season. Founded in 1993, MLS has grown to become an important league in North America. Currently, the league has a total of 28 participating teams, and is expected to add a new team in 2023, marking the future expansion of MLS. MLS is not only famous for its participation of international players but also for its special appeal to fans.
LA Galaxy is the most successful club in MLS history with five championships, affirming its superior position in the league. The team is also considered one of the most popular teams in the United States, thanks to its continuous success and talented players. One of the standout MLS rivalries is the New York Derby, which sees the New York Red Bulls take on New York City FC. It is one of the most exciting and anticipated matches of the tournament, as two New York City teams battle it out for bragging rights and to assert their dominance in MLS.
9. Eredivisie
The rivalry between the top two teams in the Eredivisie, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, is known as “De Topper,” and every time they meet, it is always a fascinating sporting event. The match between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in 2021 attracted a record audience of 1.46 million viewers, reflecting the strong appeal of this rivalry. The Eredivisie, founded in 1956, is the top professional football league in the Netherlands and is known for its high standards of play and dramatic matches.
This tournament has a clear promotion and relegation system, with the lowest-ranked team in the Eredivisie being relegated to the Eerste Divisie at the end of the season, while the Eerste Divisie champion is promoted to the Eredivisie. This creates a fierce rivalry not only between the teams in the Eredivisie but also between the teams in the Eerste Divisie, bringing drama to the league. The Eredivisie has also produced many famous footballers, including Ruud Gullit, who played for big clubs and contributed to the development of Dutch football.
10. Brasileiro Série A
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil’s top football league, attracts around 1.4 million viewers worldwide. Founded in 1959, the league currently features 20 teams, creating a competitive and dramatic environment. Clube Atlético Mineiro is the current champion of the league, but Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras has won the most titles in history, cementing its position as the pre-eminent force in Brazilian football.
The league is notable for its many intense rivalries, including one of the most famous grudge matches, known as Choque-Rei (The Kings’ Clash), when Palmeiras take on São Paulo. This rivalry between two of Brazil’s biggest and most storied clubs is always full of drama, intensity and emotion. Choque-Rei always attracts the attention of fans, creating one of the most exciting matches in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Conclusion
Football continues to be the most watched and played sport globally, and the top 10 most watched football league in the world leading the way. No matter where you are in the world, you can always witness intense matches and there is no shortage of passionate fans cheering for their favorite team. Each league brings dramatic competition and memorable moments. Besides traditional football, there are many interesting variations of the game such as freestyle football, beach soccer and other forms, giving fans more options to enjoy the king of sports. The continuous growth of global football only adds to the appeal and influence of this sport.