With its timeless appeal, football has become the most popular sport on the planet. Among the numerous tournaments taking place all over the world, only a few have achieved the title of the most-watched football league in the world. These tournaments not only create top matches but also attract millions of fans from all continents, thanks to the professional quality, fierce competition, and global coverage. Join Wintips to explore the list of the top 10 football leagues in the world, where each season is a magical journey of emotions and passion.
Most watched football leagues in the world
Today, we look at the top 10 leagues in the world, based on their quality, competitiveness, global reach, financial strength, and overall impact:
1. Premier League
The Premier League is the most watched football league in the world. The Premier League is home to some of the best players and managers in the world. The English top flight is always near the top of the list of teams spending the most in any transfer window.
From the big clubs to the best broadcasting and TV deals, the league is never boring. Every game, whether it's a top-flight clash or a relegation battle, is watched around the world. All teams, even those outside the 'big 6', have fantastic talent, either from their academies or the transfer market, creating exciting football every week.
The Premier League is broadcast in 212 territories. The 2023-24 season was the most-watched Premier League season in the United States, with an average audience of 546,000 viewers and 2.9 million viewers on the final day. Meanwhile, in India, the league reached 7.1 million viewers, up 63% from the previous season. With a potential television audience of 4.7 billion, the Premier League is the most-watched sports league in the world.
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2. LaLiga
La Liga, Spain's top men's soccer league, is one of the most prestigious leagues in the world, featuring some of the best teams and players. Founded in 1929, La Liga has a history of more than 95 years, featuring 20 teams each season.
Real Madrid, commonly known as "Los Blancos," is the most successful club in La Liga history, with 35 titles. Their arch-rivals Barcelona is no slouch with 27 titles, demonstrating their strength over the decades. Each "El Clásico" between the two teams is not only an iconic confrontation but also a sporting event that attracts global attention.
Atlético Madrid, another formidable force, demonstrated the fierce competition in the league by winning the championship in the recent season, reaching a record 76 million viewers per match. This is a testament to the strong appeal of La Liga, not only domestically but also worldwide.
Thanks to the top quality of football and the relentless dedication of the clubs, La Liga continues to affirm its position as one of the most watched leagues in the world of football.
3. Ligue 1
Ligue 1, France's top football league, is one of the most watched in the world. Although it is notorious for its financial imbalance, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dominating thanks to the vast resources of its wealthy owners, the league had a history of fierce competition before PSG's dominance in the new era.
PSG is currently the most successful club in Ligue 1 history, with 12 titles, surpassing the previous record of AS Saint-Etienne (10 titles). Olympique de Marseille, one of PSG's biggest rivals, also asserted its position with 9 titles. However, PSG's dominance in recent years has changed the balance of power in the league.
PSG are the defending champions, having had a convincing season in which they have repeatedly asserted their superiority. The team's appeal has contributed significantly to Ligue 1's global popularity, especially after Lionel Messi joined the team. The average stadium attendance is 22,484, while each match attracts around 10.5 million viewers worldwide.
Despite its reputation as "PSG's league," Ligue 1 remains attractive with promising young talent and dramatic confrontations, which continue to affirm its position in international football.
4. Liga Apertura
Liga MX Apertura, Mexico's top soccer league, is considered the strongest league in North America. With its dynamic, high-tech style of play, Liga MX shares many similarities with the top soccer leagues in Spain and Brazil, which always produce attractive and artistic matches.
Club América is the most successful team in the history of the tournament, with 15 championships, and is also the defending champion. This team has affirmed its position not only through titles but also due to its large fan base and professionalism in the way it operates its squad.
According to official figures, the average number of spectators coming to the stadium to watch Liga MX matches is 25,557, proving the enthusiasm of soccer fans in Mexico. Not only limited to the stands, Liga MX also made a strong impression on the small screen, with the recent TV viewership reaching an impressive 3.7 million households.
Liga MX's appeal is not only limited to the country but also extends to the region and the world, helping the tournament affirm its position on the international football map. With a combination of tradition and innovation, Liga MX Apertura continues to be the center of attention in North American football.
5. Serie A
Serie A, Italy's top football league, is home to iconic clubs such as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, and many other prestigious teams. With a rich history and top-notch expertise, Serie A is considered one of the most attractive tournaments in world football.
Juventus, the most traditional team in the league, has won a total of 36 championships, affirming its leading position in Italy. In addition, Inter Milan, the defending champion, is also a major force with many proud titles. Along with AC Milan, these clubs not only bring dramatic confrontations but also contribute to creating a special attraction for the tournament.
Serie A always attracts a large audience with an average of 24,700 people attending the stadium per match. When Cristiano Ronaldo played in the tournament, Serie A's popularity increased dramatically, with more than 2 million viewers per match, demonstrating the global influence of the tournament.
With its tactical gameplay and world-class stars, Serie A is not just the pride of Italian football but also an indispensable part of the international football scene.
6. Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top soccer league in the United States, reflecting the rapid growth of soccer in a country known for sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. Given the size of the country, MLS now has 29 teams divided into two conferences: Eastern and Western, to optimize the schedule and create exciting regional derbies.
MLS is attracting increasingly more attention, with an average stadium attendance now reaching 21,310 people per game. This number reflects a significant increase in fan interest in soccer. On the small screen, MLS has also made great strides, with around 2 million viewers per game, making the league one of the most watched soccer leagues in the world.
From 2012 to 2021, the league's average viewership reached 285,000 people per game, demonstrating MLS's steady growth. With the presence of famous international players and investment in infrastructure, MLS has not only affirmed its position in the United States but also gradually reached the international level. This has made it an attractive destination for many football stars.
7. Bundesliga
The Bundesliga, Germany's top football league, is known as one of the most exciting and most-watched leagues in the world thanks to its fast-paced, attacking style of play. It is home to some of the best young talent and prestigious clubs in the world, including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich is the most successful team in Bundesliga history, with an impressive winning streak across several seasons. However, their incredible unbeaten run was ended by Bayer Leverkusen, which had a perfect season under the management of Xabi Alonso. This success marked the rise of fierce competition in the league.
The Bundesliga is also known for its passionate fans, with an average attendance of 43,458 per game, the highest of Europe's top leagues. Through television broadcasts, the league attracts an average of 361,000 viewers per match, with a potential audience of 1.7 million households worldwide.
With its combination of professional quality and fan appeal, the Bundesliga is not only the pride of German football but also an important part of the global football scene.
8. Brasileiro Serie A
Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Brazil's top league, is one of the most prestigious and traditional football leagues in South America. It is also the birthplace of many of the world's top football stars, helping to affirm the position of Brazilian football on the international map. Players such as Neymar, Vinicius Jr, and many other talented players have grown up in this playground before shining at European clubs.
Palmeiras, with its impressive achievements, is the most successful club in the history of the tournament, affirming its position of power in Brazilian football. Serie A is not only famous for its professional quality but also for attracting a large number of fans. The average number of spectators coming to the stadium reaches 43,458 people per match, proving the strong passion for football among the people.
Globally, the Brazilian Serie A averages 1.4 million viewers per match, reflecting its appeal not only regionally but also internationally. In 2022 alone, more than eight million fans attended matches, highlighting the fervor and passion for the sport in the country.
9. Eredivisie
The Eredivisie, the top football league in the Netherlands, is known for its Total Football philosophy that has shaped world football. It has also produced many outstanding young players who have gone on to shine in major European leagues. Teams such as Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord are icons not only of Dutch football but also of global football history.
The Eredivisie attracts an average of 18,010 spectators to the stadium per match, a testament to the fan base’s commitment to the league. Furthermore, the league is broadcast in over 100 countries, allowing a global audience to watch top-level matches and witness the development of young stars.
The Ajax-PSV Eindhoven match in 2021 was a highlight, with 1.46 million viewers watching on television, demonstrating the special appeal of big-league clashes. However, Eredivisie’s average viewership is often lower because of the relatively low popularity of other teams in the league.
Despite this, the Eredivisie still holds a special place thanks to the high quality of player development and unique football philosophy, contributing significantly to the development of world football.
10. Chinese Super League
The Chinese Super League (CSL) became a global sensation thanks to its strategy of recruiting big stars from Europe and other regions. High-profile signings such as Oscar, Hulk, and Carlos Tevez have made the league the center of attention, helping to elevate Chinese football on the international map.
With a total of 16 teams participating, the CSL is not only a domestic playground but also a gathering place for many top talents, fostering significant competition and drawing attention. The average number of spectators attending matches reached 24,107 per match, which is among the highest in Asia, demonstrating strong interest from local fans.
Notably, in the 2019 season, the CSL recorded more than 700 million views globally, reflecting the remarkable growth in the popularity of the tournament. This not only shows the attraction of famous players but also proves China's systematic investment in football.
Despite facing many challenges, the tournament still maintains its appeal thanks to the combination of domestic talent and international stars, continuing to affirm its position in Asian football.
Conclusion
The world’s top football leagues are not only fiercely competitive but also reflect the growth and global influence of the king of sports. From the Premier League, and La Liga, to tournaments like the Bundesliga or the Chinese Super League, each league has its appeal and characteristics, attracting millions of fans worldwide. Whether it is due to the high quality of players, the presence of stars, or innovative development strategies, these most watched football leagues in the world play an important role in developing football and connecting the sports-loving community around the world.
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