List of English football champions

The list of English football champions is a comprehensive record of the clubs that have won the top tier of professional association football in England, beginning with the inaugural season of the Football League in 1888–89 and continuing through to the present day under the Premier League banner since 1992.^[1] This competition, governed initially by the Football Association and later by the Premier League organization, has crowned a champion each season across 126 editions as of the 2024–25 campaign, interrupted only by the World Wars in 1915–1919 and 1939–1946.^[2][1] The Football League was founded on 17 April 1888 by representatives from 12 clubs, primarily from the North and Midlands of England, to formalize competitive play amid growing professionalism in the sport.^[3] Initially comprising a single division of 12 teams, it expanded to 14 clubs in 1891–92 and further to 18 by 1898–99, with periodic restructurings including the addition of a Second Division in 1892–93.^[1] The league faced significant disruptions during the First World War (1915–1919), when official competitions were suspended, and the Second World War (1939–1946), during which regional wartime leagues operated instead; no titles were awarded in those periods.^[1] Post-war, the First Division resumed with 22 teams in 1946 until the formation of the Premier League, as it had been since 1919, reflecting the competition's evolution into one of the world's most prestigious and commercially dominant football leagues.^[2] In 1992, the top 22 clubs broke away from the Football League to establish the FA Premier League (later simply the Premier League), driven by desires for greater commercial control, increased television revenue, and international marketing.^[3] This rebranding introduced a more globalized structure with sponsorships, such as the Barclays deal from 2001 to 2016, and has seen the league maintain 20 teams since 1995–96, with promotion and relegation to the EFL Championship.^[4] The modern era has been marked by intense competition among elite clubs, boosted by foreign investment and star players, culminating in Liverpool's victory in the 2024–25 season, their 20th top-flight title.^[2][5] The distribution of titles highlights the dominance of a few historic clubs, with Manchester United and Liverpool tied as the most successful with 20 championships each, followed by Arsenal with 13.^[1] Other notable winners include Manchester City (10 titles), Everton (9), and Aston Villa (7), while 24 different clubs have claimed the crown in total, underscoring the competition's blend of tradition and occasional surprises, such as Leicester City's improbable 2015–16 triumph.^[2] Below is a summary of the clubs with the most titles: This table illustrates the historical depth, with early dominance by northern clubs giving way to the modern "Big Six" influence.^[1][2]

League Overview

Formation and Early Years

The Football League was founded in 1888 by William McGregor, a Scottish-born director of Aston Villa, who sought to create a structured national competition amid the rising professionalism and disorganized fixture schedules of English football clubs.^[6] McGregor's initiative stemmed from the need for guaranteed regular matches, as clubs previously relied on ad hoc friendly games and regional tournaments, which often led to financial instability.^[7] In a pivotal letter dated 2 March 1888, McGregor proposed the formation of a league to representatives of leading clubs, leading to an inaugural meeting on 22 March at Anderson's Hotel in London, where the league's principles were agreed upon.^[6] The inaugural 1888–89 season featured 12 founding member clubs: Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.^[8] Matches were played in a home-and-away format, totaling 22 games per team, with no initial provision for promotion or relegation, as the league operated as a closed competition.^[9] Preston North End emerged as the first champions, completing the season undefeated with 18 wins and 4 draws, earning the nickname "The Invincibles," and they also secured the FA Cup to achieve the first league and cup double.^[10] Key early developments included the legalization of professionalism in 1885, when the Football Association lifted its ban on player payments following pressure from northern clubs, enabling the sport's transition from amateur roots to a professional framework that underpinned the league's viability.^[7] This shift facilitated a move from regional competitions, such as the Football Alliance, to a unified national structure, culminating in the introduction of the Second Division in 1892 to expand the league to 28 clubs by incorporating Alliance members and promoting growth.^[8] The league faced significant disruptions during wartime: it was suspended from 1915 to 1919 amid World War I, after completing the 1914–15 season, with regional leagues serving as substitutes to maintain some competitive play; similarly, it halted operations from 1939 to 1946 during World War II, again relying on regional formats until full resumption in 1946–47.^[11] These interruptions preserved the championship's continuity by deferring titles only for the affected seasons, ensuring the competition's historical integrity.^[12]

Evolution to Premier League

The First Division of the Football League expanded to 22 teams ahead of the 1919–20 season, marking a significant growth following the resumption of competitive play after the First World War, with the addition of clubs such as Arsenal to the First Division and Coventry City to the Second Division through re-election processes.^[13] This expansion continued in subsequent decades, with the Third Division North and South expanding to 24 teams each by the 1950–51 season as the overall league structure grew from 88 to 92 clubs to accommodate rising participation across England and Wales.^[8] Promotion and relegation between the First and Second Divisions initially relied on test matches in the early years, evolving into an automatic system; by 1973–74, the standard of three teams promoted and three relegated—known as three-up-three-down—was formalized between the second and third tiers, with both the top flight and lower tiers adopting a three-up-three-down format starting from the 1973–74 season, enhancing competitive fluidity.^[14] Following the Second World War, English football revived with the resumption of the Football League in the 1946–47 season, drawing record attendances of over 35 million spectators as fans sought normalcy amid postwar recovery, though fixture congestion extended the campaign into late summer.^[11] Amid this revival, labor tensions peaked in 1961 when the Professional Footballers' Association, led by Jimmy Hill, organized a player revolt and threatened strike action against the maximum wage cap of £20 per week during the season and £17 in the close season, culminating in its abolition on January 18 and allowing free wage negotiations for the first time.^{[15] [8]} Tiebreaking rules also modernized during this period; goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded) served as the primary method until the 1975–76 season, after which goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) was adopted starting in 1976–77 to simplify calculations and better reflect overall performance.^[14] The most transformative shift occurred in 1992 with the formation of the FA Premier League, a breakaway league established by the 22 top-flight clubs resigning from the Football League on 27 May 1992 to gain greater control over lucrative television broadcasting revenues, which had been undervalued in prior deals worth around £40 million over four years. This rebranding renamed the First Division as the Premier League, effective from the 1992–93 season, and introduced dedicated qualification for European competitions, with the number of UEFA Champions League spots for English clubs increasing to four by the early 2000s and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup slot for the FA Cup winners until its discontinuation in 1999.^[3] The league reduced to 20 teams ahead of the 1995–96 season to alleviate player fatigue from 42-match schedules and align with expanded European fixtures, shortening campaigns to 38 games. Governance transitioned from the Football League, which had overseen the top tiers since 1888, to the independent Premier League entity from 1992 onward, though both remained under the overarching authority of the Football Association as the national governing body responsible for rule-making and regulatory compliance.^[7] This structure allowed the Premier League to negotiate its own commercial deals, including a pioneering £304 million television contract with Sky Sports for 1992–97, fundamentally altering the financial landscape of English football.^[16]

Champions by Season

Football League Era (1888–1992)

The Football League First Division, founded in 1888, represented the pinnacle of English professional football until its rebranding as the Premier League in 1992, spanning 104 seasons of competition marked by regional rivalries, tactical evolution, and periodic disruptions. Preston North End's inaugural 1888–89 campaign set a benchmark by securing an unbeaten "Double" with the FA Cup, establishing the league's prestige amid 12 founding clubs primarily from the industrial North. Over the decades, the division grew from 12 to 22 teams by 1950, fostering eras of dominance: Arsenal's five titles in the 1930s under Herbert Chapman, who pioneered the WM formation for balanced play and installed floodlights at Highbury to extend match times; Manchester United's youthful "Busby Babes" squad in the 1950s, blending flair with resilience under Matt Busby; and Liverpool's emerging dynasty from the 1970s, driven by Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, which laid the groundwork for 16 championships by 1992. These periods underscored football's role in national morale, though challenges like the 1930 fog-induced abandonment of Arsenal's match against Grimsby Town highlighted environmental vulnerabilities in pre-modern scheduling.^[17][18][19] Wartime interruptions profoundly affected the league's continuity. During World War I (1915–1919), official competitions ceased as players enlisted, replaced by unofficial Principal and Lancashire Section tournaments whose "winners" (e.g., Manchester City in 1914–15's partial season) receive no official recognition. World War II (1939–1946) similarly suspended the First Division, with regional leagues like the Football League North and South operating under guest players and reduced schedules; Arsenal and Chelsea topped these in 1945–46, a transitional year bridging the hiatus, but without awarding formal titles. Post-war resumption in 1946–47 emphasized rebuilding, as clubs like Liverpool reclaimed prominence. The 1980s brought further turmoil with the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster, where 39 fatalities during the European Cup final prompted a five-year UEFA ban on English clubs, redirecting energies toward domestic battles and contributing to Liverpool's sustained league success amid scrutiny. By era's end, Arsenal held 10 titles, reflecting a shift toward southern influence while northern powerhouses like Everton (9) and Sunderland (6) maintained historical depth.^[20][21][1] The following table chronicles all official First Division champions from 1888–89 to 1991–92, excluding wartime gaps. Tiebreakers evolved from goals scored (pre-1976) to goal difference thereafter. Notes highlight doubles, key innovations, or events; cumulative title tallies for champions are noted parenthetically upon win.

Premier League Era (1992–2025)

The Premier League was established for the 1992–93 season, rebranding the top tier of English football to capitalize on lucrative broadcasting deals and attract global investment, with Manchester United securing the first title under manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Over the subsequent 33 seasons through 2024–25, the competition has been dominated by a handful of clubs, reflecting intensified commercialization, the influx of international talent, and evolving governance structures. Seven teams have lifted the trophy, led by Manchester United with 13 victories, followed by Manchester City with 8, underscoring the concentration of success among elite, financially robust sides. A defining feature of this era has been the rise of foreign ownership, which accelerated with Roman Abramovich's £140 million acquisition of Chelsea in July 2003, enabling unprecedented spending on players and infrastructure that propelled the club to multiple titles and set a precedent for overseas billionaires reshaping the league's competitive landscape. Technological and regulatory changes have also marked the period: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology was introduced in the 2019–20 season to enhance officiating accuracy following club approval in 2018, while UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, effective from the 2011–12 season, alongside the Premier League's own Profit and Sustainability Rules starting in 2013, aimed to curb excessive losses and promote long-term financial health among clubs. These developments have coincided with iconic moments, such as Arsenal's unbeaten "Invincibles" campaign in 2003–04, Manchester United's historic Treble in 1998–99 (winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League), Leicester City's improbable 2015–16 victory as 5000-1 underdogs, and Manchester City's record-breaking 100-point haul in 2017–18. Diversity in management has been notable, with no England-born manager ever winning the Premier League; the earliest successes came from Scottish coaches, including Ferguson's 1992–93 triumph and Kenny Dalglish's 1994–95 title with Blackburn Rovers, the latter marking the only win by a non-"Big Six" club until Leicester's fairy-tale run. Liverpool's 2024–25 success under Dutch manager Arne Slot represented their second Premier League crown and 20th overall English top-flight title, clinched with a 5–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 27 April 2025. The 2025–26 season remains ongoing as of November 2025, with no champion yet determined. The following table summarizes the champions, runners-up, and third-placed teams for each season, including the winners' points total, goal difference, and key notes. Title tallies reflect cumulative Premier League wins after each season (overall English top-flight titles in parentheses where relevant for context).

Distribution of Titles

By Club

The English top-flight football championship, contested annually since 1888, has been overwhelmingly dominated by a handful of clubs, with just 24 teams securing all 126 titles awarded through the 2024–25 season. Manchester United and Liverpool share the record with 20 championships each, a tally Liverpool reached by clinching the 2024–25 Premier League title under manager Arne Slot, ending Manchester City's four-year reign. This concentration of success underscores the competitive imbalance in English football, where financial power, managerial legacies, and club infrastructure have propelled a "Big Six" group—Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur—to claim over 80% of titles since 1992, evolving from the earlier "Big Four" dominance in the late 20th century.^[1][22][23] The following table ranks all clubs by total top-flight titles won, excluding unofficial wartime championships from 1915–1919 and 1939–1946. Sheffield Wednesday's four titles were achieved as The Wednesday before a 1929 name change. No fully defunct clubs appear, though early winners like Preston North End represent the league's foundational era.^[1] Manchester United's haul reflects sustained excellence, particularly Ferguson's 13 titles that included the 1998–99 Treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League, cementing their global status. Liverpool's golden era in the 1970s–1980s yielded 11 titles amid a rivalry with United, but a 30-year wait for a 20th was bridged by Jürgen Klopp's 2019–20 triumph and Slot's 2024–25 success, highlighting resilience. Arsenal's 13 include the unprecedented unbeaten 2003–04 campaign, while Manchester City's recent surge under Guardiola—eight titles since 2012—has shifted power dynamics, challenging the traditional Big Four. Everton's nine titles, mostly early, contrast with their ongoing drought since 1987, emblematic of mid-table struggles despite Merseyside Derby intensity. Clubs with fewer titles often mark pivotal moments: Huddersfield Town's three straight in the 1920s set an early benchmark for consistency, while Portsmouth's back-to-back post-World War II wins in 1949–50 provided uplift in austerity. Nottingham Forest's solitary 1977–78 title under Clough preceded improbable European Cup triumphs, and Leicester City's 2015–16 victory remains a fairy-tale outlier against financial giants. Emerging challengers like Newcastle United, bolstered by 2021 ownership changes, have invested heavily but await a first title since 1927, signaling potential for broader competition. These lesser achievers illustrate how title droughts—such as Tottenham's since 1961 or Sunderland's since 1936—fuel narratives of underachievement amid the elite's stranglehold.^[1]

By Region

The distribution of English top-flight football titles by modern regions—defined by the post-1974 Government Office Regions—highlights a pronounced northern dominance, particularly in the North West, which has accounted for the majority of successes since the league's inception in 1888. This regional grouping provides a contemporary lens on title allocation, contrasting with historical county-based analyses by emphasizing current administrative boundaries that encompass multiple counties, such as Greater Manchester and Merseyside within the North West. As of the end of the 2024–25 season in May 2025, a total of 126 titles have been awarded, with the North West securing over half, underscoring its enduring hegemony driven by powerhouse clubs in industrial heartlands.^[1] The North West's preeminence is evident in its capture of approximately 52% of all titles, fueled by the collective achievements of Liverpool (20), Manchester United (20), Manchester City (10), Everton (9), Blackburn Rovers (3), Preston North End (2), and Burnley (2), reflecting the region's dense concentration of elite clubs and early industrial support for football. In contrast, the Midlands—split between West Midlands (11 titles from Aston Villa's 7, Wolverhampton Wanderers' 3, and West Bromwich Albion's 1) and East Midlands (4 from Nottingham Forest's 1, Derby County's 2, and Leicester City's 1)—have contributed steadily but modestly, often through sporadic surges like Aston Villa's late-19th-century run or Forest's 1977–78 win. Southern regions, including London, have shown marked underrepresentation before 1992, with only isolated breakthroughs amid northern and midlands control.^[1] Post-1992 Premier League era shifts have seen London clubs ascend, with Arsenal (13 total) and Chelsea (6) amassing 19 of their titles since rebranding, bolstered by global investment and urban appeal, though the North West maintained its lead through Manchester City's four consecutive triumphs from 2021 to 2024 and Liverpool's 2025 victory. Yorkshire and the Humber (11 titles, led by Sheffield Wednesday's 4 and shared by Huddersfield Town's 3 and Leeds United's 3) and the North East (10 from Sunderland's 6 and Newcastle United's 4) represent traditional northern strongholds, while the South East (2 from Portsmouth) and East of England (1 from Ipswich Town) remain peripheral, with no titles for the South West. This pattern persists into 2025, with the North West's total unchanged in relative dominance despite southern gains.^[1][24] A notable milestone in regional dynamics occurred in 1930–31 when Arsenal claimed the first title for a southern club (London), breaking the monopoly held by northern and midlands teams since 1888, though true southern expansion beyond London materialized later with Portsmouth's consecutive wins in 1948–49 and 1949–50 as the inaugural non-London southern success. These patterns, updated through Liverpool's 2025 triumph, affirm the North West's sustained leadership in modern regional terms.^[1]

By Historic County

The distribution of English top-flight football titles by historic county reflects the geographical spread of success since the league's inception in 1888, using pre-1974 county boundaries that predate modern administrative changes. These boundaries place clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool firmly in Lancashire, despite their current locations in [Greater Manchester](/page/Greater Manchester) and Merseyside following the 1974 local government reorganization. Out of England's 39 historic counties, only 13 have produced champions, accounting for all 126 official titles awarded through the 2024–25 season, with no representation from counties such as Cornwall, Devon, or Kent.^[25][1] Lancashire has overwhelmingly dominated, securing 66 titles through clubs like Preston North End, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, and Manchester City, particularly during the league's formative years from the 1880s to the 1920s when the county provided half of the inaugural 1888–89 season's clubs and won 28 of the first 50 titles. This era highlighted intense county rivalries, such as the East Lancashire derby between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley, which intensified competition among local sides and contributed to the region's early stranglehold on the league. Yorkshire followed with 11 titles from Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town, and Leeds United, peaking in the interwar period. Middlesex, encompassing London clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, amassed 21 titles, with Arsenal's streak in the 1930s marking a shift southward.^[1][26][27] Post-World War II, patterns evolved amid broader socioeconomic shifts, including industrial decline in northern counties like Lancashire and Yorkshire, leading to fewer titles from these areas after the 1970s as southern and midland clubs rose—exemplified by Chelsea's six titles since 1955 and Arsenal's continued success. Warwickshire's seven titles, all from Aston Villa, were concentrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while smaller counties like Suffolk (Ipswich Town's 1962 win) and Leicestershire (Leicester City's 2016 triumph) represent rare breakthroughs. During wartime interruptions—World War I (1915–19) and World War II (1939–46)—no official national champions were named; instead, regional leagues, including county-based groupings in areas like the North West and Midlands, provided alternative competitions to sustain the sport.^[28][29][1]

By City or Town

The distribution of English top-flight league titles by city or town highlights the concentration of success in major urban centers, with Manchester and Liverpool dominating due to the achievements of their multiple clubs. As of the end of the 2024–25 season in May 2025, a total of 126 titles have been awarded since the league's inception in 1888–89, excluding wartime interruptions. These titles are spread across 19 cities and towns, though the top three locations—Manchester, Liverpool, and London—account for 80 titles, or over 63% of the total. This urban focus reflects the historical development of professional football in industrialized areas with large populations and strong club infrastructures.^[1] The following table ranks cities and towns by the aggregate number of titles won by clubs based there, including notes on contributing clubs and key historical context: The top 10 cities and towns collectively hold 111 titles, representing approximately 88% of all championships, underscoring a pattern of dominance by larger urban areas with established football traditions. Manchester and Liverpool stand out as dual-title hubs, where intra-city competitions have directly impacted national honors; for instance, the 2011–12 Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium saw Manchester City defeat Manchester United 1–0, propelling City to their first [Premier League](/page/Premier League) title on goal difference. Similarly, Merseyside derbies have influenced Liverpool's title pursuits, such as the April 2025 clash where Liverpool's 1–0 win over Everton extended their lead en route to the 2024–25 championship.^[32][33][1] Smaller towns have occasionally disrupted this urban concentration, demonstrating football's capacity for underdog stories. Burnley's 1959–60 triumph, their first since 1920–21, came despite never leading the table until the final match, highlighting tactical innovation under manager Harry Potts. Ipswich Town's 1961–62 success, led by future England manager Alf Ramsey, marked the only top-flight title for the Suffolk club and propelled them into European competition. These victories from towns with populations under 100,000 at the time illustrate how localized talent and strategy could challenge metropolitan giants.^[1] Club relocations within or near cities have also shaped this distribution. Arsenal, originally founded as Woolwich Arsenal in southeast London in 1886 to serve workers at the Royal Arsenal factory, relocated to Highbury in north London in 1913 amid financial difficulties and to access better transport links, solidifying their place among the capital's elite. Likewise, Manchester United traces its origins to Newton Heath LYR Football Club, a works team in Manchester's Clayton district, which was reformed and renamed in 1902 after near-bankruptcy, maintaining the city's unbroken championship lineage. These migrations underscore how urban evolution and economic factors influenced the geographic spread of titles without altering core city affiliations.^[34][1]