Biggest Football Leagues in the World 2023 - Top 10 Ranked
by Maivizhi A | Updated Mar 27, 2023
Biggest Football Leagues in the World 2023
Professional soccer leagues can be found in every corner of the globe, but the top players typically flock to specific countries. The clubs with the biggest budgets are often able to lure the best players, but historical significance can also factor into a player's decision. What is the world's top football league? We won't just give you the first, but also provide you with the latest ranking of the top 10 best football leagues in the world as of 2023.
Football is a highly competitive sport globally, played in every country on the planet. At the end of each season, leagues in each country are composed of a set number of teams that compete against each other to achieve their goals. However, when it comes to determining the world's top soccer leagues, there are numerous factors to consider.
Given that football is a commercial sport, it provides an excellent spectacle for both fans and players. With the sport being a lucrative activity, many of the wealthiest football clubs are aware of the importance that their fans place on them.
Top 10 Football Leagues in the World 2023
To determine the best football leagues in the world, factors such as popularity, competitiveness, value, accomplishments, turnover, and other significant factors are taken into account, which every football fan would agree are important considerations. For more information, keep reading.
S.No
Football Leagues
1
Premier League
2
La Liga
3
Serie A
4
Bundesliga
5
Ligue 1
6
Eredivisie
7
Brazilierio Serie A
8
Portuguese Liga
9
Russian Premier League
10
Championship (English second league)
Let us look through each league in detail.
1. Premier League
Despite attempts by several leagues to imitate what the Premier League offers, it remains the most outstanding soccer league globally. It boasts of intense competition from the bottom to the top, a handful of teams capable of competing with anyone worldwide, and an enthusiastic fan base that sustains the league's vibrancy.
Although England faces challenges in nurturing local talent, the Premier League's capacity to recruit players from other nations sustains its strength. Every year, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal pose a significant threat in the Champions League.
2. La Liga
When La Liga comes to mind, the first teams people typically associate with the league are Barcelona and Real Madrid. These two clubs undeniably possess the history, star players, fan bases, and finances to compete with any team worldwide. Nonetheless, one fairly new team in Spain has helped solidify the league as the second-best in the world.
Atletico Madrid is the only other team apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid to have won La Liga since 2005. They have remained a strong contender domestically and in international competitions in recent years. Although they haven't claimed a Champions League title yet, they have finished as runners-up twice.
While Spain may not have the same depth as the English Premier League, they hold the record for the most Champions League titles with 18. As long as the teams with financial means continue to secure top-tier players, La Liga appears to be firmly established in second place.
3. Serie A
Serie A's ranking in third place may come as a surprise to some, but the league has made considerable strides lately in acquiring star players and achieving competitive balance. Ronaldo is the standout player, but the league received a significant boost when Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed with AC Milan. Although both players are approaching the end of their careers, their presence in two of the top teams in the league contributes to its worldwide recognition.
Traditionally, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus have been the top three teams in Serie A. However, Napoli, Roma, and Atalanta have demonstrated their ability to compete domestically. Although they still have some ground to cover to challenge the two higher-ranked leagues, Serie A is continuously making progress.
4. Bundesliga
Although not the most fiercely contested league globally, the Bundesliga boasts one of the world's most successful clubs in Bayern Munich. The team has clinched every German championship since 2013 and has also performed admirably against the top teams in Europe.
However, Bayern Munich's dominance has caused some frustration within the league. As the league transforms into a competition for second place, many are hoping that a few teams will begin to challenge the status quo.
Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg are two teams in the best position to mount a challenge, but Bayern Munich remains a dominant force in the league. Displacing them over the entire season will require a tremendous effort.
5. Ligue 1
Similar to many other leagues, Ligue 1 is also dominated by a single team. Although Paris Saint-Germain is a club that can compete with any other team, there is currently a lack of real depth in France. While fans will undoubtedly tune in to watch players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, most soccer enthusiasts only watch them play in the Ligue 1 when it's time for the Champions League.
For Ligue 1 to move up the rankings, other teams need to step up to challenge PSG. Perhaps this will happen eventually, but progress seems to be moving at a sluggish pace presently.
6. Eredivisie
Beyond the top five leagues, the overall level of play significantly declines. While there are undoubtedly good players and teams dispersed throughout the other leagues, it simply does not compare to the top five. The Dutch league, however, comes the closest, with a handful of clubs that can make an impact outside of the Netherlands.
Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord Rotterdam are the three teams that amass the most talent and deliver the best results in the league. The challenge, however, is attracting players from outside the Netherlands, as most of the top players prefer to compete in more established leagues.
7. Brazilierio Serie A
The most prominent non-European league is located in Brazil. Although it is a relatively new league, many teams struggle financially to retain top-quality players. Consequently, teams often consist of older players past their prime and younger players still honing their skills and discovering their potential.
Despite these challenges, the league remains thrilling and garners support throughout South America. If the league can find a way to retain the best Brazilian players, it could eventually contend with one of the top ten leagues on the list.
8. Portuguese Liga
In Portugal, the domestic league is controlled by a small number of teams, unlike in most other countries. Throughout their history, FC Porto, Sporting CP, and Benfica have won all but two titles, indicating their domination. However, their success against other European clubs has helped them secure a relatively high position in the rankings.
9. Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League, having been established only 20 years ago, has managed to rank relatively high on the list despite being composed mainly of Russian players. Among the league's top clubs are CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg, with each holding six titles to their name. They aim to showcase their capabilities against other European teams. It wouldn't be surprising if the league moves up the rankings in the near future.
10. Championship (English second league)
Although the Premier League in England is highly competitive, other leagues in England also showcase quality soccer. The second league is composed of teams that have recently been relegated from the Premier League, which is enough to rank it in the top 10 leagues globally.
One of the major factors that contribute to the league's competitiveness is the significant investment of money in these clubs. Teams are willing to take risks and push themselves to the limit to secure a Premier League spot.
Which Football League is the Best in the World?
Every Football fan would know the fact that the Premier Leage is the Best football league in the world. Here are the reasons why the Premier League is the best.
Football Leagues
The world's top football leagues in 2023 are the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Brazilierio Serie A, Portuguese Liga, Russian Premier League, and the Championship. While each league has its own strengths and weaknesses, the rankings are based on factors such as popularity, competitiveness, value, accomplishments, turnover, and other significant considerations. While the Premier League maintains its top spot due to intense competition, top players, and a passionate fan base, other leagues such as La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga have demonstrated significant progress and competitiveness, with the Eredivisie standing out as the most competitive of the lower-ranked leagues. Overall, the top ten football leagues in the world continue to offer excellent entertainment to fans and attract top-tier talent to compete at the highest levels.
Biggest Football Leagues in the World 2023 - FAQs
The Premier League is currently considered the world's top football league in 2023.
Factors such as popularity, competitiveness, value, accomplishments, turnover, and other significant factors are taken into account while ranking the top 10 football leagues in the world.
Bayern Munich is the most successful team in the Bundesliga, having clinched every German championship since 2013 and performing well against the top teams in Europe.
Serie A has made considerable strides lately in acquiring star players and achieving competitive balance. The presence of standout players such as Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in two of the top teams in the league contributes to its worldwide recognition.
Atletico Madrid is the only other team apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid to have won La Liga since 2005.