If England is referred to by many as the capital for soccer, then London is the epicenter. Many greats have indeed hailed from the city, and they take their soccer a little bit more seriously than most.
Some cities around the world are lucky to have one soccer team that can compete for championships. In London, many fans pick their favorite team based on what side of town they live on.
There are several who have had success in the past, and some are in position every single year to win major titles. This is a closer look at soccer in London, examining the pro teams representing their section of the city every match.
How many soccer teams are from London? There are 12 professional soccer teams in London. 7 London teams play in the Premier League, 2 play in the Championship, and 4 teams play in League Two. The most famous teams from London include Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, and Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Here are all the pro teams from London:
- Chelsea FC
- Arsenal FC
- Tottenham Hotspur FC
- West Ham United FC
- Crystal Palace FC
- Brentford FC
- Fulham FC
- Queens Park Rangers FC
- Millwall FC
- Lleyton Orient FC
- AFC Wimbledon
- Sutton United FC
The Big Three
Three clubs in London are considered a step above the rest at this point in time. These three have not always been dominated, but recent spending certainly shows who the strongest contenders are.
These teams are virtual locks to stay in the Premier League every year, and they figure to be EPL and Champions League contenders.
1. Chelsea FC
- Premier League Titles: 6
Playing their home matches in Stamford Bridge, Chelsea is the only London team to ever take home the Champions League trophy. They are consistently one of the best clubs in England, and the six league titles certainly show that.
They don’t have quite the same history as some of the other big teams in the English Premier League, but they’ve made up for it over the years.
Chelsea FC are always spending money to ensure that they have a competitive squad, and some of the top names in the game have come through. They have a long-standing rivalry with the other two to make this list in the big three section.
2. Arsenal FC
- Premier League Titles: 13
Arsenal Football Club was founded in 1886, and the Gunners have been a legitimate contender for several years. They are always in the Premier League, and they have a total of 13 league titles to their name.
They currently have the longest streak in the top division, dating back to 1913. Although they might not be the most dominant club in the English Premier League, they almost always contend. They also have one of the most loyal fanbases in the game.
3. Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Premier League Titles: 2
Known for contending but not actually winning consistently, Tottenham Hotspur has had some success over the years. To date, they have just two league titles, but eight FA Cups. They also have a pair of UEFA Cups, and finished as runner-ups in the 2019 UEFA Champions League.
Their distinctive logo with a cockatoo standing on a football is known just about everywhere. They don’t have quite the budget of the best of the best in English Premier League soccer, but they still always seem to do a great job of competing.
Other Premier League Contenders From London
Since the English Premier League names are always changing, the teams here are coming and going from time to time. It’s hard to consistently stay in the top-flight league in England, as just one down year can trigger regulation. These teams don’t spend as much as the big three, and the results on the pitch show it.
4. West Ham United FC
- Premier League Titles: 0
Some people are surprised to see that the biggest home stadium for any London team is where West Ham United plays. London stadium seats 66,000, and when they are playing big matches in the top division, they can sell things out.
Currently in the Premier League, they have dropped out times. They are hoping that moving forward, they have an opportunity to be a consistent club willing to stave off relegation. Competing for some cups could also get them closer to the big three in the city.
5. Crystal Palace FC
- Premier League Titles: 0
Just a few years ago, some wondered if Crystal Palace would ever return to the highest level of soccer in England.
They had a lot of financial troubles at the beginning of the century, but they were able to put everything back together and returned to the Premier League in 2013. They’ve been there ever since, and have turned into a pretty consistent club capable of competing with anyone in Europe.
Located in south-central London, Crystal Palace has a smaller fanbase than other teams this size. However, they are still very passionate about supporting their favorite club.
6. Brentford FC
- Premier League Titles: 0
It’s pretty hard to imagine these days that Brentford was in the fourth tier in England as recently as 1998. They made it up to League Two in 2008, and then League One in 2013. All that hard work led to winning the 2021 Championship Final, and getting back into the top level of English soccer for the first time since 1947.
They are put in this section because of their recent string of success. Maybe they won’t have a particularly long stint in the Premier League, but just getting there has certainly shown that they are re-dedicated to being competitive again. More than likely, they will play spoilers in the EPL for the time being.
7. Fulham FC
- Premier League Titles: 0
Fulham currently sits in the Championship, which is the second tier in English soccer. The oldest professional club in London has been going for 142 years, but this is certainly not them at their best.
They have a total of 27 seasons playing in the country’s top division. Rivalries with Chelsea and Queens Park have kept them pretty relevant as well. They definitely have work to do right now, but Fulham’s historical significance in the city is always present.
8. Queens Park Rangers FC
- Premier League Titles: 0
Fans of the Queens Park Rangers are optimistic that their current stint in the EFL Championship will be short-lived. They have been contenders in the Premier League recently, but are hoping to build on their success sooner rather than later.
They believe that they can easily be one of the top teams in London every year, and with a little bit more financial backing, they might have the players necessary.
9. Millwall FC
- Premier League Titles: 0
The final team in this tier of London clubs is Millwall FC. They are another club that’s been around forever, founded in 1885. They no longer play in the Milwall area, but the name lives on for the club. They’ve spent almost their entire existence as a second or third-tier team, and they have jumped up to the top occasionally.
Their stadium and financial backing are good enough to have success at the Premier League level if they make it up there again. They have been a fairly strong contender in the EFL Championship since their arrival.
Less Successful Pro Teams From London
- 10. Lleyton Orient FC
- 11. AFC Wimbledon
- 12. Sutton United FC
There are other professional soccer clubs in London not competing consistently for a spot in the EPL. Maybe eventually they will have a magnificent run and move up in the ranks, but it seems unlikely due to their budget. That’s not to say that soccer is terrible at this level, but they are always fighting an uphill battle.
Clubs like Lleyton Orient, AFC Wimbledon, and Sutton United are all clubs with some success and a pretty solid fan base. They might not be household names with players everyone is familiar with, but they get the job done locally.
The beauty of soccer in England is that any team can make it to the top-tier if they produce on the field. Not only that, but even the most talented and richest squads can fall to an underdog. It’s not impossible for any of these clubs to gain respect, but finding sustained success means making smart financial moves and going after players with limited resources.
Why Pro Soccer in London Matters
Teams in northern England have traditionally had a bit more success, but the heart of the EPL is in London. At times, there has been as many as 40% of the teams in the EPL from London, making it a stable for quality talent.
What makes London soccer so unique is that every part of the city has a local team. Some have obviously had more success than others, but every team could theoretically make the top division if they have the right players and invest the right amount of money.
Soccer fans who make the trek to London will have more than a few opportunities to watch soccer multiple times a week in season.
They have always done a great job of staggering the schedules so that at least one of the top teams plays at home. All sorts of Derbys in the city make it a bit more enjoyable as well when teams go at it.
