An overview
Because of stressors, supporting your Premier League club can cause you to age up to two years faster in a single season.
For a variety of reasons, some teams—like Manchester United and Aston Villa—are the most difficult to support.
The stress levels of various Premier League fanbases vary, ranging from environmental factors to lack of sleep.
Football is an emotional rollercoaster as much as a game. One day you’re celebrating a spectacular victory, and the next you’re feeling hopeless following a devastating loss. Did you know, however, that the pressure of rooting for your Premier League side may be causing you to age?
A study conducted on behalf of Tipman Tips and headed by ageing and hormone specialist Dr. Sadia Saeed found that certain fans may age by up to two years during a single campaign. The study examined ten common stress-related factors, divided into five categories: environmental impact, travel demands, sleep deprivation, stress triggers, and the all-too-familiar “late limbs” factor (yes, those last-minute goals that ruin your weekend), for each of the 20 Premier League clubs participating in the 2024–25 season.
The findings for the top 10 most difficult teams to support this season have officially been made public. Each club received a total score out of 100 based on these characteristics. Some of the results will undoubtedly startle you.
10Leicester City
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.4 years
Supporting Leicester City was an unanticipated boon not so long ago. Under Claudio Ranieri, they became one of the greatest teams in the history of the Premier League in the 2015–16 season, defeating 5000/1 odds to win the league. Then, in 2021, a few years later, Brendan Rodgers led them to their first FA Cup victory.
However, the Foxes haven’t had a good run in recent years. A precipitous descent began with the fatal helicopter crash that killed chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Leicester appeared bound for the drop zone from the start of the 2024–25 season, and regrettably, that is exactly where they ended up. The departure of club legend Jamie Vardy only served to exacerbate the situation for the King Power supporters, serving as a final reminder that their heyday is essentially simply a treasured memory.
Score for stress factor (out of 25)
A score of 25 for the lack of sleep aspect
Score for the travel factor (out of 15)
Score for the environmental component (out of 15)
Score for the “Late limbs” factor (out of 20)
Ageing score overall (out of 100)
Years added to appearances owing to the 2024–2025 season, estimated
City of Leicester
2.3
17.1
7.8
8.7
13.3
49.2
1.4 years
9Manchester United
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.4 years
The majority of Manchester United supporters were unaware of what it was like to cheer for a struggling team before to 2013. They were hoarding trophies as if the end of the world were imminent under Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign of silver-lined dread. The renowned manager famously said that he had removed Liverpool from their “f***ing perch” and that Manchester City would never overthrow them as the city’s rulers. Ryan Giggs even went so far as to say that United would never regress to the former levels attained by Liverpool.
But apocalypse has arrived, first gradually and then suddenly. And Liverpool regained their position as the most successful club in English football this season, fulfilling the apocalyptic prophecy. In the meantime, United has suffered through its worst Premier League season ever, reaching new heights they never imagined. Only two other fan bases have had greater sleep loss, according to the statistics, demonstrating that the Theatre of Dreams has become a location that many people find difficult to escape, even with the greatest dream catchers available.
Score for stress factor (out of 25)
A score of 25 for the lack of sleep aspect
Score for the travel factor (out of 15)
Score for the environmental component (out of 15)
Score for the “Late limbs” factor (out of 20)
Ageing score overall (out of 100)
Years added to appearances owing to the 2024–2025 season, estimated
United Manchester
4.5
19.9
9.7
8.6
6.7
49.4
1.4 years
8Chelsea
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.4 years
Expectations are still quite high for Chelsea to return to their opulent Roman Abramovich heyday because they firmly believe that money can buy happiness. Three of their previous six transfer windows under Todd Boehly’s new management have been among the most costly in football history.
But the Blues have had trouble returning to the Champions League as regulars despite their spending binge. Five years have passed since they won a trophy, and during that time they suffered three heartbreaking final losses to Liverpool. Chelsea is a fallen behemoth, once feared, now struggling, much like Manchester United. Fans at Stamford Bridge are growing more irate and anxious as their demands for a return to the top of English football go unmet, despite the fact that their low environmental factor score indicates that their home can serve as a decent place to escape.
Score for stress factor (out of 25)
A score of 25 for the lack of sleep aspect
Score for the travel factor (out of 15)
Score for the environmental component (out of 15)
Score for the “Late limbs” factor (out of 20)
Ageing score overall (out of 100)
Years added to appearances owing to the 2024–2025 season, estimated
Chelsea
4.1
20.7
8.2
4.4
13.3
50.7
1.4 years
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