While football has always been a global game, the development of social media has allowed teams to build their fan bases like never before. Fans from all across the world may now communicate with them online, no matter where they are. Premier League clubs, in particular, have become global franchises.
16-11
Including the likes of Crystal Palace and Leeds United
The first team on the list is newly promoted Leeds United, who are 16th with 6.4 million followers across all social media channels. The club spent the previous two seasons in the Championship, but now that they are back in the top flight, its fan base could expand even further in the future. Crystal Palace and Southampton are only ahead of them, with 7.6 million and 7.9 million, respectively.
The remaining three sides in this section are Palace’s rivals Brighton & Hove Albion (9.7 million), Wolverhampton Wanderers (12 million), and Everton (14.5 million). However, of the six teams in this area, Palace has had the greatest gain in their fan base over the last year. The Eagles won their first major prize, the FA Cup, in May 2025, and their social media following has grown by 15% in the past year.
10-6 Tottenham Hotspur are featured here.
Newcastle United is the first team to break into the top 10. This season, both the Magpies and Palace won silverware. Eddie Howe’s side won the Carabao Cup, breaking a decades-long trophy drought. The club has grown from strength to strength since Mike Ashley sold it to the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and they now have 17.2 million followers across all social media platforms. They aren’t the only squad to have made big improvements in recent years and gained a sizable fan base as a result.
Unai Emery has revolutionized Aston Villa, and the club is now firmly entrenched among the Premier League’s best teams. They competed in the Champions League last season and will play in the Europa League next season. It’s a far cry from the Championship troubles of a few seasons ago.
They have 18.8 million followers on all social media platforms, with West Ham United (19.1 million) just ahead of them. The former’s following has increased by 13.2% in the last year, while the latter’s has grown by only 4.9%. As a result, it wouldn’t be unexpected if Villa surpassed their fellow claret and blue-clad opponents in the future.
The remaining two teams just outside the top five are Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Despite being relegated to the Championship, the Foxes have 24.5 million followers across all social media platforms, while Spurs (108.1 million) are only 6 million short of making the top five.
Manchester United leads 5-1.
Arsenal are the first team in the top five. Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League three times in a row and have not won the title since 2004. They’re also the only team in the top five to have never won the Champions League. As a result, it’s hardly surprising that the Gunners rank sixth with 114.1 million followers across all platforms.
There is a significant gap between fourth place and London rivals Chelsea, who have a total of 152.9 million social media followers. The Blues have won two Champions League medals in the last 15 years, and their football status has grown tremendously in the twenty-first century. Chelsea has won five Premier League titles and is now one of the biggest clubs in the world, not just in England.
Liverpool, however, is more than 14 metres ahead of them. Following a time of hardship, Jurgen Klopp rebuilt the Reds back into one of England’s top teams. The Germans revived the team, leading them back to the Champions League trophy and their first Premier League triumph. His departure threatened to ruin everything they’d accomplished, but Arne Slot came in and propelled them to the pinnacle of English football. They are one of the most decorated football teams in the country, with 166.7 million followers across all social media platforms, ranking third in England.
Surprisingly, Manchester City ranks one position higher than Liverpool, with 179.5 million social media followers. Pep Guardiola’s squad became one of the most dominant sides in English football history once the former Barcelona manager arrived, and their success has propelled them to the top of the country’s popularity rankings. They have a long way to go before catching up with their local competitors, however. Manchester United, despite their recent troubles, is by far the most popular team in England, with 233.6 million social media followers.
The Red Devils are coming off their worst Premier League season yet, finishing 15th in the table, but fans are still flocking to follow them on social media. In reality, they are the world’s third-most popular team, trailing only Real Madrid (473.7 million) and Barcelona (427.4 million), and there is no shame in that.
The 16 most popular English football teams.
Rank
Team
Number of followers across all social media platforms
1
Manchester United
233.6m
2
Manchester City
179.5m
3
Liverpool
166.7m
4
Chelsea
152.9m
5
Arsenal
114.1m
6
Tottenham
108.1m
7
Leicester City
24.5m
8
West Ham United
19.1m
9
Aston Villa
18.8m
10
Newcastle United
17.2m
11
Everton
14.5m
12
Wolverhampton Wanderers
12m
13
Brighton and Hove Albion
9.7m
14
Southampton
7.9m
15
Crystal Palace
7.6m
16
Leeds United
6.4m
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