What are the best soccer leagues in the world?
In recent years, several leagues, especially in Europe, have gained much audience and attention from fans and the media.
Still, these leagues, which feature the best players and soccer clubs in the world, have generated so much buzz that pundits have had a hard time deciding which of these leagues are the best football leagues in the world.
Read on to find out if your favorite soccer league made our top-11 list.
World football, being one of the most followed sports in the world, generates excitement and heightened emotions, especially international tournaments.
When the international football scene no longer features any action, fans turn to soccer leagues in various countries.
Our ranking of the best soccer leagues in the world is based on TV views/popularity, the presence of top players, social media buzz generated from league games, and the success of clubs from these leagues in various continental tournaments.
Without further ado, let’s jump right into the count down.
Table of Contents
The Best Soccer Leagues in the World
11. Chinese Super League
You wouldn’t expect to find the Chinese league on this list, however, in recent years this league gained a lot of press mainly because they signed and offered big contracts to EU players to come play there. This created some interest and viewership to the league, obviously still not something that can compete with the big leagues, but it’s big enough to make this list.
- Viewership: Around 20 million ( *based on data found online, it’s hard to know for sure )
- Biggest stadium: Guangdong Olympic Stadium – seats 80,000
- Number of clubs: 16
10. Brasileirão
The top division of Brazilian domestic football boasts of vibrant soccer talents.
Brasileirão, a major contender for the title of the best soccer league in South America, features intense competition between various clubs. The league is the most-watched.
It is also the best domestic soccer league in South America with huge successful records in continental and international tournaments.
Brasileirão has the most club world cup wins and the second most Copa Libertadores titles.
The league has produced some of Europe’s best players, such as Neymar Jr., Alison Becker, and Roberto Firmino.
- Viewership: Around 1.5 million viewers each week.
- Biggest stadium: Estádio São Januário in Rio de Janeiro – seats 21,880
- Number of clubs: 20
9. Ligue 1
Ligue 1 actions are a testament to the incredible gameplay as well as the presence of world-class footballers in the league.
The French domestic league, which has been in existence since 1932, has seen various clubs emerge as dominants at multiple times.
Up to 1.6 million people watch a single Ligue 1 game featuring top clubs such as PSG. The league was rated the 7th best league in Europe by UEFA in 2019.
Top players such as Edinson Cavani, wonder boy Kylian Mbappe, and Angel Di Maria.
Viewership: Around 1.6 million viewers per game.
Biggest stadium: Stade de France – seats 81,338
Number of clubs: 20
8. Eredivisie – Netherlands
Home to one of the powerhouses in European football, the Dutch Eredivisie is the top tier football league of the Netherlands.
Founded in 1963, it has progressed to be one of the most popular leagues in Europe. Eredivisie was ranked the 9th best football league in Europe by UEFA in 2019.
In various continental tournaments, clubs that represent the Dutch Eredivisie are considered top contenders.
The major league in the Netherlands, this league is loved for its ability to produce really good young players and develop them into major stars.
The soccer league has produced some of Europe’s top players, such as Matthijs De Light, Frenkie De Jong, and Virgil Van Dijk.
As every soccer fan will know, a lot of major stars come from the Netherlands. While not the most popular in the world in terms of viewership, still enough to make our list.
- Viewership: A few million viewers each week.
- Biggest stadium: Johan Cruijff ArenaA – seats 56,600
- Number of clubs: 18
7. Bundesliga
Ranked as the fourth-best soccer league in Europe by UEFA in 2019, Bundesliga, the German domestic soccer league, is unarguably one of the toughest in Europe.
Bundesliga, which was founded in 1962, has 18 clubs playing in the league. It has the most average league attendance in the world.
Its clubs are also very successful at continental tournaments.
Bundesliga is home to top soccer talents such as Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski, and Frank Ribery.
- Viewership: Around 2 million viewers each game.
- Biggest stadium: Signal Iduna Park – seats 81,365
- Number of clubs: 18
6. Major League Soccer (MLS)
Established in 1993, Major League Soccer is the domestic soccer league of the United States of America.
Since the MLS had its first season in 1996, TV viewership has increased to about 2 million viewers watching a single game. In the media, MLS has been subject to constant attention.
That can be attributed to the arrival of top European stars to the league.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s long-range strike, 40 yards out, against Los Angeles FC in March 2018, placed the MLS in the limelight briefly.
MLS takes the 6th spot on our list of the best soccer leagues in the world.
- Viewership: Around 2 million viewers each game.
- Biggest stadium: GEODIS Park – seats 30,000
- Number of clubs: 28
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5. Primeira Liga
A domestic football league of Portugal, it is home to what is called Os Três Grandes (The Big Three), the three most powerful football clubs in Portugal.
These clubs, Porto, Benfica, and Sporting CP, are the top contender in various continental tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Primeira Liga houses some of Europe’s best soccer prospects, as the clubs are continually scouting for talented youngsters. Some of the best players in the world began their career in the Primeira Liga. Such players include Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva.
The Primeira Liga has also been the starting point for top football coaches, such as Jose Mourinho and Marco Silva. Primeira Liga comes in as no. 5 on our list of the world’s best soccer leagues.
- Viewership: Not known.
- Biggest stadium: Estadio Municipal de Aveiro – seats 32,830
- Number of clubs: 18
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4. Superliga Argentina
In South America, the best soccer league title is subject to debate between the Argentinian domestic football league and the Brazilian football league.
The league boasts of some of the most skillful players in South American local leagues.
In the South American continental club football tournament, the Copa Libertadores, the league boasts of the current champions, as well as the most successful winners in the history of the competition.
The league has been the breeding ground for some of the world’s best players, such as Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, and Sergio Aguero.
- Viewership: A few million people per game.
- Biggest stadium: Nuñez A – seats 67,000
- Number of clubs: 26
3. Serie A
Taking the 3th spot on our list of the best football leagues in the world is the Italian domestic football league, Serie A.
Since soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus, Serie A has received increased media attention. In his debut match for Juventus, about 2.3 million tuned in to watch the star work his magic.
The league, which was founded in 1898, was ranked the third-best league in Europe by UEFA in 2019.
Aside from Ronaldo, top footballers in Serie A include, Lorenzo Insigne, Paulo Dybala, and Gianluigi Buffon.
- Viewership: 6.7 million people per game.
- Biggest stadium: San Siro – seats 80,018
- Number of clubs: 20
2. La Liga
The Spanish domestic football league features some of the world’s best soccer clubs and is ranked the best soccer league in Europe by UEFA in its 2019 ranking.
The league had over 76 million viewers watch its games during the 2018/19 season.
La Liga features some of the most anticipated soccer games in the world, such as the El Clasico.
The league, which was founded in 1929, features 20 teams, and in continental and international tournaments, it is one of the most successful.
Clubs in La Liga have won the UEFA Champions League 18 times and FIFA Club World Cup seven times.
- Viewership: 6.7 million people per game.
- Biggest stadium: San Siro – seats 80,018
- Number of clubs: 20
1. Premier League
The English Premier League is by far the biggest, most powerful, and best soccer league in the world right now. Its matches are broadcasted in 212 countries and reach about 4.7 billion people.
According to UEFA’s 2019 league’s ranking, EPL has been ranked the second-best soccer league in Europe.
Premier League, which was founded in 1992, is the second soccer league with the most average attendance in the 2018/19 season.
Top players such as Mohamed Salah, Paul Pogba, and Harry Kane play in the EPL.
- Viewership: A few million people per game.
- Biggest stadium: Old Trafford – seats 90,000
- Number of clubs: 20
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Conclusion
What are your thoughts about this ranking of the best soccer leagues in the world?
Which soccer leagues do you think deserve a top spot on this list?
Please share it with us in the comments section below.
Chinese Super League probably should be in bottom part of top 10.
La Liga iS by far the most successful on earth. The English league doesn’t even come close.
Take a look at the Champions League and Europa League winners. The greatest players on earth have always played in la Primera division de España.
The English league is slightly better commercialised. Hence all the lying, as they have to try and retrieve the commercial interests. Very few Brits don’t recognise Real Madrid and Barcelona as the biggest clubs on earth by a long distance.
Cut the Malaki.
The EPL is the best by far
EPL is by far the best. They have several quality teams every season. La Liga has 2 teams, with a 3rd sometimes sneaking in as a quality club. The rest of the league is filled with MLS level players.
La Liga Mx is better than the MLS, but you are not ready to have this conversation…
There is no conversation. The Mexican league is far superior than the MLS.
Liga MX isn’t far superior to MLS anymore, but the CONCACAF Champions League results are clear. The top Liga MX teams remain ahead of their quickly improving MLS counterparts for now.
You are joking, right? During CONCACAF Champions League, mexcian teams are routinely beating MLS teams with scores over 3 goals. THAT, (in case you didn’t know) IS HUMILIATING. What kind of competitiveness is that? Seriously, last year, in semifinals, Monterrey F.C. beat Kansas City with a 5-2 score. WTF! Semifinals! These are supposedly 2 of the best 4 teams in the tournament. This same week, Tigres UANL mopped the floor with New York City 4-0 (overall 5-0!!!!) and that is supposedly a “dominant” team in MLS. I am sorry if this sounds disrespectful but Liga MX is far superior to even CONCACAF Champions League.
No mention of LAFC? Cherry picking lol.
As a league overall – top to bottom – the EPL is streets ahead of the competition. We’re talking about a league as a whole, not just a couple of elite clubs like we have in Spain. The question is clearly about which is the best league, Real & Barca are only 2 clubs..
Nah, EPL teams can’t perform well multiple seasons.
Premier League is all talk
You can only compare leagues when they come head to head
Europa and UEFA covers the top 6-7 clubs in the league.
La Liga is the best. EPL is all talk and commerce.
Serie A is Ronaldo’s league so I love it!
I think you’re right 6-7 clubs makes the league more interesting than just 2 or 3 top teams competing. But in my opinion La Liga has 3-4 top teams so its still a bit predictable. EPL is a given but the Serie A is second best for me which has just as much competitive clubs as the EPL namely Juventus, Inter Milan, Napoli, AC Milan, AS Roma, Lazio, Fiorentina, Atalanta and Sampdoria. Not ignoring the fact that Juventus has dominated Serie A for the past decade, this season looks to be very competitive with AC Milan leading the way with Inter and Napoli and Juventus not far off.
I also agree that the Mexican League is better than MLS. The Champions League is clear when the sides meet. Until that changes, there is no comparison. EPL is the best right now because there are eight or nine teams that could play in the Champions League and be competitive. It is also true that the bottom teams are better than the bottom teams in the other leagues. The other difference is that the English Championship is the best second division in the world. I would wonder where that would rank in the world rankings. I believe that they also may be better than the MLS.
The Belgian Jupiler League is in the top 10 of the Uefa ranking and has been in the top 10 Leagues of the world in recent years. At the level of the Eredivisie and certainly at a higher level than the MLS. All the top players of the national team of Belgium have started in the Jupiler League.
This list is clearly a joke when it starts with the MLS and not the LIGA MX.