Which teams have won the Premier League the most times?

The Premier League replaced the old English First Division, which was founded in 1888 and ran until 1992. Leeds United were the last club to win it before the competition was took on its new persona. The club with the most First Division titles, i.e. before its rebranding, is Liverpool, who have 18, they are followed by Arsenal on 10 and Everton on nine with Manchester United and Aston Villa both on seven.

United dominate the Premier League era

Since the old English First Division became the Premier League in 1992, seven different clubs have lifted the trophy during the past 29 years. The first club to win the rebranded Premier League was Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United who won the inaugural, 22-team competition in 1993 with two games to go, finishing the season 10 points clear of nearest rivals Aston Villa.

Fergie’s United successfully defended the trophy, ending six points clear of Blackburn Rovers, who pipped the reigning champions to the title the following year on a gripping final day in spite of losing to Liverpool at Anfield.

United were back on the podium with back-to-back titles in 1995-6 and 1996-7 before Arsenal became the third club to win the Premier League in 1998, the first of their three titles – once again it was a close finish, United missed out by just one point like they had three years earlier.

United underlined their dominance in the domestic league by winning it for the next three seasons in a row. By the time the Premier League was 10 years old, United had won it seven times.

Their dominance would last another decade. United’s last Premier League triumph was in 2013 - their 20th league title, in Ferguson’s final season as manager.

Their neighbours Manchester City have taken over where they left off, having toasted eight titles since their first in 2011-2-12. Along with everyone else, the current title holders have a long way to catch up with United who is the club to have won the most Premier League titles with 13, as well as the the club with the most league titles overall (including titles from the First Division era) with 20.

English top flight winners

In the graphic below you can see how the title winners have evolved over the years ever since the English league structure was formed. United also lead the way, on 20 title, with Liverpool just one behind.

The 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off on Friday 16 August with Manchester United hosting Fulham at Old Trafford in the opening game.

The bulk of the action, as always, takes place on Saturday which continues with Liverpool starting their campaign under new manager Arne Slot with the midday kick-off slot, away at Ipswich. Last season’s runners-up Arsenal start off at home against Wolves and Aston Villa complete the day’s program as guests of West Ham.

Champions Manchester City begin their defence of the title at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s team will be looking to clinch the title for a fifth consecutive time - a feat no club has ever achieved.