Football

AI Ranks Premier League Clubs by Size: From Smallest to Biggest in 2025/26

The Premier League is the most competitive and most-watched football league in the world, with clubs that vary massively in size, history, and global pull. Some teams have trophy cabinets overflowing with silverware and fanbases that stretch across continents, while others are far smaller operations that rely on clever recruitment and passionate local support to stay in the division.
This ranking, powered by AI, looks at every club from top to bottom for the 2025/26 season, factoring in key elements such as revenue, global fanbase, historical trophies, cultural significance, and stadium size. The result is a fascinating look at just how big each club truly is — and for some, the results might be controversial.

20 – Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth
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Bournemouth remain the smallest club in the Premier League, despite their rise under Andoni Iraola. The Cherries have the smallest stadium in the league, which limits both their matchday revenue and their reach compared to their rivals. With no major trophies and only a modest following outside the south coast, their low ranking is hardly surprising — but their on-pitch achievements keep them punching above their weight.

19 – Brentford

Brentford
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Brentford are admired for their data-driven approach and clever recruitment model, which has allowed them to survive comfortably in the Premier League. However, they still operate with one of the smallest budgets in the league and play in a relatively small stadium. The departure of Thomas Frank has created uncertainty, and their lack of historic honours and global appeal keeps them near the bottom of this ranking.

18 – Fulham

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Fulham have established themselves as a regular Premier League outfit again, which is an achievement in itself after years of yo-yoing between divisions. Craven Cottage is one of the most iconic stadiums in the country, adding to their cultural value, but the club has very few major honours to its name. While Fulham have a passionate core fanbase, their global reach remains limited compared to their London rivals.

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17 – Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton
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Brighton are one of the league’s most exciting modern projects, playing some of the most attractive football in England and recruiting smartly on a limited budget. Yet, historically, they are a smaller club with no league titles or major honours to speak of. Their fanbase is growing quickly thanks to recent success, but they still have a long way to go before being considered one of the league’s bigger names.

16 – Crystal Palace

crystal palce
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Crystal Palace are a club with a fiercely loyal and vocal fanbase, making Selhurst Park one of the most atmospheric grounds in the league. Their recent FA Cup victory was a special moment, but their history overall is relatively modest, and they’ve never been consistent challengers at the top level. Palace’s ranking reflects a club that is beloved locally but lacks the global pull of many others.

15 – Burnley

Burnley
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Burnley may be one of the smaller clubs in the Premier League today, but they have a proud and storied history, including two top-flight league titles. Their promotion back to the Premier League was another achievement that shows their resilience as a club. While their fanbase is limited and their stadium is small, their tradition and legacy earn them a respectable mid-table spot in this ranking.

14 – Wolverhampton Wanderers

wolves
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Wolves are one of the classic names of English football, having enjoyed plenty of success in the 1950s and 1960s. They have built themselves back up into a steady Premier League side with an ambitious ownership and a competitive squad. Despite this, their fanbase remains more regional than global, which holds them back from climbing even higher.

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13 – Leeds United

leeds
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Leeds United are one of the most passionate and historically significant clubs in England, with a fanbase that is renowned for its loyalty. After years in the lower divisions, their return to the top flight has reignited Elland Road and put them back in the conversation among big English clubs. Leeds’ size, history, and support keep them near the upper half of this list even without consistent European football.

12 – West Ham United

West Ham
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West Ham are one of London’s most iconic clubs, with a deep cultural significance that extends beyond football thanks to their ties to the East End. Their recent European success and regular finishes in the top half have strengthened their reputation as a proper top-flight force. The move to the London Stadium has increased their capacity and boosted their matchday revenue, helping them stay competitive.

11 – Newcastle United

Newcastle United
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Newcastle United are one of the most passionately supported clubs in England, with St James’ Park regularly packed to the rafters. Their recent resurgence has brought European football back to Tyneside and re-established them as one of the country’s top teams. Despite their incredible local support, their lack of major silverware in recent decades and relatively modest global fanbase keeps them just outside the top 10.

10 – Sunderland

Sunderland
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Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has brought fresh excitement to the Stadium of Light. Their six top-flight titles and two FA Cups give them historical weight that few outside the top clubs can match. While their global fanbase is limited, their fierce rivalry with Newcastle and proud tradition help them break into the top 10 of this ranking.

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9 – Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest remain one of the most historically important clubs in England thanks to their back-to-back European Cup triumphs under Brian Clough. After decades away from the top flight, they are now back and building a competitive side capable of challenging for Europe. Their relatively small stadium and fanbase prevent them from ranking higher, but their trophy cabinet speaks for itself.

8 – Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham are considered part of the “Big Six,” and for good reason. They boast a world-class stadium, one of the largest global fanbases in England, and a squad with enormous potential. However, their lack of league titles in the modern era means they rank lower than their rivals despite winning the Europa League last season.

7 – Everton

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Everton are one of the most storied clubs in English football history, with nine league titles and five FA Cups. Their loyal fanbase has stuck with them through difficult years, and the move to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium promises a bright future. The club’s long-standing presence in the top flight cements them as one of the biggest names in English football.

6 – Aston Villa

Aston Villa
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Aston Villa have transformed under Unai Emery, becoming a regular contender for European places and even competing in the Champions League. With seven league titles and a European Cup to their name, they are one of England’s most decorated clubs historically. While their global fanbase is smaller than the top five, Villa’s tradition and recent success make them one of the league’s biggest clubs once again.

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5 – Manchester City

Manchester City
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Manchester City’s dominance over the past decade has made them one of the most successful clubs of the modern era. They have won seven Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola, including a historic treble, but their global fanbase is still catching up to the likes of United, Liverpool, and Arsenal. If they continue their run of success, their place in the top three may soon be inevitable.

4 – Chelsea

Chelsea
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Chelsea’s modern era has been defined by success, winning five Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies since 2004. Their international fanbase is one of the largest in the world, though their stadium remains one of the smaller ones among the elite clubs. Under Enzo Maresca, they look ready to compete at the very top again, and any future stadium expansion could push them even higher.

3 – Arsenal

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Arsenal’s history is among the richest in English football, with 13 league titles and a record 14 FA Cups. Their global fanbase is massive, with particular strength in Africa and Asia, and the Emirates Stadium is one of the best in the country. Mikel Arteta has turned them back into title contenders, and another league crown could solidify their spot in the top three for years to come.

2 – Liverpool

Liverpool FC
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Liverpool are one of the most decorated clubs in the world, with 20 league titles, six European Cups, and countless domestic trophies. Under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, they have reasserted themselves as one of the top teams in Europe and have a fanbase that spans every continent. They fall just short of first place, mainly due to stadium size and slightly smaller global following than Manchester United.

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1 – Manchester United

Manchester United
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Manchester United remain the biggest club in England, even after more than a decade without a league title. Their trophy cabinet — featuring 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, and three Champions League wins — is unmatched, and their global fanbase dwarfs every other club in the league. Old Trafford may be ageing, but its size and history make it an iconic home for the most recognizable team in English football.

Oliver Obel

Oliver Obel – Sports Content Creator & Football Specialist I’m a passionate Sports Content Creator with a strong focus on football. I write for LenteDesportiva, where I produce high-quality content that informs, entertains, and connects with football fans around the world. My work revolves around player rankings, transfer analysis, and in-depth features that explore the modern game. I combine a sharp editorial instinct with a deep understanding of football’s evolution, always aiming to deliver content that captures both insight and emotion.