The Top 20 Football Leagues in the World
Opta has released its Power Rankings for the top 20 football leagues worldwide, using a unique formula that calculates the average power ranking of every team in a given division. This method determines the relative strength of each league, leading to some surprising results.
Key Findings:
- The major European leagues dominate the top 10, with the English Championship making an appearance.
- The Saudi Pro League ranks only 33rd despite its influx of high-profile stars.
- Italy’s Serie B is ranked higher than the Saudi Pro League.
The ranking considers multiple factors, including competitiveness, financial strength, and continental success, making it one of the most comprehensive league evaluations available.
Top 20 Football Leagues by Opta’s Power Rankings
| Rank | League | Power Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Premier League | 87.9 |
| 2 | Italian Serie A | 86.2 |
| 3 | German Bundesliga | 86.2 |
| 4 | Spanish La Liga | 85.1 |
| 5 | French Ligue 1 | 85.1 |
| 6 | Brazilian Serie A | 80.8 |
| 7 | Portuguese Primeira Liga | 80.1 |
| 8 | Belgian Pro League | 79.2 |
| 9 | US Major League Soccer | 78.2 |
| 10 | English Championship | 77.6 |
| 11 | Liga Profesional Argentina | 77.5 |
| 12 | Danish Superligaen | 77.4 |
| 13 | Dutch Eredivisie | 77.3 |
| 14 | Liga MX (Mexico) | 77.6 |
| 15 | Czech First League | 76.5 |
| 16 | Polish Ekstraklasa | 76.4 |
| 17 | German 2. Bundesliga | 76.3 |
| 18 | Turkish Super Lig | 76.0 |
| 19 | Italian Serie B | 76.0 |
| 20 | Swiss Super League | 75.9 |
Notable Insights
- EPL Leads the Pack: The English Premier League takes the top spot, reinforcing its reputation as the world’s most competitive and star-studded league.
- Serie A and Bundesliga Tie for Second: Italy’s top flight edges ahead slightly, sharing the runner-up position with Germany’s Bundesliga.
- English Championship Breaks the Top 10: England’s second tier outperforms several first-division leagues worldwide, further proving its high level of competition.
- Saudi Pro League Misses Out: Despite its influx of superstar players, the Saudi Pro League ranks 33rd, far from the top 20.
- Surprising Second Divisions: Italy’s Serie B and Germany’s 2. Bundesliga cut, ranking higher than some top-tier leagues like Turkey’s Süper Lig.
Conclusion
Opta’s Power Rankings provide a detailed perspective on global football leagues, highlighting the strength and competitiveness of each division. While European leagues dominate, the growing impact of South American and North American competitions suggests a shift in the footballing landscape.
The rankings will likely evolve as leagues invest in talent and infrastructure, but for now, the English Premier League retains its crown as the world’s top football league.
