Best League in the World: Top 10 Football Leagues - 2025 (Ranked)

Football leagues have continued to shape the future of world football by delivering thrilling derby matches, showcasing passionate fan bases, and providing entertainment. Football leagues have also provided the world with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and many more. We have ranked the top 10 leagues in the world based on their quality, popularity, financial prowess and more. Let’s take a look at the elite list of the top 10 football leagues in the world in 2025, and let’s see which one is the top football league in the world.

The methodology we used to rank the best league in the world includes key factors such as financial power, broadcast revenue and global reach, Average Attendance, and Competitiveness of the league. At Sportsdunia, we ensure that our rankings are based solely on genuine ranking factors, rather than casual discussions. Let’s have a look at the list of best league in the world.

List of Best Football Leagues in the World

Below we analyze the meritorious performances of various leagues around the world in propagating the beautiful game through their medium. The leagues have been ranked according to the various ranking factors mentioned, giving an accurate depiction of the current top Leagues in world football.

Note: Revenues of leagues are estimates, calculated from the last reported data. TV Revenue shows the lump sum amount a league gets at the time of contract and is not financial year or season specific.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Football Leagues in the World 2025?

Football has been labelled as a spectator sport wherein the atmosphere around the stadium dictates the tempo of the match to a certain extent. Now, this involvement and reaction of the fans depend largely on the watchability and intensity of the game. These factors need to be looked after by the resident league of the clubs as it is their responsibility to ensure competitiveness within the league, which further leads to more broadcasting and stadium attendance.

Which Football League is the Best in the World?

Football is arguably the most popular sport in the world. Europe has become the global center of world football. According to the International governing body for association football (FIFA), there are 210 professional men’s football leagues in the world. These leagues are not just for entertainment but also for the development of football at the grassroots level. Here is a detailed list of the top football leagues in the world backed by our ranking factors.

10. Liga MX (Mexico)

Liga MX is a professional association football league that is the highest division in Mexican football. Due to North and South American viewers, it attracts a large audience both for its regular season games as well as through the game’s live broadcast. The passion for football in Mexico drives the league and helps promote and develop future stars for the Mexican National team.

The liguilla is made up of 10 teams that qualify for the tournament based on regular-season point totals, the six highest-placed advance to the quarterfinals, while teams seven through ten compete in the play-in round. Some of the most popular and decorated teams of the league include Club América, Guadalajara, Cruz Azul, and Pumas UNAM. Liga MX ranked tenth on our list of the best league in the world.

9. Major League Soccer (USA)

The MLS was founded in the year 1993, It was created to support USA’s bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. This league includes a total of 29 teams divided into two parts, Eastern and Western conferences. Major League Soccer secures a whopping $1.6 billion in revenue. Its average stadium attendance of 21,857 reflects its growing popularity, outpacing regional rival Liga MX in attendance, which is a significant achievement. Sighting the arrival of Lionel Messi in the summer of 2023 to play for Inter Miami, many other star players like Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba moved to the MLS.

Subsequently, the MLS has garnered an immense amount of viewership and ratings this season. Now, MLS ranks higher than the Saudi Pro League, which could only make it to the Honorable mentions. This is because, although Saudi Arabia has more powerful teams at the top, like AL Hilal and AL Nassar in terms of squad and capital; however, unlike MLS, which maintains a uniformity in its competition, the Saudi league has certain shunted teams that are never able to compete in the Pro League.

8. Eredivisie (Netherlands)

Eredivisie is a professional football league in the Netherlands, which is the highest level of the Dutch league system. The league was founded in 1956, two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It has a system of 18 clubs which play each other twice, once at home and once away, following which the two bottom clubs are relegated to the Eerste Divisie (2nd division), subsequently replaced by the top two teams from the said 2nd division league.

Another round is held where the third last club from Eredivisie enters into a playoff along with 6 other high-placed teams in the Eerste Divisie. Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord Rotterdam, HVV Den Haag are some of the most influential and historical teams that have played in the Eredivisie, with Ajax being the most successful by collecting a whopping 36 league titles to cement their legacy. Eredivisie is ranked eight on our list of the best league in the world.

7. Primeira Liga (Portugal)

The Primeira Liga was established in the year 1934 and features 17 team with each team playing 34 matches per season. The league is actually dominated by the Big-3 teams Sporting, Benfica and Porto. With $1.3 billion in revenue, it is one of the major competitive leagues in Europe. The league’s revenue, driven by TV rights and sponsorships, supports its growth, while its 350 million viewers highlight its global appeal.

The Primeira Liga, also known as Liga Portugal, is considered one of the best leagues in Europe. The most successful clubs in Portugal’s history are Benfica (37 titles) followed by Porto (29 titles) and Sporting CP (18 titles). Over the years, the league has seamlessly developed an endless cycle of talented young players who have made it to some of the biggest European clubs in the world. The Portuguese top flight has produced legendary players such as Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and João Félix.

6. Serie A (Brazil)

Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A was founded in the year 1959 and is run by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF). Features 20 teams with each team playing 38 matches per season, playing twice with the same opponent, one away game and one home game. Palmeiras are the most successful team in this league. This league is also famous for producing stars like Neymar Jr., Endrick, Rodrygo, Coutinho and many more. This league has become a scouting spot for big clubs.

Some of the most iconic clubs in the South American football league are Flamengo, Palmeiras, Corinthians, and São Paulo, and act as the supply chain for producing talent for European clubs. This league has a rich history, a dedicated fan base, tradition, and a high level of competition in the league. Brazilian clubs from Serie A mostly dominate and play the continental competitions like Copa Libertadores (equivalent to UEFA Champions League) and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. With the return of Neymar to the league, many fans around the globe have started following this league once again.

5. Ligue 1 (France)

The league was founded in 1932 and is operated by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP). There’s a vast difference between PSG, the league’s most dominant force in recent years, and the rest of the clubs in the league. This league is ranked in 5th position among the top 10 best football leagues in the world in 2025. With $2.37 billion in revenue. The French first-tier league has produced world-class players, the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe, and Raphael Varane, but only a few names.

After the exit of players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Sergio Ramos, viewership of this league has fallen. A few years back, Ligue 1 was one of the best leagues in the world. The viewership of Ligue 1 has spiked in recent years with the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Sergio Ramos.

4. Serie A (Italy)

Founded in 1898, the Serie A is one of the oldest football leagues in the world and was once regarded as the undisputed superior league. The Italian first division boasts some heavy European giants such as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Napoli. It is one of the most competitive and defensive leagues in the world. Despite financial challenges in the past, Serie A’s resurgence, driven by competitive title races and deep runs in European competitions, has reaffirmed its status as a footballing powerhouse. Serie A accounts for about €3.8 – 4 billion in revenue.

Its financial model relies heavily on broadcasting rights and sponsorships. Serie A has had four different winners in the last four years: Napoli, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus. The average stadium attendance is 28,000 per game. The league has been among the top 10 football leagues in the world since the late 20th century. Serie A was so popular back then (2000s era) that all the famous players wanted to play there, especially in teams like AC Milan & Inter Milan.

3. Bundesliga (Germany)

Unsurprisingly, the Bundesliga is the second most popular football league in the world in 2025, with Bayern Munich being the most successful club in the German top flight and they have enjoyed some serious success in Europe as well. It attracts one of the highest numbers of attendees in world football. They are gaining attention again with young talents loud, passionate fanbase and more competition than ever. Some of the top football clubs, such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, and flaunting the most passionate fanbase, play in the German top division.

Players like Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Muller, Harry Kane, and Florian Wirtz are prominent names playing in the Bundesliga. Generating €4.6 billion in revenue, the Bundesliga secures third place. Its high annual revenue comes from lucrative broadcasting deals with networks like Sky Germany and sponsorships from Adidas and Deutsche Telekom, while its global telecast reaches nearly every country

2. La Liga (Spain)

Ranking second, fell short of securing the top spot in the list of best leagues in the world, La Liga, whose clubs prominently Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid CF have continued to be threatening on the European and world stage over the last few decades. It’s currently home to some of the best players and managers in the world such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Lamine Yamal, and coaches like Carlo Ancelloti and Hansi Flick.

Many expect La Liga to be the natural runner-up to the Premier League among the best leagues in the world, but the Spanish first-tier league has seen a significant decline in its viewership and popularity since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In South Asia, they have failed to attract any major television broadcast deal. However fancode took the responsibility to broadcast remaining matches of the league in the region. La Liga is one of the most watched leagues in the world for years now.

1. Premier League (England)

Still wondering which is the best league in the world. Undoubtedly, the most-watched football league in the world is the English Premier League and it comes as no surprise that some of the most valued clubs in the world as well as players are part of this division. Therefore, it occupies the first spot in the list of top 10 football leagues in the world. The likes of Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Kevin De Bruyne all ply their trade in England. The English Premier League is one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.

And world-class players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mohamed Salah and elite managers, namely Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot, all compete in this league. As per Transfermarkt data, the league has 40,498 people on average stadium attendance per game, which is astronomically high compared to any other league in this list. With that huge viewership Premier League retains the position of being the best league in the world.

Best Leagues in the World: Honorable Mentions

Now, except for all the other popular leagues, there are many budding leagues in the world showing significant promise in terms of the level of competition, spectators amassed, and revenue generated through local and international viewers. These leagues are slowly growing in terms of their influence and could soon become a part of our elite top 10 leagues. Below are listed some such leagues in no particular ranking order.

Turkish Super Lig (Turkey)

The Turkish Super Lig or Trendyol SuperLig for sponsorship reasons, is the top flight of professional football in Turkey. A total of 18 teams take part in this competition, wherein each team plays a total of 36 matches. At the end of each season, 4 teams are relegated from the SuperLig and fall to the second division, whereas 3 clubs are promoted from the lower tier based on the league standings.

Turkish fans are really passionate and highly enthusiastic to support their favorite clubs, thus matches with popular teams like Beşiktaş, Trabzonspor, and Bursaspor are definite crowd pullers. Some of the very talented players in the Turkey squad that have been developed through this very league are Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan), Arda Turan (formerly, Barcelona), etc.

Saudi Pro League (Saudi Arabia)

The Saudi Pro League or Roshn Saudi League is the highest level of football competition in Saudi Arabia. It is even considered as the premier football league in Asia by virtue of having the highest ranking among AFC club competitions. Although the Saudi Pro League came about after many iterations of various Leagues by the formulators, it is still considered as a separate entity from the rest of them since its final formulation in 2008, as even its records are kept separate.

Some of the other important clubs that have contributed significantly to the league’s growth are Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Shabab. The league has also benefited from the rich investments made in the League by the Saudi owners, as this allows the clubs to offer players extremely lucrative salary packages. Owing to these surplus wages, many superstars of European football like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Franck Kessie, Neymar Jr, etc. have settled here for their inevitable retirement.