Top 10 Best Football Clubs in London - 2025 (Ranked)

The roots of football in London trace course back to the 19th century, as the sport slowly gained popularity across England. While industrialisation was shattering the nation, the need for a new pastime emerged, with football becoming a central part of the new era. This paved the way for local leagues, which led to the emergence of clubs in every corner of the city. The city is home to some of best football clubs in London.

In 1863, the Football Association (FA) was established in London, which became a pivotal moment for the competitive sport that Londoners know and love today, thereby creating the modern game. Since then, London has become a hotspot for football, which saw the emergence of best football club in London. In this article, we are going to explore the top 10 best football club in London 2025. Across all levels of English football.

List of Best London Football Clubs

Here's the list of top 10 best football club in London 2025, from the most successful teams of the city to those boasting history and legacy on its side:

How We Ranked the Best Football Clubs in London?

Below are the five key ranking factors that we have considered to find the which is the best football club in London and list down the best football clubs in London.

• Major Trophies & Historical Success: A team's historical success and the number of trophies they have won ever since their establishment.
• Current Form: A club's recent form and how they have performed in their respective leagues and competitions.
• Squad Quality: Another factor is the squad's quality, the number of top-class players a club from London has in its squad.
• Current Valuation: Next is a club's current valuation and the estimated value of their entire squad, players and coaches.
• Fan Base & Cultural Influence: At last, the most vital factor fan base and a team's cultural influence in representing the city.

Which is the Best Football Club in London in 2025?

Holding the name as the football capital, London disappoints none with 17 football clubs in its radius, located at different parts playing at different leagues in the football pyramid that include Premier League, Championship, and League One. More moments to treasure and celebrate for the city, which began to share triumphs, heartbreaks, on and off the pitch, perhaps creating the fulcrum for the city’s passion, making London a footballing powerhouse woven with history.

10. Queens Park Rangers (West London)

The Queens Park Rangers was founded in 1882 and turned into a professional club seven years later in 1889. They have been an important part of the city's football heritage. Rangers lifted the League Cup in the 1966-67 season, marked as the most important result in club history. They also became champions in the lower divisions a few times.

One of best football clubs in London, Nicknamed theHoops, the West London club was among the inaugural clubs of the English Premier League. They are currently competing in the second division in the EFL Championship and play their home games at Loftus Road stadium, which has a massive fanbase in the region.

9. Millwall FC (South East London)

In the South East part of London, Millwall football club was founded in 1885. Millwall has a strong and loyal fanbase, also known as a raw English club, due to the famous Hollywood movie Green Street. Even though the club has never played in the top division of the English football, they have played in lower divisions; they have been a second division side for the past 9 years.

Millwall has been promoted 11 times and relegated 9 times, too. Millwall spent most of its history in the second or third level. The Lions are a well-known and one of the best London football clubs, in terms of trophies – they won the 2nd division, 3rd division & 4th division league trophies. The biggest achievement to date is that the club reached the FA Cup final in 2004.

8. Watford

Competing in the EFL Championship, the Watford football club was founded in 1881, though they aren't in London but in the suburb of Watford that is part of the metropolis of London. Over the years, they have gained a reputation as a London club. Since the 2022-23 season, following demotion, Watford FC is a Championship team, having spent four years in the second tier.

Watford’s home ground on Vicarage Road, the stadium can cater to 21 thousand attendees on matchdays. The Hortnets have regularly claimed mid-table finishes season after season in the second division. They will need a lot of work, in order to fulfil their target of returning back to the Premier League. Nonetheless, Watford does find itself in the list of best football clubs in London.

7. West Ham United FC (East London)

The club was founded as Thames Ironworks in 1895, and was later changed to West Ham United in 1900. Later on in 1919, the club joined the Football League (the predecessor of the Premier League). West Ham's most memorable prize is the FA Cup won in 1964, 1975 and 1980. From the Boleyn Ground, the hammers changed their base and moved to the London Stadium in 2016.

In 2022-23, the club attained their first major continental success, lifting the UEFA Conference League under David Moyes' supervision, with the likes of English midfield star Declan Rice and Jarred Bown in the team. However, since then, West Ham have been struggling in the Premier League with their on-field performances due to considerable reasons. Nonetheless, the Irons are regarded as one of the best football club in London.

6. Fulham FC (West London)

The oldest London club to play in the Premier League, Fulham, was founded in 1879. The Cottagers won back promotion to the top division four years ago, though they have never managed to win the silverware in their whole history. In 1975 and 2010, the West London side went close to tasting cup success. Unfortunately, in 1975, the club lost the FA Cup final to West Ham United.

In 2010, Spanish giants Atlético Madrid crushed their hopes to win the European trophy in the Europa League final. Like, West Ham, Fulham has also been going through a rough phase in the league over the past few seasons. Nonetheless, they are holding themselves in the first division firmly amid hardships.

5. Brentford FC (West London)

Another club on the list best football clubs in London is Brentford. Brentford football club laid its foundation in 1889 at the Old Griffin stadium, which was surrounded by pubs. Nicknamed as the Bees, the club uses Gtech Community Stadium as their base. Over the years, the club has seen considerable success under Thomas Frank.

Since 2020, Brentford has played in their new Brentford Community Stadium and got promoted to the Premier League in the 2021-2022 campaign after winning the Championship play-offs. Giving the English Premier League stars players like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and genius tacticians like Thomas France. In terms of performances, Brentford are doing well.

4. Crystal Palace FC (South London)

Up next in the list of best football clubs in London is Crystal Palace. It was established on September 10, 1905. The South London club was named after the Crystal Palace in the English capital that was built for the 1851 World Exhibition. The iconic Selhurst Park in southern London is where the Crystal Palace play it's home matches. The 2024-25 season was the most successful campaign for the club.

Last season, the Eagles won the English FA Cup for the first time ever after beating Liverpool in the final. At present, Crystal Palace boasts one of the strongest squads in the English Premier League. Followed by this instrumental success, the South London club won the FA Community Shield to mark its second successful glory in 2025. They look like one of the most promising teams in the league.

3. Tottenham Hotspur FC (North London)

One of the richest football clubs in the world, Tottenham Hotspur football club, was founded on September 5, 1882. The North London club is counted among the top six of the English Premier League. Spurs have been home to some of the best players in the world, a world-class manager and a massive modern home stadium. However, despite good performances, Tottenham last became English champions fifty years ago.

In the 2018-2019 campaign, Tottenham Hotspur moved to their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is built on the same site as the old White Hart Lane. Over the past few seasons, the Spurs played their games at Wembley Stadium. Last season, the club created history, lifting the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League title after beating Manchester United in the final.

2. Chelsea FC (West London)

The West London club has been the most successful club from the English capital; Chelsea has won six Premier League 2 x Europa League titles, a UEFA Conference League and a couple of UEFA Super Cups. They have spent billions in bracing their squad with world-class signings and transfers. The Blues have won every major UEFA silverware, becoming the only club in Europe to do so. Chelsea was founded on March 10, 1905.

But it was the year 2003 that transformed the club as they joined the big 6 of the Premier League. On that day, Mr Abramovich took over the club economically strong by buying players and managers, thereby winning six championship titles, while the club won 5 after 2003. They have remained the only London club to win the UEFA Champions League. The Blues are second in the list of the top 10 best football club in London 2025.

1. Arsenal (North London)

In the year 1886, the Royal Arsenal workers in Woolwich laid the foundation for the Arsenal football club. Since its induction, the North London club has been a top-flight club. They are the only team in the history of the Premier League to not lose a single game in their iconic 2002-03 silver-winning campaign led by legendary Arsene Wenger. Arsenal is the answer to which is the best football club in London.

Arsenal, nicknamed the Gunners, have won a staggering 13 English league titles, 14 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 16 Community Shields, and 1 European Cup in their trophy cabinet. However, it’s been 20 years since Arsenal last became English champions, and with Spanish tactician Mikel Arteta as manager, the crown is not far away for the Gunners, as they have been fighting relentlessly for the crown.