Sports
17 Most Followed Football Clubs in England Ranked in New Study
While football has always been a global game, the rise of social media has seen teams grow their followings like never before. They’ve become more accessible than ever, with fans from all over the world able to interact with them online, no matter where they are. Premier League clubs in particular have become worldwide franchises.
Even the likes of West Ham United have nearly 20m followers across social media, highlighting how the emergence of sites such as Instagram and X (Twitter) have helped teams become bigger and more popular than ever. Now, a fascinating study from CIES Football Observatory has revealed the 17 English teams with the biggest followings across all social media platforms.
17-11
Including the likes of Crystal Palace and Leeds United
Leeds United are the first team on the list, squeaking in at 17th with 7m followers across all social media platforms. They could see their following grow even more going forward should their upward trajectory continue.
Just ahead of them are Sunderland, whose followers have grown by 55.3% over the last year thanks to their success in the Premier League. The Black Cats finished in an impressive seventh in their first campaign back in England’s top tier as they secured Europa League qualification.
Just ahead of them are Southampton, who were sensationally kicked out of this year’s Championship playoff final, and Crystal Palace, who were recently crowned Europa Conference League champions.
Palace’s rivals Brighton & Hove Albion (9.7m), Wolverhampton Wanderers (12.3m) and Everton (17.7m) are the final three sides included in this section, with the Toffees’ followers growing by 21.8% over the last 12 months.
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Tottenham Hotspur feature here
Breaking into the top 10, Aston Villa are up first. The Midlands club have been transformed under Unai Emery and are now firmly entrenched among the Premier League’s top teams. They successfully qualified for the Champions League once again this season following a fourth-place finish, while they were also triumphant in the Europa League. It’s vastly different from the struggles in the Championship just a handful of seasons ago.
Despite their success, Emery’s side have fewer followers than West Ham. The Hammers’ followers have grown by 6.3% over the last 12 months despite enduring a tough campaign which ultimately ended in relegation to the Championship.
Newcastle United follow. The Magpies have gone from strength to strength following Mike Ashley’s sale of the club to the Saudi Public Investment Fund and they have 21.3m followers across all social media channels. They aren’t the only team who have seen a significant improvement in recent years and earned a sizeable following as a result, though.
The final two teams just outside the top five are Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Despite falling into League One, the Foxes have 24.3m followers across all social media, while Spurs (112.2m) miss out on the top five by just 6m.
5-1
Manchester United lead the way
The first team in the top five is Arsenal. The Gunners finally ended their Premier League trophy drought to become English champions for the first time since 2004. They were beaten in the Champions League final by PSG, though, meaning they remain the only team in the top five of this list to never win the competition. As a result, it’s hardly surprising to see the Gunners come fifth with 118.5m followers across all platforms.
There’s a sizeable jump next to fourth place and ahead of them is London rivals Chelsea, who have 156.5m social media followers in total. The Blues have won two Champions League trophies over the last 15 years and have seen their status in football grow exponentially during the 21st century. With five Premier League titles under their belt too, Chelsea have become one of the biggest clubs in not just England, but the world.
Over 23m ahead of them, though, is Liverpool. After a period of struggle, the Reds transformed into one of the best teams in England again under Jurgen Klopp. The Germany rejuvenated the side and led them back to the Champions League trophy and their first ever Premier League title. His exit threatened undoing all the work they’d done, but Arne Slot came in and took them straight to the peak of English football. They are one of the most decorated football teams in the country and have 179.2m followers across all social media platforms, making them the third-most-followed side in England.
Surprisingly, Manchester City are one place above Liverpool, with 187.8m social media followers. The Citizens became one of the most dominant teams in the history of English football following Pep Guardiola’s arrival and that form has seen them become one of the most followed teams in the country. They’ve got a long way to go before they catch up to their local rivals, though. Manchester United, despite their struggles in recent years, are by far the most followed team in England, with 238.6m social media followers.
The Red Devils are coming off one of their better campaigns in recent years, with Michael Carrick leading them to a third-place finish in the Premier League. They’re the third-most followed team in the world, only behind Real Madrid (487.6m) and Barcelona (441.8m), and there’s no shame in that.
|
17 most followed English football teams |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Team |
Number of followers across all social media |
|
1 |
Manchester United |
238.6m |
|
2 |
Manchester City |
187.8m |
|
3 |
Liverpool |
179.2m |
|
4 |
Chelsea |
156.5m |
|
5 |
Arsenal |
118.5m |
|
6 |
Tottenham |
112.2m |
|
7 |
Leicester City |
24.3m |
|
8 |
Newcastle United |
21.3m |
|
9 |
West Ham United |
20.3m |
|
10 |
Aston Villa |
19.6m |
|
11 |
Everton |
17.7m |
|
12 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
12.3m |
|
13 |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
9.7m |
|
14 |
Crystal Palace |
8.4m |
|
15 |
Southampton |
7.7m |
|
16 |
Sunderland |
7.2m |
|
17 |
Leeds United |
7.0m |
Sports
Rio Ngumoha Agrees Terms With Bayern Munich to Leave Liverpool This Summer
Liverpool have been dealt a major blow after it emerged that one record-breaking star has agreed personal terms to leave Anfield this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.
The Reds are building a new era at the club this summer after a disappointing campaign, with Arne Slot being replaced by Andoni Iraola in the dugout, while Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah, and Andy Robertson have all been allowed to leave on a free transfer during the transfer window.
But alongside those key stars, it has now emerged that another talent has agreed terms to move away from the club in the current window, in a major blow to the new boss.
Bayern Munich Agree Terms With Rio Ngumoha
According to Sky Sports, Bayern Munich have made Liverpool sensation Rio Ngumoha their top target for the left-wing position this summer, and have already agreed personal terms with the teenager.
Ngumoha, who became the club’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer this season with his winner against Newcastle United back in August, enjoyed a breakout campaign under Slot, making 29 appearances in all competitions, including nine starts.
His explosive qualities have seen Bayern take a keen liking towards him, and they have moved to seal a deal for the 17-year-old by reaching a full verbal agreement with him back in May. That came as Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona was completed, ruling him out of the running.
Despite the agreement, however, Liverpool are absolutely adamant that a deal will not happen, as they view Ngumoha as a key part of their current squad and their future – with some even describing him as ‘one of the best wingers in the world’.
As it stands, a deal has collapsed between Bayern and Liverpool, with the Bundesliga champions now prioritising moves for Nathaniel Brown and Ismail Saibari. But with Ngumoha’s green light already in their back pocket, it’s possible they could return later in the window if a deal becomes possible.
Liverpool have zero interest in letting Ngumoha leave, but should the player decide to push for a move away, then it could open the door.
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Liverpool Can’t Lose Ngumoha
When you have a talent as incredible as Ngumoha is, as a club, you simply have to do all you can to build around them, rather than see them leave.
Ngumoha has been shown that there is a pathway for him in the first-team, and under Iraola he is likely to get more opportunities, just like Brazil star Rayan did under him at Bournemouth.
Bayern is a huge opportunity, and if he wants to explore that later in his career then that is his prerogative. But right now he is needed at Anfield, and they hold all the cards, so it would take something extraordinary to change that.
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Sports
Why F1 Icon Won’t Fully Support England at 2026 World Cup
Lewis Hamilton gave a surprising response after being asked if he would be supporting England at the 2026 World Cup which gets underway on Thursday.
The 41-year-old, who is a lifelong football fan, has already enjoyed success this year after his beloved Arsenal won their first Premier League title in more than 20 years last month.
Thomas Tuchel’s men have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Their campaign gets underway on the 17th of June when they face Croatia in Arlington, Texas.
However, Hamilton, knighted in 2021, won’t be completely behind the Three Lions.
Lewis Hamilton Favours One Team Over England at the 2026 World Cup
Quizzed about his allegiances ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted that he would be supporting two teams at the tournament, stating:
“For me, it’s tied with England. Honestly, Brazil has always been my favourite team. Growing up in England, I used to love watching Brazil play. I think it’s the colours, the culture, and the players just looked the most skilled; they were so cool.
“I just appreciate where they come from. Many of the players come from the streets where they played with no shoes, and there’s something quite special about Brazilian culture.”
Alongside Hamilton’s love for the Brazilian national team, when he was growing up, the future champion idolised Brazilian Formula One legend and three-time world champion, Ayrton Senna, who tragically lost his life in a fatal crash in the 1994 season.
Hamilton paid tribute to Senna as he waved the Brazilian flag in the air from his cockpit following his incredible victory at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix. Prior to that tribute, Hamilton received a race-worn Ayrton Senna helmet as a gift from the Senna family.
In 2022, the now 41-year-old received honorary citizenship of Brazil, strengthening his love and connection with the country.
England’s Poor Record Against Brazil
Predicting how the World Cup is going to play out is very difficult due to the unpredictable, surprising nature of football, but we could potentially see England take on Brazil at some point during the month-long extravaganza.
England have never defeated the Brazilian national team at a major tournament, with the last encounter between the two sides coming at the 2002 World Cup when Ronaldinho chipped David Seaman from a free kick and sent England home at the quarter-final stages.
The Three Lions have a poor record against Brazil throughout history, with only four wins from a possible twenty-seven, so if the two sides do clash in America, history suggests that the South American side will be victorious.
Sports
Man Utd Prepare £70m Bid To Sign Sandro Tonali
Newcastle’s midfield stalwart Sandro Tonali is a player in demand, but it seems that Manchester United have emerged as the favourites to sign the Italian this summer.
Tonali has been one of the most consistent midfield performers in the Premier League since arriving on Tyneside in 2023. Newcastle splashed out €70million on the then 23-year-old, making him the most expensive Italian player of all time. Despite a controversial betting suspension in 2024, Tonali has managed to attract a number of high-profile suitors, with United, Man City, and Arsenal reportedly in pursuit of his signature.
United want to sign at least two midfielders this summer and they have already shown their intent by agreeing a £38million deal for Atalanta’s Brazilian midfield maestro Ederson.
Tonali a Top Transfer Target for Man United, Man City, and Arsenal
Tonali has long been linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer, with United one of the front-runners to sign him and he has been earmarked as a top transfer target by new permanent boss Michael Carrick and INEOS, with a report from Caught Offside suggesting United are preparing an offer between £70million and £80million.
Elliot Anderson has been United’s number one priority this summer, but they face competition from Manchester City, who are confident of sealing a deal for the Nottingham Forest man, despite having seen an initial bid rejected.
But City, and Arsenal, could also make a late move for Tonali, too. Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Tonali in the January transfer window, and may go back in for the Italian this summer. Keen to build on their Premier League success, they will also be hoping to go one better in the Champions League after narrowly losing the final to Paris Saint-Germain. Tonali would no doubt form a formidable trio with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi or Martin Odegaard , but the Italian’s versatility would also provide great rotational cover throughout the season.
An exit for Tonali looks to be dependent upon a significant offer. Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and the Magpies have still yet to plug the attacking void created by Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool last summer. The departure of Tonali would leave Eddie Howe with a substantial summer rebuild on his hands. Recognising the damage this latest exit would wreak on their squad, Newcastle have reportedly valued Tonali at £100million.
Tonali gets the Paul Scholes Seal of Approval
And with United reportedly the favourites to land the industrious Italian, they already have the approval of one of the club’s greatest ever midfielders. Speaking on The Overlap last year, Paul Scholes was given the difficult task of picking the best midfielder in the Premier League at the time. The Man United legend eventually settled on the Newcastle star. “I love Sandro Tonali as well. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point,” said Scholes.
“Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice, but I think he’s better than Rice. I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything. Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary.
“He can do everything, but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali, but they’re both good players.”
“I was trying to think of a player, Tonali, especially. He can run. I think he’s been brilliant. Guimaraes as well. Very good. I’d probably choose Tonali at this point.”
At 26, Tonali is entering into the peak years of his career. Newcastle slipped to a 12th place finish this year, failing to secure European football. Like Gordon and Isak before him, surely the lure of European football with either United, City, or Arsenal will prove tempting to the Italian.
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