How Many Football Clubs Are in London? Full List 2025

By Sarah Miller · April 1, 2045

There are 17 professional football clubs in London, competing across the top five tiers of English football as of the 2025–2026 season.

Overview of London's Professional Football Clubs

London is home to more professional football clubs than any other city in England. These teams span the Premier League, EFL Championship, League One, League Two, and the National League, reflecting the city's deep football culture and competitive presence at every level of the pyramid.

Distribution Across Leagues

Premier League: 6 clubs
EFL Championship: 4 clubs
League One: 3 clubs
League Two: 2 clubs
National League: 2 clubs

Club	League (2025–2026)	Founded	Stadium	Capacity
Arsenal	Premier League	1886	Emirates Stadium	60,704
Chelsea	Premier League	1905	Stamford Bridge	40,343
Tottenham Hotspur	Premier League	1882	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	62,850
West Ham United	Premier League	1895	London Stadium	62,500
Fulham	Premier League	1879	Craven Cottage	27,500
Crystal Palace	Premier League	1905	Selhurst Park	25,486
Queens Park Rangers (QPR)	EFL Championship	1882	Loftus Road	18,439
Middlesex County FC (Barnet)	National League	1888	The Hive Stadium	6,500
Brentford	Premier League	1889	Gtech Community Stadium	17,250
Millwall	EFL Championship	1885	The Den	20,146
Charlton Athletic	League One	1905	The Valley	27,111
Leyton Orient	League One	1881	Brisbane Road	9,271
AFC Wimbledon	League Two	2002	Plough Lane	9,215
Sutton United	National League	1898	Gander Green Lane	5,013
Southend United	League Two	1906	Roots Hall	12,392
Wycombe Wanderers	League One	1887	Adams Park	9,477
Watford	EFL Championship	1881	Vicarage Road	22,200

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table above shows that six London clubs compete in the Premier League, making the capital a dominant force in top-flight English football. Additionally, the diversity in stadium sizes—from Emirates Stadium (60,704) to Gander Green Lane (5,013)—highlights the range of club sizes and fan bases across the city.

Historical Context and Club Origins

Many of London's clubs were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the city's industrial roots and growing urban population. Clubs like Fulham (1879) and Millwall (1885) began as works teams or community initiatives, evolving into professional entities over time.

Key Historical Milestones

Arsenal moved from Woolwich to Highbury in 1913, becoming the first southern club to join the Football League.
Chelsea was founded in 1905 specifically to populate Stamford Bridge with regular matches.
AFC Wimbledon was formed in 2002 by fans after the original Wimbledon FC relocated to Milton Keynes.
Barnet and Sutton United represent semi-professional roots now competing at national levels.

Rivalries and Derbies in London Football

London hosts several intense local rivalries, known as derbies, which add excitement and regional pride to the football calendar.

Major London Derbies

North London Derby: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
South London Derby: Crystal Palace vs Charlton Athletic or AFC Wimbledon
East London Derby: West Ham United vs Leyton Orient or Millwall
West London Derby: Chelsea vs Fulham or QPR

These fixtures often carry extra weight beyond league points, influencing fan morale, recruitment, and media attention.

Women's Football in London

London also plays a leading role in women's football, hosting multiple Women's Super League (WSL) teams. Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women are two of the most successful clubs in WSL history, regularly competing in UEFA Women's Champions League.

Arsenal Women: 15-time FA Women's Cup winners
Chelsea Women: 7-time WSL champions (as of 2025)
Spurs Women: Promoted to WSL in 2020, rapidly growing fanbase

About London Football Clubs: Common Questions

How many Premier League clubs are based in London?

As of the 2025–2026 season, there are six Premier League clubs in London: Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.

Which London football club has the largest stadium?

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the largest in London, with a capacity of 62,850. It surpassed Wembley Stadium for club football use and is the home ground of Tottenham Hotspur.

Are all London football clubs located within Greater London?

Most are, but some clubs like Watford and Southend United are located just outside the official boundaries of Greater London, though they are traditionally considered part of the London football scene due to proximity and fan base overlap.

What is the oldest football club in London?

Fulham FC, founded in 1879, is the oldest professional football club in London. They have played continuously in the Football League since 1907.

Which London clubs have won the UEFA Champions League?

Only two London clubs have won the UEFA Champions League: Chelsea (2012, 2021) and Arsenal has never won it, though they reached the final in 2006. No other London club has claimed the title.

Why does London have so many football clubs?

London's large population, historical development in the 19th century, and strong working-class communities led to the formation of numerous local teams. Over time, many evolved into professional clubs, supported by dense urban networks and transport links.

Do any London clubs play outside the city?

No major London club plays entirely outside the city, though some, like Barnet and Watford, are located near the outskirts. All maintain strong ties to London through fan base, identity, and administrative registration.