Football in London

London is not just a global city; it's a beating heart of football, where the beautiful game has deep roots and a vibrant, enduring legacy. From ancient, unruly street games to the birthplace of modern codified rules, the capital has shaped football as we know it. Today, it hosts an unparalleled number of professional clubs, iconic stadiums, and some of the world's most successful teams, making it a true global footballing powerhouse. London was the birthplace of modern organized football, where its foundational rules were first codified. The city is home to an extraordinary number of professional and amateur clubs, including several that rank among the most successful and globally followed teams in the world. London's clubs boast an impressive collection of domestic, European, and global trophies, highlighting the capital's consistent influence and success in football.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

London was the birthplace of modern organized football, where its foundational rules were first codified.
The city is home to an extraordinary number of professional and amateur clubs, including several that rank among the most successful and globally followed teams in the world.
London's clubs boast an impressive collection of domestic, European, and global trophies, highlighting the capital's consistent influence and success in football.

Football's Enduring Legacy

London stands as a monumental pillar in the world of football. It's home to a staggering number of clubs—sixteen professional, dozens of semi-professional, and hundreds of amateur teams—all contributing to a vibrant footballing ecosystem. This sheer volume makes London a unique global football hub.

Among these, a few names shine brightest: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. These giants have collectively clinched over 100 major titles and trophies, including numerous English league titles, FA Cups, and European honours. Their successes underscore London's enduring impact on the sport's highest levels.

Central to England's football narrative is Wembley Stadium, nestled in north-west London. This iconic arena has hosted World Cup Finals, European Championships, and countless FA Cup finals, serving as the spiritual home of English football. Its presence firmly cements London's place at the sport's global epicentre.

A Game Born in the City

Long before modern stadiums and professional leagues, ball games thrived in London. As early as the 12th century, around 1174–1183, chronicler William FitzStephen vividly described London youths engaging in team ball games during the annual Shrove Tuesday festival. This offers us a fascinating glimpse into the sport's ancient roots.

FitzStephen's account paints a lively picture: 'After lunch all of the city's youth would go out into the fields to take part in a ball game.' He noted that both students and workers, each with their own ball, would compete as older citizens watched, vicariously reliving their own carefree youth. It was a boisterous, passionate affair.

However, early football was often chaotic and violent. King Henry IV even outlawed the game in 1409—one of the earliest uses of the word 'football' in English—due to its unruly nature. It wasn't until the 16th century that Richard Mulcaster, headmaster of St Paul's School, championed a more organized version, advocating for smaller teams, referees, and even a coach.

While many early clubs have since disappeared, London boasts some truly venerable institutions. Fulham, founded in 1879, is often cited as London's oldest continuously professional club. But even older is Cray Wanderers, established in 1860, making it the oldest extant club in the Greater London area, though originally in Kent.

The Architects of the Modern Game

The modern game of football, with its universally accepted rules, was largely born in London. In 1863, Londoner Ebenezer Cobb Morley, a true visionary, played a pivotal role. He penned a letter to Bell's Life newspaper, proposing a governing body for the sport, which directly led to a historic meeting.

That meeting took place at the Freemasons' Tavern in central London, where The Football Association—the oldest football organization in the world—was founded. Morley then famously drafted the very first comprehensive set of rules for modern football from his home in Barnes, shaping the game forever.

The inaugural FA meeting brought together twelve founding clubs, all from London. Names like Barnes, Civil Service, and the original Crystal Palace were among those present, laying the groundwork for the sport's global expansion. While many of these clubs are now defunct or play rugby, their legacy endures.

The Rise of Professionalism

Initially, football in London was dominated by amateur teams, often comprising former public schoolboys. But as the 19th century drew to a close, a shift occurred. Royal Arsenal made the bold move to become London's first professional team in 1891, a decision that caused controversy and a boycott from the amateur London Football Association.

However, the professional tide was unstoppable. Other London clubs quickly followed suit: Millwall in 1893, Tottenham Hotspur in 1895, and both Fulham and West Ham in 1898. This era marked a significant turning point, democratizing the game and paving the way for wider participation and fan engagement.

London clubs soon began to make their mark in national competitions. Woolwich Arsenal became the first London club to join the Football League in 1893. Tottenham Hotspur then made history in 1901 by becoming the first London side to win the FA Cup in the professional era, followed by Arsenal winning London's first First Division title in 1931.

London's Enduring Dominance

London's influence on English football continued to grow throughout the 20th century. A remarkable period came in the 1989–90 season, when eight professional London clubs simultaneously played in the top tier of English football. This meant that a staggering 40% of the First Division teams that season were based in the capital.

In the modern Premier League era, London's presence remains formidable. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are consistently considered part of the league's 'big six'. They've achieved significant milestones, including Arsenal becoming the only London club to complete an entire League season unbeaten in 2003–04, a feat known as 'The Invincibles'.

Beyond the top three, the capital boasts a vast footballing landscape. From the Premier League down to Step 4 of the National League System, numerous London clubs compete fiercely, embodying the city's passion for the sport. Further down the pyramid, hundreds of amateur clubs thrive, particularly in areas like Hackney Marshes.

Hackney Marshes in East London is particularly noteworthy, reportedly hosting the single largest collection of football pitches in the world—a hundred separate pitches. This grassroots haven perfectly illustrates the depth and breadth of football's hold on the city.

Worldwide Fandom

London's football clubs aren't just local heroes; they're global phenomena, commanding massive international fanbases. Their success extends beyond the pitch and into the digital realm, with several clubs ranking among the most popular sports organizations on social media platforms worldwide.

As of late 2023, three London clubs featured in the top 20 most followed sports clubs on Instagram. This is a testament to their brand power, historical success, and the sheer global appeal of the Premier League.

#	Sports club	Sport	Country	Followers
8	Chelsea	Football	United Kingdom	41.4 million
11	Arsenal	Football	United Kingdom	28.2 million
15	Tottenham Hotspur	Football	United Kingdom	16.5 million

Domestic Glory

London clubs have carved out an illustrious history in English domestic competitions, collectively winning 21 top-flight titles. Arsenal has been particularly dominant, claiming 13 league championships, including their historic 'Invincibles' season. Chelsea and Tottenham also boast multiple league successes.

Beyond the champions, many other London clubs have achieved commendable league positions. Crystal Palace and West Ham United have both finished 3rd in the top flight, while Brentford, Wimbledon, Fulham, and Millwall have also reached impressive heights in England's premier division.

The Magic of the FA Cup

The FA Cup, the world's oldest football competition, holds a special place in London's heart. London clubs have lifted the coveted trophy a remarkable 42 times, with Arsenal leading the charge with an incredible 14 victories—a competition record for any club. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are close behind with 8 wins each.

The FA Cup has also delivered some thrilling all-London finals. There have been seven such occasions, starting with Tottenham Hotspur's victory over Chelsea in 1967. Arsenal has won three of these capital clashes, while West Ham United secured two, and Chelsea featured in four but ultimately lost them all.

Final No.	Season	Winners	Score	Runners–up	Venue	Attendance
86th	1966–67	Tottenham Hotspur	2–1	Chelsea	Wembley Stadium (original)	100,000
94th	1974–75	West Ham United	2–0	Fulham	Wembley Stadium (original)	100,000
99th	1979–80	West Ham United	1–0	Arsenal	Wembley Stadium (original)	100,000
121st	2001–02	Arsenal	2–0	Chelsea	Millennium Stadium	73,963
136th	2016–17	Arsenal	2–1	Chelsea	Wembley Stadium (new)	89,472
139th	2019–20	Arsenal	2–1	Chelsea	Wembley Stadium (new)	0[B]

Other Domestic Honours

Beyond the league and FA Cup, London clubs have also enjoyed considerable success in other domestic cup competitions. They have won 12 EFL Cups and 29 Community Shields, adding further silverware to their impressive collections. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, for instance, have a notable rivalry in the EFL Cup finals.

Furthermore, London teams have clinched 16 English Second Division titles, demonstrating their ability to succeed across different tiers of the English football league system. This breadth of success underlines the competitive spirit prevalent throughout London's football clubs.

Conquering Europe and the World

London's footballing prowess isn't confined to England; it extends across Europe and even the globe. London clubs have collectively won 14 major European titles and 2 FIFA Club World Cups, showcasing their ability to compete and triumph on the biggest international stages.

UEFA Champions League

The pinnacle of European club football, the UEFA Champions League, has been conquered twice by a London club. Chelsea proudly holds this distinction, lifting the coveted trophy in 2012 and again in 2021, cementing their status among Europe's elite. Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also reached the final, demonstrating the capital's strong presence in the competition.

Team	Winners	Runners-up	Years won	Years runner-up
Chelsea	2	1	2012, 2021	2008
Arsenal	0	1	–	2006
Tottenham Hotspur	0	1	–	2019

Article

Football in London

Association football is the most popular sport, both in terms of participants and spectators, in London. London has several of England's leading men's football clubs. The city is the home of sixteen men's professional clubs, several dozen men's semi-professional clubs and several hundred men's amateur clubs regulated by the London Football Association, Middlesex County Football Association, Surrey County Football Association, Amateur Football Alliance and the Kent County Football Association. Most London clubs are named after the district in which they play (or used to play), and share rivalries with each other.

London football teams have won a total of 21 English first division titles, 42 FA Cups, 12 EFL Cups, 29 Community Shields, 16 English second division titles, 2 Club World Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, 5 Cup Winners' Cups, 5 UEFA Cups/Europa Leagues, 2 Conference Leagues, 1 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, 2 Super Cups, and 2 Intertoto Cups. In the 1989–90 season, eight of London's professional clubs were in the top tier of English Football at the same time, meaning that 40% of the member clubs of the First Division that season were based in one city.

Introduction

Football in London

Fulham was founded in 1879. The club is London's oldest football club still playing professionally. Royal Arsenal was London's first club to turn professional in 1891. The club became Woolwich Arsenal in 1893 and then became Arsenal Football Club in 1913. Arsenal are only the second English club (after Preston North End of 1888–89), and the only London club to go an entire League season unbeaten, in the 2003–04 season. Arsenal have won The FA Cup a record 14 times; they were the first London team to win the Football League First Division in the 1930–31 season and the first London club to win the Premier League in the 1997–98 season. They were also the first London club to reach the European Cup/UEFA Champions League final, which they did in the 2005–06 season, though losing 1–2 to Barcelona.

Chelsea is the only club from London to win the UEFA Champions League, securing the title in both (/wiki/2012UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal) and (/wiki/2021UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal). On 15 May 2013, Chelsea won the UEFA Europa League to become the fourth club and the first British side to win all three main UEFA club competitions. In 2025, Chelsea became the first club to have won all four UEFA main club competitions; the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, the European/UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Europa Conference League/UEFA Conference League.

Chelsea is also the only London club to have participated in and win the FIFA Club World Cup in (/wiki/2021FIFAClubWorldCup) and (/wiki/2025FIFAClubWorldCup). Previously, they were runners-up in (/wiki/2012FIFAClubWorldCup), losing to Corinthians.

Tottenham Hotspur were the first British club to win a European trophy, winning the Cup Winners Cup in (/wiki/1963EuropeanCupWinners'CupFinal). Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are traditionally London's most successful teams. Between them, they have won a total of 103 titles and trophies. Wembley Stadium (1923), England's national stadium, was in London. The site of the 1966 World Cup Final and numerous European cup finals, it was the home venue of the England national football team and had traditionally hosted the FA Cup Final since (/wiki/1923FACupFinal). Wembley closed in 2000 and its replacement opened in 2007.

History

Football in London

The playing of team ball games (almost certainly including football) was first recorded in London by William FitzStephen around 1174–1183. He described the activities of London youths during the annual festival of Shrove Tuesday.

"After lunch all of the city's youth would go out into the fields to take part in a ball game. The students of each school have their own ball; the workers from each city craft are also carrying their balls. Older citizens, fathers, and the wealthy would come on horseback to watch their juniors competing, and to relive their own youth vicariously: you can see their inner passions aroused as they watch the action and get caught up in the fun being had by the carefree adolescents."

Regular references to the game occurred throughout the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, including the first reference to the word "football" in English when it was outlawed by King Henry IV of England in 1409. Early games were probably disorganised and violent. In the sixteenth century, the headmaster of St Paul's School Richard Mulcaster is credited with taking mob football and transforming it into organised and refereed team football. In 1581 he wrote about his game of football, which included smaller teams, referees, set positions and even a coach.

Royal Engineers A.F.C., 1872.

The modern game of football was first codified in 1863 in London and subsequently spread worldwide. Key to the establishment of the modern game was Londoner Ebenezer Cobb Morley who was a founding member of the Football Association, the oldest football organisation in the world. Morley wrote to the Bell's Life newspaper proposing a governing body for football which led directly to the first meeting at the Freemasons' Tavern in central London of the FA. He wrote the first set of rules of true modern football at his house in Barnes. The modern passing form of the game was invented in London in the early 1870s by the Royal Engineers A.F.C. (albeit the club were based in Chatham, Kent).

Prior to the first meeting of the Football Association in the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street, London on 26 October 1863, there were no universally accepted rules for the playing of the game of football. The founder members present at the first meeting were Barnes, Civil Service, Crusaders, Forest of Leytonstone (later to become Wanderers), N.N. (No Names) Club (Kilburn), the original Crystal Palace, Blackheath, Kensington School, Percival House (Blackheath), Surbiton and Blackheath Proprietary School; Charterhouse sent its captain, B.F. Hartshorne, but declined the offer to join. All of the 12 founding clubs were from London though many are since defunct or now play rugby union.

A rise in the popularity of football in London dates from the end of the 19th century, when a fall in church attendance left many people searching for a way to spend their weekend leisure time. In 1882 the London Football Association was set up. Over the next 25 years clubs sprang up all over the capital, and the majority of these teams are still thriving in the 21st century. Of those clubs currently playing in the Football League, Fulham is generally considered to be London's oldest, having been founded in 1879. However, Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers is the oldest extant club in all of the Greater London area, having been founded in 1860 in St Mary Cray | (then part of Kent but now in the London Borough of Bromley) and are still affiliated to the Kent County Football Association.

Just before a North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal in 2007.

Initially, football in London was dominated by amateur teams, drawing their membership from former public schoolboys but gradually working-class sides came to the forefront. Royal Arsenal was London's first professional team, becoming so in 1891, a move which saw them boycotted by the amateur London Football Association. Other London clubs soon followed Arsenal's footsteps in turning professional, including Millwall (1893), Tottenham Hotspur (1895), Fulham (1898) and West Ham (1898).

In the meantime, Woolwich Arsenal (formerly Royal Arsenal) went on to be the first London club to join the Football League, in 1893. The following year, the Southern League was founded and many of its members would go on to join the Football League. In 1901 Tottenham Hotspur became the first club from London to win the FA Cup in the professional era, although it would not be until 1931 that a London side would win the Football League, the team in question being Arsenal (having moved to Highbury in 1913 and dropping the "Woolwich" from their name).

In the 1989–90 season, eight of London's professional clubs were in the top tier of English Football at the same time, forming 40% of the First Division that season.

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham are regarded as three of the Premier League's current "big six" alongside Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City. In the two seasons immediately proceeding the start of this top six run, Arsenal and Chelsea became the first pair of London clubs to finish first and second in the top flight, with Arsenal winning in 2003–04, and Chelsea winning in 2004–05. The 2009–10 season saw Chelsea (1st), Arsenal (3rd) and Tottenham (4th) all finish in the top four, qualifying all three of these London teams into the same UEFA Champions League competition.

Before the 1996–97 season, when Chelsea started its run of consistent high finishes, the two highest profile London clubs were Arsenal and their long-standing North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom were considered to be members of English football's "big five" (with Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton) for much of the post-war period.

Clubs

Football in London

The table below lists all London clubs in the top eight tiers of the English football league system: from the top division (the Premier League), down to Step 4 of the National League System. League status is correct for the 2025–26 season.

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Location</th><th>Borough</th><th>Stadium</th><th>Capacity</th><th>Founded</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Premier League (7)</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>Holloway</td><td>Islington</td><td>Emirates Stadium</td><td>60,704</td><td>1886</td><td>Originally based in Woolwich. First London club to become English League Champions, in 1931. Record FA Cup winners with 14 titles. Won the league unbeaten in the 2003–04 season, becoming only the second team to do so after Preston North End.</td></tr><tr><td>Brentford</td><td>Brentford</td><td>Hounslow</td><td>Brentford Community Stadium</td><td>17,250</td><td>1889</td><td>Founded as Brentford Rowing Club. Played at Griffin Park from 1904 to 2020 before moving grounds.</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>Fulham</td><td>Hammersmith and Fulham</td><td>Stamford Bridge</td><td>41,312</td><td>1905</td><td>The only club to have won all four UEFA main club competitions, the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, the European/UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League. The first and only club to win all three pre-1999 main UEFA club competitions more than once each. The only London club to win the Champions League, Super Cup and the Club World Cup.</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Palace</td><td>Selhurst</td><td>Croydon</td><td>Selhurst Park</td><td>25,486</td><td>1905</td><td>A Crystal Palace team established in 1861 were FA founder members. Won the FA Cup, their first major trophy, on 17 May 2025.</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>Fulham</td><td>Hammersmith and Fulham</td><td>Craven Cottage</td><td>29,600</td><td>1879</td><td>London's first professional club in the Football League.</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>Tottenham</td><td>Haringey</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur Stadium</td><td>62,850</td><td>1882</td><td>The only non-league team to win the FA Cup (in 1901) after the founding of the Football League. The first London club (as well as the first English club) to win a European trophy, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1963. Also, inaugural winner of the UEFA Cup/Europa League in 1972.</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>Stratford</td><td>Newham</td><td>London Stadium</td><td>62,500</td><td>1895</td><td>Founded as Thames Ironworks. Played at the Boleyn Ground from 1904 to 2016, before moving to Stratford. The first English club to win the UEFA Conference League.</td></tr><tr><td>EFL Championship (3)</td></tr><tr><td>Charlton Athletic</td><td>Charlton</td><td>Greenwich</td><td>The Valley</td><td>27,111</td><td>1905</td><td>Won FA Cup in 1947. Have ground-shared at Selhurst Park and the Boleyn Ground.</td></tr><tr><td>Millwall</td><td>Bermondsey</td><td>Southwark</td><td>The Den</td><td>20,146</td><td>1885</td><td>Founded in East London on the Isle of Dogs, moved south across the river to Bermondsey in 1910.</td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>Shepherd's Bush</td><td>Hammersmith and Fulham</td><td>Loftus Road</td><td>18,439</td><td>1882</td><td>The team was renamed Queens Park Rangers in 1886 after the merger of St Jude's (formed in 1884) and Christchurch Rangers (formed 1882). They won the League Cup in 1967, from the third division.</td></tr><tr><td>EFL League One (2)</td></tr><tr><td>AFC Wimbledon</td><td>Wimbledon</td><td>Merton</td><td>Plough Lane</td><td>9,300</td><td>2002</td><td>Formed by fans of Wimbledon in protest after the club announced relocation to Milton Keynes. Starting at the ninth level of the football pyramid, they won promotion to the Football League in 2011.</td></tr><tr><td>Leyton Orient</td><td>Leyton</td><td>Waltham Forest</td><td>Brisbane Road</td><td>9,271</td><td>1881</td><td>Leyton Orient was originally formed by members of the Glyn Cricket Club.</td></tr><tr><td>EFL League Two (2)</td></tr><tr><td>Barnet</td><td>Edgware</td><td>Harrow</td><td>The Hive Stadium</td><td>5,100</td><td>1888</td><td>First London team to be promoted from the Football Conference into the Football League, in 1991.</td></tr><tr><td>Bromley</td><td>Bromley</td><td>Bromley</td><td>Hayes Lane</td><td>5,150</td><td>1892</td><td>Won the FA Trophy in 2022.</td></tr><tr><td>National League (2)</td></tr><tr><td>Sutton United</td><td>Sutton</td><td>Sutton</td><td>Gander Green Lane</td><td>5,013</td><td>1898</td><td>The 2021–22 season was Sutton's first season in the Football League.</td></tr><tr><td>Wealdstone</td><td>Ruislip</td><td>Hillingdon</td><td>Grosvenor Vale</td><td>4,085</td><td>1899</td><td>First ever non-League team to achieve the double of FA Trophy and Football Conference title in the same season, in 1985.</td></tr><tr><td>National League South (4)</td></tr><tr><td>Dagenham & Redbridge</td><td>Dagenham</td><td>Barking and Dagenham</td><td>Victoria Road</td><td>6,078</td><td>1992</td><td>Formed through a merger of Dagenham (formed in 1949) and Redbridge Forest (1979).</td></tr><tr><td>Enfield Town</td><td>Enfield</td><td>Enfield</td><td>Queen Elizabeth II Stadium</td><td>2,500</td><td>2001</td><td>Founded by supporters of Enfield protest against the club owners' actions.</td></tr><tr><td>Hampton & Richmond Borough</td><td>Hampton</td><td>Richmond upon Thames</td><td>Beveree Stadium</td><td>3,500</td><td>1921</td><td>Known as Hampton FC until 1999.</td></tr><tr><td>Hornchurch</td><td>Upminster</td><td>Havering</td><td>Hornchurch Stadium</td><td>3,500</td><td>2005</td><td>Founded as successors to Hornchurch F.C. Renamed from AFC Hornchurch to Hornchurch FC in 2019.</td></tr><tr><td>Isthmian League Premier Division (7)</td></tr><tr><td>Carshalton Athletic</td><td>Carshalton</td><td>Sutton</td><td>War Memorial Sports Ground</td><td>5,000</td><td>1905</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cheshunt</td><td>Cheshunt</td><td>Broxbourne</td><td>Theobalds Lane</td><td>3,000</td><td>1946</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cray Valley Paper Mills</td><td>Eltham</td><td>Greenwich</td><td>Badgers Sports Ground</td><td>1,000</td><td>1919</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cray Wanderers</td><td>Chislehurst</td><td>Bromley</td><td>Flamingo Park</td><td>3,252</td><td>1860</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dulwich Hamlet</td><td>East Dulwich</td><td>Southwark</td><td>Champion Hill</td><td>3,000</td><td>1893</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Welling United</td><td>Welling</td><td>Bexley</td><td>Park View Road</td><td>3,500</td><td>1963</td><td>Took over the ground that used to be played on by defunct club Bexley United.</td></tr><tr><td>Wingate & Finchley</td><td>Finchley</td><td>Barnet</td><td>The Maurice Rebak Stadium</td><td>1,500</td><td>1991</td><td>Formed after Finchley and Wingate merged.</td></tr><tr><td>Southern Football League Premier Division South (2)</td></tr><tr><td>Hanwell Town</td><td>Perivale</td><td>Ealing</td><td>Reynolds Field</td><td>3,000</td><td>1920</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Uxbridge</td><td>Yiewsley</td><td>Hillingdon</td><td>Honeycroft</td><td>3,770</td><td>1871</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Isthmian League Division One North (2)</td></tr><tr><td>Redbridge</td><td>Barkingside</td><td>Redbridge</td><td>Oakside Stadium</td><td>3,000</td><td>1959</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Walthamstow</td><td>Walthamstow</td><td>Waltham Forest</td><td>Wadham Lodge</td><td>3,500</td><td>1868</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Isthmian League Division One South Central (9)</td></tr><tr><td>Bedfont Sports</td><td>Bedfont</td><td>Hounslow</td><td>Bedfont Recreation Ground</td><td>3,000</td><td>2002</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hanworth Villa</td><td>Hanworth</td><td>Hounslow</td><td>Rectory Meadow</td><td>1,000</td><td>1976</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Harrow Borough</td><td>Harrow</td><td>Harrow</td><td>Earlsmead Stadium</td><td>3,070</td><td>1933</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hayes & Yeading United</td><td>Hayes</td><td>Hillingdon</td><td>SkyEx Community Stadium</td><td>2,500</td><td>2007</td><td>Formed through a merger of Hayes and Yeading.</td></tr><tr><td>Hendon</td><td>Kingsbury</td><td>Brent</td><td>Silver Jubilee Park</td><td>1,990</td><td>1908</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kingstonian</td><td>Raynes Park</td><td>Kingston upon Thames</td><td>Prince George's Playing Fields</td><td>1,500</td><td>1885</td><td>Won the F.A. Trophy in 1999 and 2000. Currently groundsharing with Raynes Park Vale.</td></tr><tr><td>Metropolitan Police</td><td>East Molesey</td><td>Elmbridge (Surrey)</td><td>Imber Court</td><td>3,000</td><td>1919</td><td>Founded by officers and staff of the Metropolitan Police.</td></tr><tr><td>Raynes Park Vale</td><td>Raynes Park</td><td>Merton</td><td>Prince George's Playing Fields</td><td>1,500</td><td>1995</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Southall</td><td>Southall</td><td>Ealing</td><td>The 1878 Stadium</td><td>2,500</td><td>1871</td><td>Groundsharing at Burnham.</td></tr><tr><td>Isthmian League Division One South East (3)</td></tr><tr><td>AFC Croydon Athletic</td><td>Thornton Heath</td><td>Croydon</td><td>Mayfield Stadium</td><td>3,000</td><td>2012</td><td>Founded as successors to Croydon Athletic F.C. in 2012.</td></tr><tr><td>Beckenham Town</td><td>Beckenham</td><td>Bromley</td><td>Eden Park Avenue</td><td>4,000</td><td>1971</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Erith Town</td><td>Thamesmead</td><td>Bexley and Greenwich</td><td>Bayliss Avenue</td><td>6,000</td><td>1959</td><td>Groundsharing at Sporting Club Thamesmead.</td></tr><tr><td>Southern Football League Division One Central (4)</td></tr><tr><td>Enfield</td><td>Hertford</td><td>East Hertfordshire</td><td>Hertingfordbury Park</td><td>2,500</td><td>2007</td><td>Groundsharing at Hertford Town.</td></tr><tr><td>Hadley</td><td>Arkley</td><td>Barnet</td><td>Brickfield Lane</td><td>2,000</td><td>1882</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Northwood</td><td>Northwood</td><td>Hillingdon</td><td>Skyline Roofing Stadium</td><td>3,076</td><td>1926</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rayners Lane</td><td>Rayners Lane</td><td>Harrow</td><td>Tithe Farm Social Club</td><td>1,000</td><td>1933</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Below the eighth tier, numerous London clubs are represented within the Combined Counties League (SW), Essex Senior League (NE), Southern Counties East Football League (SE) and the Spartan South Midlands League (NW).

Defunct clubs

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Location</th><th>Borough</th><th>Stadium</th><th>Founded</th><th>Dissolved/ Merged</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Casuals</td><td>?</td><td>?</td><td>?</td><td>1878</td><td>1939</td><td>Founder members of the Isthmian League in 1905 and won the FA Amateur Cup in 1936. Merged with Corinthian to form Corinthian-Casuals.</td></tr><tr><td>Clapham Rovers</td><td>Clapham</td><td>Lambeth</td><td>Clapham Common</td><td>1869</td><td>1911</td><td>Former FA Cup winners. Scorers of the first ever FA Cup goal.</td></tr><tr><td>Corinthian</td><td>?</td><td>?</td><td>Queen's Club, Crystal Palace, Leyton</td><td>1882</td><td>1939</td><td>Rarely partook in competitive matches yet defeated many strong teams, often by a wide margin – e.g. FA Cup holders Blackburn Rovers 8–1 (1884) and Bury FC 10-3 (1903). Merged with Casuals to form Corinthian-Casuals.</td></tr><tr><td>Croydon Athletic</td><td>Thornton Heath</td><td>Croydon</td><td>KT Stadium</td><td>1986</td><td>2011/2012</td><td>Supporters of the defunct club and some of the old club management and officials formed a new member owned, fan owned, club — AFC Croydon Athletic.</td></tr><tr><td>Croydon Common</td><td>Selhurst</td><td>Croydon</td><td>Croydon Common Athletic Ground</td><td>1897</td><td>1917</td><td>The only Southern League Division One club not to return to playing football after World War I.</td></tr><tr><td>Croydon Municipal</td><td>Croydon</td><td>Croydon</td><td>Croydon Arena</td><td>2009</td><td>2010</td><td>Offshoot of Croydon FC. Withdrew from the league at the conclusion of their first season.</td></tr><tr><td>Ealing</td><td>Ealing</td><td>Ealing</td><td>Various in West London, including Wembley Stadium</td><td>1905</td><td>2013</td><td>Founding Member of the Ishmian League. Southern Amateur League and Amateur Cup double in 1927. Folded due to demise of long term team officials and increased costs. First amateur team to play at Wembley. Played 8 home games there in 1928.</td></tr><tr><td>Edgware Town</td><td>Edgware</td><td>Barnet</td><td>White Lion Ground (Now at Silver Jubilee Park, Kingsbury)</td><td>1939</td><td>2008 (Reformed 2014)</td><td>At the end of the 2007–08 season, Edgware Town were forced to resign from the Isthmian League Division One North when lack of funds meant that the club were unable to confirm a new ground for the following season after their lease at the White Lion ground had expired.</td></tr><tr><td>Fisher Athletic</td><td>East Dulwich</td><td>Southwark</td><td>Champion Hill</td><td>1908</td><td>2009</td><td>Once tenants of Dulwich Hamlet. A new fan-owned club, Fisher F.C., was formed.</td></tr><tr><td>Hayes</td><td>Hayes</td><td>Hillingdon</td><td>Church Road</td><td>1909</td><td>2007</td><td>Merged with Yeading to form Hayes & Yeading United.</td></tr><tr><td>Leyton</td><td>Leyton</td><td>Waltham Forest</td><td>Leyton Stadium</td><td>1868</td><td>2011</td><td>In January 2011, after a short suspension from the league for not paying its subscription, the club was forced to withdraw from the Isthmian League Division One North division due to debt.</td></tr><tr><td>London XI</td><td>Multiple</td><td>Multiple</td><td>Multiple</td><td>1955</td><td>1958</td><td>Created specifically to take part in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup between 1955 and 1958, reaching the final.</td></tr><tr><td>Nunhead</td><td>Nunhead</td><td>Southwark</td><td>Brown's Ground (also known as 'Nunhead Sports Ground')</td><td>1888</td><td>1949, with day-to-day operations ceasing at the end of the 1940–41 season</td><td>Founded as Wingfield House Football Club in 1888, the name was changed to Nunhead F.C. in 1904.</td></tr><tr><td>Thames</td><td>Custom House</td><td>Newham</td><td>West Ham Stadium</td><td>1928</td><td>1932</td><td>Members of the Football League between 1930 and 1932.</td></tr><tr><td>Upton Park</td><td>Upton Park</td><td>Newham (orginially Essex, when founded)</td><td>West Ham Park</td><td>1866</td><td>1911</td><td>Represented Great Britain at the 1900 Summer Olympics football tournament, winning the gold medal.</td></tr><tr><td>Wanderers</td><td>Leytonstone (originally)</td><td>Waltham Forest</td><td>The Oval and others</td><td>1859</td><td>c. 1887</td><td>Winners of the first ever FA Cup.</td></tr><tr><td>Wimbledon</td><td>Wimbledon</td><td>Merton</td><td>Plough Lane, Selhurst Park</td><td>1889</td><td>2004</td><td>Moved to Milton Keynes in 2003, renamed Milton Keynes Dons in 2004. AFC Wimbledon formed in 2002 by the majority of its former fans.</td></tr><tr><td>Yeading</td><td>Yeading</td><td>Hillingdon</td><td>The Warren</td><td>1960</td><td>2007</td><td>Merged with Hayes to form Hayes & Yeading United.</td></tr></tbody></table>

There are also a huge number of minor London clubs playing outside the top eight levels of English football. Hackney Marshes in east London, home to many amateur sides, is reportedly the single largest collection of football pitches in the world, with 100 separate pitches.

Popularity

Many association football clubs from London are also successful on social media with a large international fanbase. Three of the top 20 most popular sports clubs on Instagram in the world, as of 23 November 2023, are from London:

<table><thead><tr><th>#</th><th>Sports club</th><th>Sport</th><th>Country</th><th>Followers</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Real Madrid</td><td>Football</td><td>Spain</td><td>149 million</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>FC Barcelona</td><td>Football</td><td>Spain</td><td>124 million</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Paris Saint-Germain</td><td>Football</td><td>France</td><td>65.7 million</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>Football</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>63.1 million</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Juventus</td><td>Football</td><td>Italy</td><td>59.8 million</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>Football</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>49.4 million</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>Football</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>43.6 million</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>Football</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>41.4 million</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Bayern Munich</td><td>Football</td><td>Germany</td><td>40.8 million</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>Basketball</td><td>United States</td><td>32.1 million</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>Football</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>28.2 million</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>Basketball</td><td>United States</td><td>23.6 million</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Borussia Dortmund</td><td>Football</td><td>Germany</td><td>19.3 million</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>Basketball</td><td>United States</td><td>16.5 million</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>Football</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>16.5 million</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Atlético Madrid</td><td>Football</td><td>Spain</td><td>16.3 million</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Inter Miami</td><td>Football</td><td>United States</td><td>15.4 million</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>AC Milan</td><td>Football</td><td>Italy</td><td>15.3 million</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Galatasaray</td><td>Football</td><td>Turkey</td><td>14.4 million</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Mumbai Indians</td><td>Cricket</td><td>India</td><td>13 million</td></tr></tbody></table>

Most successful clubs overall (1871–present)

Football in London

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>English Football Champions</th><th>FA Cup</th><th>EFL Cup</th><th>FA Community Shield</th><th>Championship</th><th>Domestic Total</th><th>European Cup / Champions League</th><th>UEFA Cup Winners' Cup</th><th>UEFA Cup / Europa League</th><th>UEFA Conference League</th><th>UEFA Super Cup</th><th>UEFA Intertoto Cup</th><th>Fairs Cup</th><th>Intercontinental Cup / FIFA Club World Cup</th><th>European / Worldwide Total</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>13</td><td>14</td><td>2</td><td>17</td><td>–</td><td>46</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>(1)</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>47</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>6</td><td>8</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>25</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>2</td><td>11</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>2</td><td>8</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>23</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>4</td><td>27</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>–</td><td>3</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>3</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Wanderers</td><td>–</td><td>5</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>5</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Palace</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Charlton Athletic</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Clapham Rovers</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Wimbledon</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Brentford</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Millwall</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

The figures in bold represent the most times this competition has been won by an English team. Shared Community Shield results listed as wins. The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup is not considered a UEFA competition, and hence Arsenal's record in the Fairs Cup is not considered part of its European record (although they won it in (/wiki/1969–70Inter-CitiesFairsCup), at a time when participation was based on league position).

Most supported clubs by Londoners

2024 YouGov poll

<table><thead><tr><th>Percentage of fans polled who live in London (YouGov, 2024)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Club</td><td>%</td><td>Sample</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>33%</td><td>3,020</td></tr><tr><td>Aston Villa</td><td>8%</td><td>933</td></tr><tr><td>Bournemouth</td><td>13%</td><td>277</td></tr><tr><td>Brentford</td><td>53%</td><td>215</td></tr><tr><td>Brighton & Hove Albion</td><td>5%</td><td>546</td></tr><tr><td>Burnley</td><td>1%</td><td>219</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>38%</td><td>1,629</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Palace</td><td>41%</td><td>421</td></tr><tr><td>Everton</td><td>6%</td><td>666</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>49%</td><td>194</td></tr><tr><td>Liverpool</td><td>11%</td><td>2,936</td></tr><tr><td>Luton Town</td><td>3%</td><td>177</td></tr><tr><td>Manchester City</td><td>18%</td><td>1,290</td></tr><tr><td>Manchester United</td><td>13%</td><td>3,879</td></tr><tr><td>Newcastle United</td><td>2%</td><td>1,554</td></tr><tr><td>Nottingham Forest</td><td>2%</td><td>555</td></tr><tr><td>Sheffield United</td><td>2%</td><td>298</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>22%</td><td>1,836</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>23%</td><td>1,078</td></tr><tr><td>Wolverhampton Wanderers</td><td>4%</td><td>502</td></tr></tbody></table>

Domestic honours

English football champions

• Titles (clubs): 21 (3) • Runners-up (clubs): 23 (5)

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Winning years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>13</td><td>12</td><td>1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1970–71, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>1954–55, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2016–17</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>1950–51, 1960–61</td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Charlton Athletic</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Outside of those five, the highest league positions of London clubs which have played in the top-flight are 3rd (Crystal Palace, West Ham United), 5th (Brentford), 6th (Wimbledon), 7th (Fulham), 10th (Millwall), and 22nd (Leyton Orient).

FA Cup

There have been seven all-London FA Cup finals the first being in 1967 between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Arsenal have won three all-London affairs, Spurs and West Ham both two. Chelsea have featured in four (a joint record with Arsenal) losing all four.

Arsenal playing Chelsea - two of London's most successful FA Cup teams.

<table><thead><tr><th>Final No.</th><th>Season</th><th>Winners</th><th>Score</th><th>Runners–up</th><th>Venue</th><th>Attendance</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>86th</td><td>1966–67</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>2–1</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>Wembley Stadium (original)</td><td>100,000</td></tr><tr><td>94th</td><td>1974–75</td><td>West Ham United</td><td>2–0</td><td>Fulham</td><td>Wembley Stadium (original)</td><td>100,000</td></tr><tr><td>99th</td><td>1979–80</td><td>West Ham United</td><td>1–0</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>Wembley Stadium (original)</td><td>100,000</td></tr><tr><td>101st</td><td>1981–82</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>1–1 1–0 (Replay)</td><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>Wembley Stadium (original)</td><td>100,000 , 90,000 (Replay)</td></tr><tr><td>121st</td><td>2001–02</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>2–0</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>Millennium Stadium</td><td>73,963</td></tr><tr><td>136th</td><td>2016–17</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>2–1</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>Wembley Stadium (new)</td><td>89,472</td></tr><tr><td>139th</td><td>2019–20</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>2–1</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>Wembley Stadium (new)</td><td>0[B]</td></tr></tbody></table>

• Titles (clubs): 42 (9) • Runners-up (clubs): 25 (10)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>14</td><td>7</td><td>1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020</td><td>1927, 1932, 1952, 1972, 1978, 1980, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018</td><td>1915, 1967, 1994, 2002, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1991</td><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td>Wanderers</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>1872, 1873, 1876, 1877, 1878</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>1964, 1975, 1980</td><td>1923, 2006</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Palace</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>2025</td><td>1990, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Charlton Athletic</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1947</td><td>1946</td></tr><tr><td>Clapham Rovers</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1880</td><td>1879</td></tr><tr><td>Wimbledon</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1988</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>1975</td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Millwall</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>2004</td></tr></tbody></table>

EFL Cup

• Titles (clubs): 12 (4) • Runners-up (clubs): 20 (5)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>1965, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2015</td><td>1972, 2008, 2019, 2022, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>1971, 1973, 1999, 2008</td><td>1982, 2002, 2009, 2015, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>2</td><td>7</td><td>1987, 1993</td><td>1968, 1969, 1988, 2007, 2011, 2018, 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1967</td><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>1966, 1981</td></tr></tbody></table>

FA Community Shield

• Titles (clubs): 30 (5) • Runners-up (clubs): 24 (7)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won ( denotes shared)</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>17</td><td>7</td><td>1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023</td><td>1935, 1936, 1979, 1989, 1993, 2003, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>1921, 1951, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1991</td><td>1920, 1982</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>1955, 2000, 2005, 2009</td><td>1970, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1964</td><td>1975, 1980</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Palace</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2025</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td></td><td>1908, 1912</td></tr><tr><td>Corinthian</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td></td><td>1927</td></tr><tr><td>Wimbledon</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td></td><td>1988</td></tr></tbody></table>

Second Division / Championship (Tier 2)

• Titles (clubs): 16 (9) • Runners-up (clubs): 18 (9)

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Winning years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1948–49, 2000–01, 2021–22</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>1983–84, 1988–89</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>1957–58, 1980–81</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1919–20, 1949–50</td></tr><tr><td>Queens Park Rangers</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1982–83, 2010–11</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Palace</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1978–79, 1993–94</td></tr><tr><td>Charlton Athletic</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1999–2000</td></tr><tr><td>Brentford</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1934–35</td></tr><tr><td>Millwall</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1987–88</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Leyton Orient</td><td>–</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

London football in Europe

Football in London

• Titles (clubs): 14 (5) • Runners-up (clubs): 8 (6)

UEFA Champions League

• Titles (clubs): 2 (1) • Runners-up (clubs): 3 (3)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2012, 2021</td><td>2008</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>2006</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>2019</td></tr></tbody></table>

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

• Titles (clubs): 5 (4) • Runners-up (clubs): 3 (2)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1971, 1998</td><td>–</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1994</td><td>1980, 1995</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1965</td><td>1976</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1963</td><td>–</td></tr></tbody></table>

UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League

• Titles (clubs): 5 (2) • Runners-up (clubs): 4 (3)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1972, 1984, 2025</td><td>1974</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2013, 2019</td><td>–</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>–</td><td>2000, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>2010</td></tr></tbody></table>

UEFA Conference League

• Titles (clubs): 2 (2) • Runners-up (clubs): 0 (0)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2023</td><td>–</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2025</td><td>–</td></tr></tbody></table>

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

• Titles (clubs): 1 (1) • Runners-up (clubs): 1 (1)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1970</td><td>–</td></tr><tr><td>London XI</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1958</td></tr></tbody></table>

UEFA Super Cup

• Titles (clubs): 2 (1) • Runners-up (clubs): 5 (3)

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th><th>Years runner-up</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>1998, 2021</td><td>2012, 2013, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>1994</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>–</td><td>2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

UEFA Intertoto Cup

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Winners</th><th>Runners-up</th><th>Years won</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2002</td></tr></tbody></table>

London football in FIFA Club World Cup

Football in London

• Titles (clubs): 2 (1) • Runners-up (clubs): 1 (1)

Stadium

Wembley Stadium

The Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Wembley Stadium, in north-west London, is the national football stadium, and is traditionally the home of the FA Cup Final as well as England's home internationals. The original stadium of the same name was closed in 2000 in order to be demolished and completely rebuilt, and reopened in 2007; during the closure Cardiff's Millennium Stadium was the venue for cup finals, while England played at various venues around the country. Wembley was one of the venues for the 1966 FIFA World Cup, as well as UEFA Euro 1996 and (/wiki/UEFAEuro2020), hosting the final of all three tournaments. It also was the venue for the European Cup final in 1968, 1978, 1992, 2011 and 2013. With a 90,000-capacity, it is the second largest stadium in Europe.

Other stadiums

Most clubs in London have their own stadium, although some clubs share, and some clubs may temporarily take up a tenancy at another's ground due to their own ground being redeveloped. The largest operational football stadium in London apart from Wembley is Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a capacity of 62,850. Other large stadiums include West Ham United's London Stadium (62,500), Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (60,704) and Chelsea's Stamford Bridge (40,343). There are 10 stadiums in London (apart from Wembley) with capacities over 18,000.

Attendances

Football in London

The top 10 football clubs from London with the highest average home league attendance in the 2024-25 league season:

<table><thead><tr><th>#</th><th>Club</th><th>Average</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>West Ham United FC</td><td>62,464</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur FC</td><td>61,127</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Arsenal FC</td><td>60,251</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Chelsea FC</td><td>39,611</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Fulham FC</td><td>26,826</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Crystal Palace FC</td><td>25,064</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Queens Park Rangers FC</td><td>15,856</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Millwall FC</td><td>15,490</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Charlton Athletic FC</td><td>15,255</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>AFC Wimbledon</td><td>8,008</td></tr><tr><td>Average per club</td><td>32,983</td></tr></tbody></table>

Administration

Football in London

London is the location of the headquarters of the Football Association, at Wembley Stadium (formerly Soho Square and Lancaster Gate), while the Premier League's offices are located in Marylebone. The Football League maintains its headquarters in Preston, although its commercial offices are based in Marylebone as well.