The English Premier League (EPL) is the top level professional football league in England and one of the most popular sports leagues worldwide. Here is an overview of the league:
History
- Formed in 1992 after breaking away from the Football League First Division
- Replaced the First Division as the top tier of the English football league system
Competition Format
- 20 clubs compete annually for the title and qualification spots for UEFA competitions
- Uses a promotion/relegation system with the EFL Championship league
- Clubs play 38 matches over a season running from August to May
Most Successful Teams
- Manchester United (13 titles)
- Liverpool (19 titles)
- Arsenal (3 titles)
- Chelsea (5 titles)
Top Players
- Current stars include: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Harry Kane (Tottenham)
- Former legends include: Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer
Global Popularity
- Broadcast in 212 territories to 643 million homes
- Fan base estimated at 1 billion people globally
- Overseas TV rights account for major share of revenue
Finances
- Generated over £4.8 billion in revenue in 2017/18 season
- Record TV rights deal of £5.14 billion for 2019–2022 cycle
- Top clubs like Manchester United and Manchester City have annual revenues over £500 million
The English Premier League is the most-watched continuous football league globally. It features elite players, intense rivalries, fascinating storylines and high entertainment value. The EPL has helped transform football into England's most lucrative sport.