London is home to more professional football clubs than any other city in the world. From historic giants like Arsenal and Chelsea to local icons such as Millwall and Leyton Orient, the capital’s football landscape is rich, diverse, and deeply rooted in the culture of its boroughs. Whether you’re visiting London or simply curious about its football scene, this guide covers every professional club currently competing in England’s top four divisions – including stadium info, rivalries, and achievements.
This evergreen article is regularly updated to reflect league changes, stadium developments, and new milestones in club histories.
📚 Table of Contents
- ⚽ Premier League Clubs in London
- 🦁 Championship Clubs in London
- 🎯 League One & League Two Clubs
- 🗺️ Map of London’s Football Clubs
- 📊 Full Comparison Table
- 🔥 London Derbies & Rivalries
- 🏆 History & Achievements
⚽ Premier League Clubs in London
In the 2025/26 season, seven clubs from Greater London compete in the Premier League—more than any other city in the UK.
- Arsenal FC – Emirates Stadium, Islington. Founded 1886
- Brentford FC – Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. Founded 1889
- Chelsea FC – Stamford Bridge, Fulham. Founded 1905
- Crystal Palace FC – Selhurst Park, Croydon. Founded 1905
- Fulham FC – Craven Cottage, Fulham. Founded 1879
- Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Haringey. Founded 1882
- West Ham United – London Stadium, Stratford. Founded 1895
🦁 Championship Clubs in London
The EFL Championship includes three London clubs this season:
- Queens Park Rangers (QPR) – Loftus Road, Shepherd’s Bush.
- Millwall FC – The Den, Bermondsey.
- Charlton Athletic – The Valley, Greenwich.
🎯 League One & League Two Clubs
While the spotlight often shines on Premier League giants, London’s football culture is deeply enriched by clubs competing in the lower divisions. For the 2025/26 season, two clubs from the capital play in League One, and two more represent London in League Two.
- Leyton Orient FC – Brisbane Road (Gaughan Group Stadium), Leyton (Waltham Forest). Founded in 1881. Competing in League One.
- AFC Wimbledon – Plough Lane, Wimbledon (Merton). Founded in 2002. Also in League One following promotion in 2025.
- Barnet FC – The Hive Stadium, Canons Park (Harrow). Founded in 1888. Playing in League Two after promotion from the National League.
- Bromley FC – Hayes Lane, Bromley. Founded in 1892. Newly promoted to League Two for the 2025/26 season.
🗺️ Map of London’s Football Clubs
Below is a map and borough overview of all professional football clubs in Greater London competing in the 2025–26 season:
📍 Color-Coded Marker List
🔴 Premier League Clubs (Color: Red)
- Arsenal FC – Emirates Stadium, London N7
- Brentford FC – Gtech Community Stadium, Lionel Road S, Brentford TW8
- Chelsea FC – Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London SW6
- Crystal Palace FC – Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Rd, London SE25
- Fulham FC – Craven Cottage, Stevenage Rd, London SW6
- Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, High Road, London N17
- West Ham United – London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20
🔵 Championship Clubs (Color: Blue)
- Queens Park Rangers – Loftus Road, South Africa Rd, London W12
- Millwall FC – The Den, Zampa Road, London SE16
- Charlton Athletic – The Valley, Floyd Rd, London SE7
🟢 League One Clubs (Color: Green)
- Leyton Orient – Brisbane Road, Brisbane Rd, London E10
- AFC Wimbledon – Plough Lane, London SW17
🟡 League Two Clubs (Color: Yellow)
- Barnet FC – The Hive Stadium, Camrose Ave, Edgware HA8
- Bromley FC – Hayes Lane, Bromley BR2
📊 Full Comparison Table
| Club | League | Stadium | Borough | Capacity | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal FC | Premier | Emirates Stadium | Islington | 60,704 | 1886 |
| Brentford FC | Premier | Gtech Community Stadium | Hounslow | 17,250 | 1889 |
| Chelsea FC | Premier | Stamford Bridge | Hammersmith & Fulham | 40,343 | 1905 |
| Crystal Palace FC | Premier | Selhurst Park | Croydon | 25,486 | 1905 |
| Fulham FC | Premier | Craven Cottage | Hammersmith & Fulham | 25,700 | 1879 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Premier | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Haringey | 62,850 | 1882 |
| West Ham United | Premier | London Stadium | Newham | 62,500 | 1895 |
| Queens Park Rangers | Champ. | Loftus Road | Hammersmith & Fulham | 18,439 | 1882 |
| Millwall FC | Champ. | The Den | Southwark | 20,146 | 1885 |
| Charlton Athletic | Champ. | The Valley | Greenwich | 27,111 | 1905 |
| Leyton Orient | League 1 | Brisbane Road | Waltham Forest | 9,271 | 1881 |
| AFC Wimbledon | League 1 | Plough Lane | Merton | 9,215 | 2002 |
| Barnet FC | League 2 | The Hive Stadium | Harrow | 6,500 | 1888 |
| Bromley FC | League 2 | Hayes Lane | Bromley | 5,000 | 1892 |
🔥 London Derbies & Rivalries
London’s football rivalries are among the most intense and historic in world football. With 14 professional clubs across multiple tiers, derby matches happen almost every weekend — each with its own legacy and local pride. Here are the most notable ones:
🔴 North London Derby: Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Arguably the fiercest rivalry in London. Since Arsenal’s move to North London in 1913, these two clubs — based just 6 km apart — have developed a deeply passionate and often hostile derby. The matches regularly draw global attention and are loaded with local pride.
🔵 West London: Chelsea, Fulham, QPR, Brentford
West London boasts four clubs within just a few miles: Chelsea and Fulham share a postcode, while Brentford and QPR are only minutes away. While Chelsea dominates in silverware, local fixtures between Fulham, Brentford and QPR maintain a fierce neighbourhood energy.
🟣 South London: Crystal Palace, Millwall, Charlton Athletic
South London derbies are rugged and unpredictable. Millwall’s rivalry with Charlton has deep working-class roots, while Palace vs. Millwall carries political and territorial undertones. Charlton and Palace also maintain strong derby tension.
🟠 East London Focus: West Ham United vs. Millwall (historic)
Though they rarely play in the same league, West Ham and Millwall share one of the most bitter rivalries in English football — rooted in dockyard labour history and 20th-century hooliganism. Known more for intensity than frequency, this derby is still infamous.
🟢 Modern & Localized Rivalries
- Brentford vs. Fulham – An increasingly heated modern West London matchup, especially since both clubs have shared Premier League seasons.
- Wimbledon vs. Charlton/Leyton Orient – Regional rivalries emerging from consistent meetings in League One.
- Bromley vs. Barnet – As newer League Two members, this Greater London pairing may build a regular derby in seasons to come.
🏆 History & Achievements
London’s football legacy is not only built on local rivalries, but also on decades of success at home and in Europe. Clubs from the capital have lifted every major trophy in the English game — and several continental titles as well. Here’s how the honours stack up:
🏆 English League Titles (Top Division)
- Arsenal FC – 13 titles (most recent: 2004)
- Chelsea FC – 6 titles (most recent: 2017)
- Tottenham Hotspur – 2 titles (last in 1961)
Note: Fulham, Palace, Brentford and West Ham have never won the top-flight league, but have had strong Premier League eras in recent seasons.
🏆 FA Cup Wins
- Arsenal FC – 14 titles (record holders)
- Chelsea FC – 8 titles
- Tottenham Hotspur – 8 titles
- West Ham United – 3 titles
- Charlton Athletic – 1 title (1947)
🏆 EFL Cup (League Cup) Titles
- Chelsea FC – 5 wins
- Tottenham Hotspur – 4 wins
- Arsenal FC – 2 wins
- West Ham United – 0 (finalists in 1966, 1981)
🌍 European Honours
- Chelsea FC – 2x UEFA Champions League (2012, 2021), 2x Europa League
- Arsenal FC – 1x Cup Winners’ Cup, 1x Europa League finalist
- Tottenham Hotspur – 2x UEFA Cup wins
- West Ham United – 1x UEFA Europa Conference League (2023), 1x Cup Winners’ Cup (1965)
🎖️ Fun Facts & Legacy Milestones
- Arsenal were the first London club to go a full Premier League season unbeaten (2003/04).
- Fulham were the first English team to play in a European final via UEFA’s Fair Play route (2010 Europa League final).
- Wimbledon FC famously won the 1988 FA Cup, beating Liverpool — before later relocating (now succeeded by AFC Wimbledon).
🧾 Conclusion: London’s Football Diversity
Whether you’re a fan of global giants like Arsenal or Chelsea, or prefer the intimate charm of clubs like Leyton Orient or Bromley FC, London offers an unrivalled football experience across all levels of the game. The capital’s mix of historic rivalries, modern stadiums, and passionate fanbases makes it a true powerhouse of English and European football culture.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
👉 How many professional football clubs are there in London?
There are 14 professional clubs in Greater London competing in the top four tiers of English football during the 2025/26 season.
👉 Which is the most successful London football club?
Arsenal leads in domestic trophies with 13 league titles and 14 FA Cups. Chelsea dominates in Europe with two Champions League wins and multiple international honours.
👉 What is the fiercest derby in London?
The North London Derby — Arsenal vs. Tottenham — is the most historic and emotionally charged rivalry in the capital.
👉 Which club is newest to the Football League?
Bromley FC entered League Two in 2025, marking their first season as an EFL club after winning promotion from the National League.
👉 Can I visit multiple stadiums in a day?
Yes! Many London stadiums are within a few kilometres of each other — especially in West and South London — and easily reachable via tube or rail.