The echoes of history resonate through the oldest football leagues in the world, each kick of the ball narrating tales of rivalries, triumphs, and the evolution of a global obsession.
As the beautiful game evolved from its humble beginnings on muddy fields to dazzling stadiums under bright lights, one thing has remained constant: the enduring spirit of competition.
It’s this spirit that has driven the creation and sustenance of some of the oldest football leagues, surrounding the rich history and evolution of the sport itself.
This imagery transports us to the early days of football, where leather boots met well-worn balls, and the concept of organized league play was just taking shape.
These pioneering leagues, with their rich pasts and traditions, have set the stage for the global football phenomenon we cherish today.
From the rugged terrains of England’s industrial cities to the sun-soaked streets of South America, the history of football leagues reads like a thrilling narrative of dedication, togetherness, and sheer love for the game.
Now, let’s check them out.
- 1. English Football League (EFL) – 1888
- 2. Northern Football League (NFL) – 1889
- 3. Argentine Primera División – 1891
- 4. Belgian Pro League – 1895
- 5. Swiss Super League – 1897
- 6. Serie A – 1898
- 7. Calcutta Football League – 1898
- 8. Uruguayan Primera División – 1900
- 9. Nemzeti Bajnokság (Hungarian League) – 1901
- 10. Mumbai Football League 1902
- 11. Campeonato Paulista – 1902
- 12. Hong Kong First Division League – 1908
- 13. Austrian Bundesliga – 1911
- 14. Besta Deildin (Iceland) -1912
- 15. Football League of Ireland (FLI) – 1921
- 16. Swedish Allsvenskan – 1924
- 17. La Liga – 1929
- 18. Ligue 1 – 1932
- 19. Chilean Primera División – 1933
- 20. Portuguese Primeira Liga – 1934
1. English Football League (EFL) – 1888
Founded in 1888, the English Football League (EFL) holds the record of being the world’s first organized football league. Prior to its establishment, football matches were ad hoc and unstructured.
In response, twelve club representatives convened at a Manchester hotel, pioneering the inception of a structured league to bring order to the sport.
In the inaugural 1888 EFL season, Preston North End, Aston Villa, and Everton, among twelve clubs, each contested 22 matches. This novel framework assessed team performance across the season to determine the ultimate victor, with Preston North End emerging as the pioneer champion.
The EFL’s influence was profound. It spurred the creation of analogous leagues in other countries and ignited global enthusiasm for football.
Evolution saw the EFL expand, introducing additional divisions: the EFL Championship, League One, and League Two.
2. Northern Football League (NFL) – 1889
Established in 1889, this football league ranks as the world’s second-oldest, trailing only the English Football League. Split into two divisions, Division One and Division Two, it epitomizes football’s enduring significance.
Division One stands as the 9th tier in English football, situated five levels below the renowned Football League.
Having teams from regions like Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, and Yorkshire’s North Riding, each brings a distinctive sporting approach, rendering the competition truly unique.
In Division One, the pinnacle is clinching the championship, marking excellence, and a promotion to the Northern Premier League. This coveted step underscores the season-long dedication.
3. Argentine Primera División – 1891
In 1891, the Association of Argentine Football League (AAFL) was founded, introducing the first football league outside the British Isles.
Notably, Alex Lamont from St. Andrew’s Scots School was among its board members. The inaugural Primera División matches occurred on April 12, 1891, featuring Buenos Aires FC vs. St. Andrew’s and Old Caledonians vs. Belgrano FC.
Initially, a yearly double round-robin tournament determined the champion based on points. An exception was made in 1936 when the winners of the Copa de Honor and the Campeonato contended for the title. This format persisted until 1966.
During this era, the dominant forces were the “Big Five” clubs: River Plate, Boca Juniors, Independiente, Racing, and San Lorenzo. Over 36 years, no other team claimed the league title except these five.
In 1951, Banfield posed a significant challenge by tying Racing Club’s points, yet lost 1–0 in a two-legged playoff, granting Racing the title.
4. Belgian Pro League – 1895
The Belgian football league’s genesis started in the 1895–96 season, with a seven-team round-robin tournament crowning FC Liégeois as the maiden champion. FC Liégeois and RC de Bruxelles dominated the early years, securing the first eight titles.
Initially devoid of promotion and relegation, the system evolved with Athletic and Running Club de Bruxelles replacing withdrawn teams. Seasons fluctuated between single and dual leagues, culminating in two-legged finals.
A single-league format in 1904–05 featured 11 teams, but Athletic and Running Club de Bruxelles’ withdrawal prompted a promotion-relegation system from 1906.
Union Saint-Gilloise claimed four consecutive titles in 1906–07, followed by RC de Bruxelles, and CS Brugeois clinched their debut championship narrowly.
Expanding from 10 to 12 teams in 1907–08, the league promoted champions RC de Gand and ESC Forest while eliminating relegation.
World War I’s approach saw Daring Club de Bruxelles emerge, with Union Saint-Gilloise as rivals, each securing titles. Since 1911–12, the league instituted a regular promotion-relegation system involving two teams.
5. Swiss Super League – 1897
The Swiss Football Association was founded in 1895, yet initial challenges with teams’ travel expenses hindered the establishment of a yearly competition.
In 1897, an unofficial championship called the Ruinart Cup, organized by “La Suisse Sportive,” provided a solution. Mostly featuring French-speaking teams, Grasshopper Club Zürich emerged victorious.
The official championship began in 1898-99, won by Anglo-American Club against Old Boys Basel. However, until 1900, Swiss-German teams (except one from Neuchâtel) participated due to Sunday match disputes.
From 1900 to 1907-08, Zürich teams dominated: Grasshoppers triumphed thrice, FC Winterthur twice, and FC Zürich once. Others like Servette, St. Gallen, and Young Boys also tasted success.
Young Boys clinched three consecutive titles (1908-1911), followed by FC Aarau, Montriond LS (now Lausanne-Sport), SC Brühl, and Cantonal Neuchâtel FC claiming their first titles.
This era witnessed varied winners, devoid of a dominant force.
6. Serie A – 1898
Serie A, in its modern form, originates from the 1929-30 season. Before this, from 1898 to 1922, regional divisions structured the competition. Responding to growing participation, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) acted.
In 1921, the FIGC separated from the CCI, establishing the precursor to Lega Serie A—the Lega Nord in Milan.
After CCI reintegration, the FIGC formed two interregional divisions, rebranded “Categories” as “Divisions,” and bifurcated FIGC sections into northern and southern leagues.
By 1926, prompted by internal challenges and fascist pressures, the FIGC integrated southern teams, culminating in the 1929-30 season’s definitive setup.
The Serie A Championship title, or “scudetto,” dates to 1923-24. Winning teams don a tricolor coat of arms in the following season.
Juventus leads with 36 titles, followed by Inter Milan and AC Milan with 19 each.
7. Calcutta Football League – 1898
The Calcutta Football League (CFL) is a prominent league in West Bengal, India, organized by the Indian Football Association (IFA).
Dating back to 1898, it holds the distinction of being Asia’s oldest football league and one of the earliest worldwide. The CFL employs a seven-tier pyramid system and boasts over 8,500 registered IFA players annually, solidifying its premier status.
Shaped by the British Indian Army and European settlers at Fort William, the league’s history is intertwined with colonial influence.
The Army teams reigned supreme until 1933, with Calcutta claiming eight of the remaining twelve titles.
In its early years, the CFL excluded native teams for 15 seasons, favoring clubs designated for civil servants, merchants, and missionaries—an exclusionary practice crafted to exclude Indians of different backgrounds.
8. Uruguayan Primera División – 1900
The Uruguayan Primera División started in 1900. In 1923-1925, a separation arose in Uruguayan football, spawning the creation of the Federación Uruguaya de Football (FUF) alongside the official Association (AUF). The FUF and AUF operated independently.
Government intervention led to the dissolution of the FUF in 1926.
The Provisional Council orchestrated a championship to reunify the FUF and AUF, with Peñarol prevailing in the top group. Nonetheless, these titles weren’t recognized by AUF or FIFA.
Between 1930 and 1975, Nacional and Peñarol monopolized the championship. Defensor disrupted the duopoly in 1976, ending the streak.
Only Nacional and Peñarol clinched consecutive titles, each boasting five consecutive victories in separate periods. The longest break from their dominance spanned 1987 to 1991.
Post-1994, the competition was divided into the Opening Championship (Torneo Apertura) and Closing Championship (Torneo Clausura), culminating in a season-ending final between the winners of these two tournaments.
9. Nemzeti Bajnokság (Hungarian League) – 1901
Also recognized as NB I, the premier tier of the Hungarian football league.
The inaugural championship in 1901 witnessed the participation of teams such as BTC, MUE, FTC, Műegyetemi AFC, and Budapesti SC, with the latter clinching the championship.
While Budapesti TC secured the first two titles, the remaining championships of that decade were claimed by FTC and MTK.
During the 1910s and 1920s, Ferencváros and MTK emerged as dominant forces in the championship race.
The 1930s bore witness to an intensification of the rivalry between Ferencváros and MTK Budapest, further enriched by the inclusion of another formidable club, Újpest FC, which was not based in Budapest at the time.
A standout figure of Hungarian football in the 1930s was Újpest’s Zsengellér, a three-time consecutive top goalscorer during that era. Sárosi of Ferencváros, Cseh of MTK Budapest, and Zsengellér of Újpest epitomized the spirited competition among these three Budapest-based clubs, collectively known as the Budapest derby.
10. Mumbai Football League 1902
The Mumbai Football League, also known as the Harwood League, is orchestrated by the Mumbai Football Association (MFA). It’s a multi-tiered contest involving over 300 teams across five divisions.
As Mumbai’s premier football league and Asia’s second-oldest after Calcutta Football League, it honors Colonel Hardwood, founder of the Bombay Football Association.
The league’s dual sections, MFA Elite Premier League for private clubs and MFA Elite Corporate League for institutions employ a round-robin format.
Top three teams advance to the Harwood Champions League for the ultimate division victory, while bottom teams face relegation to the Super Division.
11. Campeonato Paulista – 1902
The Campeonato Paulista Série A1, often known as the Campeonato Paulista or Paulistão, is the prime professional football league in São Paulo, Brazil. Governed by the FPF, this league hosts 16 prominent clubs, with matches typically held from January to April.
Famed for intense rivalries, especially among Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos, and São Paulo, it houses Brazil’s renowned football giants.
Dating to 1902 and formalizing professional status in 1933, the Campeonato Paulista stands as Brazil’s oldest established league.
The highest tier (Série A1) embraces 20 clubs. A fresh format introduced in 2007 involves round-robin play, followed by a four-team playoff with home-and-away matches.
Teams finishing 5th to 8th, excluding São Paulo and Santos-based squads, contest for the “Campeão do Interior” (Upstate Champion) title. Concurrently, the league relegates the bottom four teams to Série A2 for the next year.
12. Hong Kong First Division League – 1908
The Hong Kong First Division League, a prominent tier in local football, has a heritage dating back to 1908, ranking as Asia’s third oldest.
Although it once reigned as Hong Kong’s premier division until 2014, it now stands as the second-highest tier following the emergence of the Hong Kong Premier League.
Throughout its history, 29 clubs have claimed championship titles, with South China’s 41 victories since 1941 leading the pack.
Each team engages in home and away encounters, with ticket proceeds bolstering the host’s earnings. Concurrent matches in the same venue ensure equitable profit sharing.
The league’s structure offers a pathway to promotion and relegation: the top two contenders secure a Premier League promotion, while the bottom pair faces demotion to the Hong Kong Second Division.
13. Austrian Bundesliga – 1911
The Austrian Football Federal League stands as the pinnacle within the Austrian football league hierarchy.
This esteemed competition not only determines the national football champions of Austria but also designates the country’s representatives for the various prestigious European cups orchestrated by UEFA.
An important milestone occurred in the 2016-17 season when, due to Austria’s retention of the sixteenth position in the UEFA association coefficient rankings following the 2015-16 season, the league secured its inaugural spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Emerging in the 1974-75 season, the Austrian Bundesliga gained distinct autonomy as a registered association on December 1, 1991.
Notably, the championship has predominantly been dominated by two prominent Viennese powerhouses—Austria Wien, claiming the national title 24 times, and Rapid Wien, emerging victorious 32 times.
14. Besta Deildin (Iceland) -1912
Iceland’s premier men’s football league. Established in 1912 as the Icelandic Championship, this competition weathers the country’s challenging winters and graces the spring and summer months (April to September).
Overseen by the Football Association of Iceland (KSI), the league comprises 12 teams engaged in home-and-away fixtures.
At season’s end, the two lowest-scoring teams are relegated to the 1. deild karla (First Division), while two top-performing teams from the latter ascend to the higher echelon.
The Úrvalsdeild champion gains passage to the UEFA Champions League’s second qualifying round, while the second, third, and fourth-place finishers earn spots in the UEFA Europa League’s first qualifying round.
Championship tallies reflect KR’s 27 titles, Valur’s 23, and both ÍA and Fram Reykjavík’s 18 apiece. FH holds 8 titles, and Víkingur has 6.
The reigning 2022 titleholder is Breidablik.
15. Football League of Ireland (FLI) – 1921
The debut season featured an impressive eight-team lineup, all originating from County Dublin. This formidable group had previously showcased their prowess in the Leinster Senior League during the 1920-21 season. Notable founding members encompassed Bohemians, Dublin United, Frankfort, Jacobs, Olympia, St James’s Gate, Shelbourne, and YMCA.
Of particular significance, Bohemians and Shelbourne had earlier contested the 1919-20 Irish League.
Claiming the inaugural title was St James’s Gate, with a remarkable treble that included victories in the FAI Cup and the Leinster Senior Cup. This triumphant season marked the inception of the League of Ireland’s illustrious journey.
Advancing to the 1922-23 season, the league embraced growth, admitting twelve teams.
Among the new entrants, Shamrock Rovers stood out, clinching the title in their debut season. A pivotal moment for geographical inclusivity came when Athlone Town, the first non-Dublin team, joined the League of Ireland.
16. Swedish Allsvenskan – 1924
The Allsvenskan, a unifying single-league structure comprised of twelve teams, emerged as a successor to the Svenska Serien, which was divided into southern and northern groups.
This transformative shift took place in a momentous transition. Commencing in 1931, the Allsvenskan took on the major role of determining the Swedish football champions.
In its initial stages, the Allsvenskan maintained a division between teams hailing from Norrland, Gotland, and higher league tiers.
However, this exclusionary paradigm gradually evolved, incorporating Norrland and Gotland teams into higher echelons of the league system.
A major milestone occurred in the 1959 Allsvenskan when the commencement of the season transitioned from autumn to spring, aligning the league’s timeline within a single calendar year.
By 1973, the league expanded to 14 teams, indicative of its growing significance in the football landscape.
17. La Liga – 1929
In 1929, Spain introduced its pioneering national football league, La Liga, kicking off its inaugural season in February and wrapping up by June.
The initial setup featured the Primera División, a solitary division encompassing ten clubs. As years passed, the league’s composition evolved, reaching a milestone in 1987 when it embraced a roster of 20 clubs.
While this structure persisted for the most part, a fleeting deviation occurred from 1995 to 1997, during which the league briefly accommodated 22 clubs before reverting to its 20-club framework.
Throughout La Liga’s history, 62 teams have graced its premier ranks. Presently, the league features 20 teams, engaging in a double round-robin format where each team faces every other both home and away.
Since 1929, dominance in the league has been shared among a select few. A notable exception was the 1936-37 season, canceled due to the Spanish Civil War.
Real Madrid has secured the title 34 times and clinched second place 23 times. Barcelona has 27 titles and 26 runner-up positions.
Athletico Madrid celebrates 10 wins and 10 second-place finishes. Athletic Bilbao claims 8 titles and 7 times as the runner-up.
18. Ligue 1 – 1932
Georges Bayrou, Emmanuel Gambardella, and Gabriel Hanot pioneered professionalism in French football in 1932.
This led to the debut of the all-professional league, “National,” in 1932-1933. The league included 20 founding teams such as Olympique Lillois, Cannes, and more.
The clubs were divided into two groups of 10, with relegation for the bottom three from each. Group winners would compete in a final, held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir.
The first final on May 14, 1933, saw Olympique Lillois from Group A defeat Group B’s runner-up, Cannes, becoming inaugural champions.
Though Antibes initially qualified, suspicions of bribery led to their disqualification.
After the season, the league chose to retain the 14 clubs, foregoing promotions from the second division. This pivotal era still resonates in French football history.
19. Chilean Primera División – 1933
The inaugural edition of the Chilean First Division in 1933, also known as the Championship of the Division of Honor of the Professional Football League of Santiago 1933, marked the dawn of the premier tier of Chilean football.
This official and professional competition encapsulated the essence of the 1933 season and unfolded from July 22 to November 5 of the same year.
The orchestration of this pioneering event fell under the purview of the Santiago Professional Football League (LPF), and it featured the participation of eight noteworthy teams.
The competition followed an all approach, employing a single-round format where each team engaged in matches against all others.
The emerging winner of this historic competition was Magallanes.
Their journey culminated in a thrilling 2-1 victory against Colo-Colo in the championship’s defining showdown, thereby securing Magallanes their maiden Chilean Primera División title.
20. Portuguese Primeira Liga – 1934
Formed in 1934 as the Campeonato da Liga da Primeira Divisão, it later adopted the title Campeonato Nacional da Primeira Divisão from 1938 to 1999, before settling on its present name.
Over 70 teams have participated, yet only five have clinched the title.
The dominant “Big Three” – Benfica (38 wins), Porto (30), and Sporting CP (19) – have largely monopolized the championship, with Belenenses (1945–46) and Boavista (2000–01) securing the remaining titles.
In recent times, the Primeira Liga’s prestige has surged, claiming the sixth spot in UEFA’s national league ranking as of 2021.
It made history in the 2011–12 season by surpassing the French Ligue 1, traditionally part of the “big five” European leagues, a feat last accomplished in 1990. Furthermore, IFFHS’s 2011 ranking ranked the Primeira Liga fourth on a global scale.
Other Oldest Soccer Football Leagues In The World
- Paraguayan Primera División -1906
- Liga I – Romania – 1909
- Greek Super League – 1927
- Norwegian Eliteserien – 1937
- Netherlands Eredivisie – 1956
- Turkish Süper Lig – 1959
- Brazilian Série A – 1959
- Bundesliga – 1963
- Danish Superliga – 1991
- Premier League- 1992
- Czech First League – 1993
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