Although the soccer season never really stops and fans are able to watch games just about all through the year, the summer is the time when many of the big European leagues stop and give their players a well-earned break. Although, soccer fans can still get their fix with a number of major international tournaments.
If you are not a soccer fan – yet – you may still have noticed that this summer has seen the European Championship taking place in Germany and the Copa America, in which nations from across the Americas have competed to determine the regional champion. Media coverage has been wall-to-wall and all the best sportsbooks in Vegas have offered their opinions too.
These big tournaments always attract new converts to the “world’s favorite sport”. So, if you have caught soccer fever for the first time, you may need a little help in knowing what to watch next. Here’s our guide to the big European leagues you might be interested in – as well as a few more local options to consider.
English Premier League
Considered by many to be the biggest and best soccer league in the world, the English Premier League, sometimes referred to as just the Premier League – or even the EPL – is undoubtedly the richest. Multi-billion dollar television broadcasting deals ensure that the clubs involved are the wealthiest on the planet and can afford to sign many of the best players.
This means that many of the athletes that you will have enjoyed watching at the Euros and Copa America will be on show in England’s top tier. The most successful teams include Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United and the season runs from the beginning of August to the end of May,
La Liga
Although the EPL has most of the richest and most known soccer clubs, there are a few exceptions – and they can be found in La Liga, Spain’s top tier. Real Madrid is still the wealthiest club in the world and can also be considered the most successful in Europe, having won the most Champions League titles in history.
Barcelona is the other massive La Liga club to look out for and the rivalry between Spain’s top two teams has to be seen to be believed. The La Liga season runs to the conventional FIFA calendar, like the EPL, and although one of the big two usually ends up winning the title, there are some very good other teams showcasing talent from across the world, particularly from Latin America.
Bundesliga
The top soccer league in Germany does not always attract a lot of the world’s most famous stars – and that is largely down to the way it is governed. Strict rules are in place that state that all clubs must be at least 50% owned and run by members. This gives the fans a much more important say in the running of things, compared to the other leagues in this article.
There may not be quite as much money in the Bundesliga but that does not mean that there are not some classic teams. The other major attraction of the German league is that the fan culture is incredible. If you want to find out more about soccer fans and still watch some of the biggest clubs in Europe, then the Bundesliga might be the one for you.
Serie A
There was a time in the 1990s when Italy’s Serie A was the destination for the best soccer players in the world. The TV deals were not quite as eye-wateringly large back then and the Italian clubs could still attract quality talent to play and live in some of the most beautiful locations on Earth.
For a number of reasons, Serie A cannot quite compete with the very richest clubs across Europe these days. But there is a fine history to be found in Italy. Milan, Inter, Juventus, Roma, and Napoli are all teams that any real soccer fan will know and love – and the standard of play is reaching new heights again recently, with Serie A teams regularly reaching the finals of the European club competitions.
Ligue 1
Most of the leagues we have mentioned so far may well be familiar if you have even a little soccer knowledge. But France’s Ligue 1 may be new to you. It is considered as one of the “Big Five” in Europe but has traditionally not offered much in the way of successful clubs or players.
That all changed in 2011 when Paris Saint-Germain were taken over by a group owned by the Qatari government. Their billions could afford to buy some of the best players in the world and the club has largely dominated French soccer ever since. PSG (as the club is known) is still waiting for its first Champions League title; however, it is an achievement that would truly prove that it belongs at the top table.
MLS and Local Soccer
Of course, you don’t have to plan your soccer-viewing habits in line with European time zones. Major League Soccer (MLS) began life in 1996 and has been the most successful national soccer league in the US, with some Canadian teams added to include all of North America.
There are now 29 teams across the two nations, with many major cities represented. You may also be aware that Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in the world, is currently playing for Inter Miami, so you can be sure of a good standard of play.
But if you really want to find out more about soccer, why not take a trip to your local sports fields, or see if your city has its own minor league team? Soccer thrives in these smaller clubs and you will get to learn and love so much more about the beautiful game that way.
