The most successful clubs in EPL history is a phrase that stirs fierce debate in pubs, forums, and sportsbooks alike. Are we measuring by Premier League titles alone? Or counting all top-flight English titles, domestic cups, European trophies, and global honours? Today, CantoKick will accompany you through the glory, the records, and the legends — laying out which teams truly deserve to be called the greatest in Premier League / top-flight history.
What “Success” Means in Premier League History
Before unveiling the top clubs, we must clarify what “successful” really means in this context. When fans debate the most successful clubs in EPL history, they often refer to:
- Top-flight league titles (Premier League era + old First Division)
- Domestic cups (FA Cup, League Cup / EFL Cup)
- European / continental honours (Champions League / European Cup, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup, etc.)
- Global trophies (Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup)
Some lists focus purely on Premier League titles won since 1992; others consider the full historical record. To offer a balanced perspective, we’ll assess success across both metrics — and show which clubs dominate under each lens.
Premier League Era: Dominance in the Modern Era
Since the Premier League launched in 1992, only a handful of clubs have claimed the trophy. Here’s where the modern dynasties lie.
Premier League Titles by Club
- Manchester United remain the benchmark: 13 Premier League titles (1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13).
- Manchester City have risen rapidly: 8 Premier League titles (2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) edia])
- Chelsea: 5 Premier League crowns (2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2016-17)
- Arsenal: 3 Premier League titles (1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04)
- Liverpool: 2 Premier League titles (2019-20, 2024-25)
- Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City each won 1 Premier League title (1994-95, 2015-16 respectively)
Under the lens of Premier League success alone, Manchester United leads historically, though Manchester City’s recent dominance has closed the gap. Liverpool’s 2024–25 title pushed them into the mix.
Records & Milestones of the Premier League Era
The modern era has seen some landmark records:
- Most titles (Premier League only): Manchester United (13)
- Longest consecutive wins: Manchester City won 4 in a row (2020–21 to 2023–24)
- Undefeated season (“the Invincibles”): Arsenal’s 2003–04 campaign (26 wins, 12 draws)
These statistics alone place Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal in elite territory — but they don’t tell the full story.
All-Time English Football Success: Beyond the Premier League
To truly crown the most successful clubs in EPL history, many fans and analysts include pre-1992 successes and other major trophies. Let’s see how clubs stack up when history is considered in full.
League Titles — First Division + Premier League
Counting all top-flight championships:
- Liverpool and Manchester United each now have 20 English top-flight titles (First Division + Premier League)
- Arsenal: 13 league titles (10 in old First Division, 3 in Premier League)
- Manchester City: 10 league titles total (pre- and post-1992)
- Everton: 9 top-flight league titles (historical strength)
- Aston Villa: 7 top-flight league titles in English history
So on the basis of all-time league titles, Liverpool and Manchester United sit atop the throne.
Major Trophies Tally (Domestic + European)
Trophies beyond just the league offer dee.
- Liverpool is often considered the most decorated club in English history, with a very high total of major trophies (English league, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cups, UEs, etc.).
- Manchester United also boasts a huge haul, thanks in large part to the Fergie era’s dominance domestically and in Europe.
- Arsenal is known for consistent domestic cup success and strong league finishes.
- Chelsea: thanks to the Roman Abramovich era and continued European success, Chelsea has climbed into the up.
- Manchester City: their recent trophy proliferation (league, cups, European) has added serious weight — they now compete among historic heavyweights on total honours., here’s a rough bracket of clubs with major trophy counts:
| Club | Approximate Major Trophies* | Strengths |
| Liverpool | Among the very top | European dominance, consistent cup success |
| Manchester United | Very close to Liverpool | Domestic dominance, European finals |
| Manchester City | Rising fast | Recent league + European haul |
| Chelsea | Strong | European cups + domestic cups |
| Arsenal | Historic consistency | FA Cup + strong league record |
| Everton, Aston Villa | Respectable | Historic league and cup records |
* “Major” includes top-flight titles, FA Cups, League Cups, and continental trophies.
Given that Liverpool and Manchester United tie at 20 league titles apiece in 2025, the balance in all-time success tilts toward those two — and among them, many argue that Liverpool’s combined domestic and European achievements place them marginally ahead.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Liverpool vs Manchester United
When two giants share the same league titles, the finer margins matter more:
- European Success: Liverpool have won the European Cup / Champions League 6 times, plus other continental trophies. Manchester United have 3.
- Consistency in Cups: Manchester United’s dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson added many FA Cups, League Cups, and UEFA trophies.
- Recent Era: Manchester City’s ascent has disrupted the old duopoly, but Liverpool reclaimed relevance by winning the 2024-25 league title.
In terms of legacy, global fan base, and historic peak eras, many pundits give Liverpool the edge — though United’s influence and brand remain colossal.
Other Notables: Clubs That Punched Above Their Weight
- Chelsea: A comparatively younger dynasty, but one that revolutionized success in the modern era. Their European trophies (Champions League, Europa League) and domestic cup haul give them a strong case among the most successful.
- Arsenal: The Invincibles season, multiple FA Cups, consistent top-4 finishes — Arsenal’s brand of success is steady and elegant, if not explosive.
- Manchester City: Their trophy surge in the 2010s and 2020s continues to rewrite history — they are now entrenched among the “most successful clubs in EPL history” conversations.
Why the Debate Never Ends
Fans fight over whether “most successful” means most league titles, most trophies overall, or era dominance. The tension is part of why the phrase most successful clubs in EPL history keeps trending. Some want the nostalgia of the old guard, while others point to the new era as proof that modern success counts more.
Acknowledging legacy while respecting modern shifts is key — after all, clubs live through eras. And while Manchester United once towered alone, Liverpool’s resurgence and City’s rise suggest that success in the Premier League is never static.
Conclusion
The most successful clubs in EPL history are not defined by a single metric — but by legacy, trophies, mythology, and consistency. If you measure by Premier League titles alone, Manchester United still leads. Looking across all English league history, Liverpool and Manchester United tie at 20 top-flight titles each. But when you factor in cups, European trophies, and global glory, Liverpool tends to emerge narrowly on top, with United close behind. Meanwhile, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City have amassed their own compelling cases in modern eras.
If you enjoyed this deep dive, CantoKick invites you to explore individual club biographies, season-by-season trophy trackers, or head-to-head comparisons. Want to read about “Top 5 European trophies by English clubs” or “Manchester City’s trophy surge in 2020s”? Just ask — we’ll keep you coming back for the facts, the drama, and the debate.
