SherifDetermining the most successful club in England depends on whether you measure by total major trophies, league titles alone, or success in European competition. The most authoritative approach is to count major honours, which includes league championships, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and major European trophies, while excluding one-off Super Cups and the old Club World Cup format.
Based on this criteria, Liverpool stands as England’s most decorated club, narrowly ahead of Manchester United, with Arsenal completing the top three.
Top 10 Most Successful Clubs in England
1. Liverpool – 47 Major Honours
Liverpool are England’s most successful club, with 47 major trophies to their name. The Anfield club has won 20 league titles, a record 10 League Cups, and 6 European Cups/Champions League titles, which is also a record for an English club.
Their most recent major honour was the 2024-25 Premier League title, which pulled them level with Manchester United on 20 English league championships. Liverpool also hold the record for the most European trophies won by an English club, with 13 across all continental competitions.
2. Manchester United – 44 Major Honours
Manchester United rank second with 44 major honours, three behind Liverpool. The Red Devils dominated English football under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning 13 Premier League titles, and they hold a joint-record 20 league championships alongside Liverpool.
United have also won 13 FA Cups and 3 European Cups/Champions League titles, making them one of only two English clubs to have won the European Cup more than twice. Their most recent major trophy was the 2024-25 Europa League, which they reached the final of but lost to Tottenham.
3. Arsenal – 31 Major Honours
Arsenal rank third with 31 major honours. The Gunners have won 14 league titles and a record 14 FA Cups, making them the most successful club in the history of English cup football.
Their most recent major honour was the 2025-26 Premier League title, which ended a 22-year wait for a league championship. Arsenal’s only European trophy is the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup, though they reached the 2026 Champions League final, losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.
4. Manchester City – 29 Major Honours
Manchester City rank fourth with 29 major honours, 20 of which have been won since 2010. The Sky Blues have won 10 league titles, 8 FA Cups, and 9 League Cups, along with one Champions League title in 2023.
Their rise from mid-table obscurity to domestic dominance following the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group is one of the most dramatic transformations in English football history. City won the League Cup and FA Cup in the most recently concluded season.
5. Chelsea – 26 Major Honours
Chelsea rank fifth with 26 major honours, 18 of which have come since 2004. The Blues have won 6 league titles, 8 FA Cups, and 5 League Cups, along with 2 Champions League titles, 2 Europa League titles, and the 2025 Conference League.
Their 2021 Champions League triumph over Manchester City made them the first London club to win the competition twice. Chelsea are also the first club to have won every major European trophy.
6. Aston Villa – 21 Major Honours
Aston Villa rank sixth with 21 major honours. The Midlands club has won 7 league titles, 7 FA Cups, and 5 League Cups, along with the 1982 European Cup and the 2025-26 Europa League.
Their Europa League triumph under Unai Emery ended a 44-year wait for a European trophy. Villa are one of only five English clubs to have won the European Cup.
7. Tottenham Hotspur – 18 Major Honours
Tottenham rank seventh with 18 major honours. Spurs have won 2 league titles, 8 FA Cups, and 4 League Cups, along with the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup and three UEFA Cup/Europa League titles.
Their 2025 Europa League victory over Manchester United ended a 41-year wait for a European trophy. Tottenham’s 2025 triumph also secured their place in the Champions League for the following season.
8. Everton – 15 Major Honours
Everton rank eighth with 15 major honours. The Toffees have won 9 league titles, 5 FA Cups, and the 1985 Cup Winners’ Cup. Despite their rich history, Everton have not won a major trophy since 1995, when they lifted the FA Cup.
Their 9 league championships place them fifth on the all-time list of English top-flight titles.
9. Newcastle United – 11 Major Honours
Newcastle rank ninth with 11 major honours. The Magpies have won 4 league titles, 6 FA Cups, and the 2025 League Cup, which ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
Their 2025 triumph was their first major honour since winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. Newcastle also reached the 2023 League Cup final before winning it two years later.
10. Blackburn Rovers – 10 Major Honours
Blackburn Rovers complete the top ten with 10 major honours. Rovers have won 3 league titles, including the 1994-95 Premier League crown under Kenny Dalglish, along with 6 FA Cups and one League Cup.
Their 1995 title remains one of the most memorable in Premier League history, as they pipped Manchester United to the championship on the final day.
Comparison Table
| No. | Club | Major Honours | League Titles | FA Cups | League Cups | European Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 47 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 6 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 44 | 20 | 13 | 6 | 3 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 31 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 29 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 26 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 21 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 18 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 8 | Everton | 15 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Newcastle United | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
Understanding Club Success
When evaluating the most successful clubs in England, it is essential to define which competitions count as “major.” The most widely accepted criteria include league championships, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and major European trophies, while excluding one-off Super Cups and the old Club World Cup format.
Liverpool’s lead over Manchester United is narrow and could change with future trophy wins, as United have a stronger record in the FA Cup and a larger total trophy count when including all competitions.
Arsenal’s record 14 FA Cups is unmatched, while Manchester City’s 20 trophies since 2010 represent the most dominant modern era of any English club.
Chelsea’s achievement of winning every major European trophy is a unique distinction.
Closing
Liverpool stand as England’s most successful club with 47 major honours, narrowly ahead of Manchester United on 44 and Arsenal on 31. The top five is completed by Manchester City and Chelsea, whose modern-era success has transformed them into perennial contenders.
From Liverpool’s record 6 European Cups to Arsenal’s record 14 FA Cups and Chelsea’s unique European clean sweep, these clubs represent the pinnacle of English football achievement.
Note that all trophy totals are subject to change as clubs continue to compete for honours.