Ask the question, “which is the best soccer league in the world?” and the answer will depend on a lot of factors. Where you ask it, who you are asking, and which country they are from. Naturally, common answers will come up, but this is an ongoing debate that is not likely to stop any time soon. Two of the more popular answers that seem to appear are the English Premier League and Italian Serie A. That’s not to say that the Bundesliga, the French Ligue A, or the Spanish La Liga do not also figure prominently – they do – but with Italy and England so commonly named, we can stick to those for now.
In Italy, football is loved by millions. Juventus, Milan, Inter , or Lazio, or any Serie A team – you will find fans that are fiercely loyal to both their chosen club, and also to the style of play. As clubs, they are worshipped; as businesses, they are highly valuable; and as commercial enterprises, they have a plethora of revenue streams. In terms of betting, for example, Serie A and the EPL are big businesses. Although you can find soccer betting tips for pretty much any and every club in Europe and beyond, these two leagues are some of the most popular with those who love to place a sports bet.
In terms of pure popularity, which we can often measure by television or online viewing figures, they are clear winners, but that is only part of the story. If we are talking about soccer in Italy, we are talking about history, tradition, loyalty, a silky smooth style of play on the field, and a way of playing the game that is known for being superb. England also sees a great form of football being played: it is perhaps faster, more rugged, more combative in some ways, but still comparable with the Italian approach. As you can see already, the pub, bar, restaurant, living room, and coffee table conversations focus on many things when it comes to which is better – Serie A or the EPL. Digging a little deeper seems like a good idea.
Soccer Supporters, Streaming Figures: It All Adds to the Serie A Standings
I don’t suppose it is fair to use pure numbers of supporters to decide whether Serie A is the most popular or loved football league in the world. Even so, these statistics do factor in. Few supporters, even those in England, have the pure passion that Serie A fans have. I’ve been to both Italian league games and plenty in England, and the intensity is, I must say, just that little bit higher in the Serie A stadia. It’s a permanent fever pitch, and those watching around the world supporting these teams are just as passionate.
With Serie A fans now able to watch sports network coverage of their teams and stream live matches from all over the world, Serie A is way beyond something just watched in Italy or Europe. It is a globally loved league these days. On their own, these things don’t definitively settle any argument about on-the-pitch supremacy, any more than how many UEFA Champions League titles have been won by Serie A clubs versus EPL teams, but they do matter. The substance of these figures is important, with Italian football fans living everywhere from the USA to Australia, Canada to China, and all points between, Serie A is now, like the EPL, a worldwide sporting phenomenon. No wonder the two leagues have such respect for each other.
With the global Italian communities being so numerous, Serie A is benefitting a lot from online and global television audiences. Add to this the online content, the apps, the streaming services, and the fan forums dedicated to all things Italian football, and you will soon see why the argument can be made that it is not only rivalling the EPL in terms of popularity, but it is equal to it.
Player Power Pays, As Serie A Continues to Attract Top Footballers
We can’t question the fact that certain clubs have a draw that is almost impossible to explain. Think Juventus, Milan, Milan, Lazio, Sampdoria… and more. On the other side, we’ve got Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and many other giants. The list of luminaries and superstars to have represented these clubs – in both areas – is almost endless.
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane to Diego Maradona, Roberto Baggio to Dino Zoff, Serie A has played host to some of the most famous and greatest players in footballing history. Again, this is perhaps why it rivals the EPL, which has a similarly star-studded list when it comes to great footballers that have played there. One look at the market value of Serie A clubs highlights that these clubs can, of course, afford to pay such stars, but they must want to play there. Many are eager to take the chance when these Italian giants come knocking.
By way of conclusion, I think it is fair to say that Serie A witnesses, and has witnessed for many, many years, some of the best football ever played. Without belittling other leagues, which are also worthy of mention, Serie A and the EPL are always considered rivals when it comes to the best league in the world. Whether it is television viewing figures around the world, club merchandise sales figures, match attendance numbers, superstars playing in the leagues, or even their overall popularity on social media, one thing is certain: Serie A clubs are beloved and the debate about how it stacks up against the EPL will continue to rumble on for as long as these leagues exist.