A beginners guide to Premier League Football

The Premier League 2026/27 season is right around the corner, and with being the biggest and most prestigious football championship in the world, there's a lot of stuff for new fans to learn. From how the teams are selected to the point systems, knowing the ins and outs of the Premier League makes for a much more fun viewing experience.

No matter if you’re a complete newbie or a long-term fan looking to refresh your knowledge, in this guide, we’re going to go through everything you need to know about the Premier League to get you ready for the new season.

What is the Premier League?

Being the most-watched football league in the world, there’s a good chance you’ve at least heard of the Premier League. It was first established in 1992, and it features 20 clubs that compete over a 38-match season, with each team playing every other team twice, once at home and once away. The league attracts some of the world's best players, managers, and millions of fans from across the globe thanks to its fast-paced matches, passionate rivalries, and unpredictable results.

At the end of each season, the team with the most points is crowned Premier League champion, while the lowest-performing clubs are relegated to the Championship and replaced by promoted teams. Due to its global popularity, it’s screened in over 200 countries, making it the number one-rated league in Europe.

When does the Premier League begin?

The Premier League starts in August of each year and runs for 9 months. The 2026/27 season starts on the 22nd of August 2026.

When does the Premier League end?

The 2026/27 season will end on the 30th of May, 2027, where one team will be crowned the champions and the three teams who scored the lowest will be relegated to England's second-tier championship.

How does the Premier League work?

The Premier League works on an organised points system, which is as follows:

  • Win - 3 points
  • Draw - 1 point
  • Loss - 0 points

At the end of the season, the club with the most points is crowned Premier League champion. If two or more teams finish with the same number of points, their positions are determined by goals scored, and then by other tiebreakers if necessary. The bottom three teams in the league are relegated to the second-tier Championship, while the top two teams from the Championship, along with the winner of the promotion play-offs, are promoted to the Premier League.

How do clubs get selected for the Premier League?

As mentioned above, clubs are selected for the Premier League winning championship games. At the end of every championship campaign, the top two teams are automatically promoted to the Premier League for the next season. Leaving the third to sixth-placed teams to fight it out for a place via a playoff system. The winner of the playoffs will join the other two teams and take the third promotion spot.

What and when is the Premier League transfer window?

The Premier League transfer window refers to the period of time during which players can be swapped and moved to different clubs before the season starts. There are two windows which are held simultaneously by all leagues around the world that allow players to move to and from clubs. This usually takes place from June/July until September.

The Premier League teams

The Premier League is home to 20 teams, each representing cities and communities across England. Every season features a mix of historic clubs with long-standing traditions and newly promoted teams looking to establish themselves among the country's elite. 47 teams have played in the Premier League across the last three decades; however, only seven teams have played every year since it started in 1992:

  • Arsenal
  • Aston Villa
  • Chelsea
  • Everton
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester United
  • Tottenham Hotspur

Which clubs have the most Premier League wins?

As of the 2026/27 season, Manchester United have the most Premier League wins out of any team with 13 wins. Other Previous winning teams include:

  • Manchester City - 8 wins
  • Chelsea - 5 wins
  • Arsenal - 4 wins
  • Liverpool - 2 wins
  • Blackburn Rovers - 1 win
  • Leicester City - 1 win

What is the prize for winning the Premier League?

The champions are awarded the iconic Premier League Trophy, complete with its distinctive gold crown, and receive gold medals for players and staff who have made significant contributions throughout the season. 

In addition to the prestige, the winning club earns a substantial financial reward. The Premier League is renowned for being one of the richest Leagues in the world, and the prize money reflects that, with previous champions winning up to £100 million for their clubs.

How can I watch and follow the Premier League?

The Premier League is broadcast in over 180 countries; the broadcaster you need depends on where you live. In the UK, live matches are shown across Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and selected fixtures on Amazon Prime Video during certain parts of the season.

Fans can also keep up with the action through match highlights, live scores, and news on the Premier League's official website and app.

Picking a Premier League team to support

Choosing a Premier League club to support is a personal decision, and there is no right or wrong answer. Some fans follow the team from their local area, while others are drawn to a club because of its history, playing style, famous players, or passionate supporters. You might enjoy watching several teams before deciding which one you connect with the most. It's also worth learning about each club's traditions, rivalries, and culture, as these are a big part of what makes supporting a team so rewarding.

Join in with the Fantasy Premier League

One of the best ways to become more involved in the Premier League is by playing Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the league's free online fantasy football game. In FPL, you build a squad of Premier League players while staying within a set budget, earning points based on their real-life performances each week. Goals, assists, clean sheets, and other statistics all contribute to your score, while you can make transfers throughout the season to improve your team

Whether you're a lifelong football supporter or completely new to the sport, Fantasy Premier League is an excellent way to learn about players, follow every fixture more closely, and make the Premier League season even more exciting.

How the Premier League has contributed to football

Being the richest and most prestigious League, the Premier League recognises its obligation to the rest of the English football community and has made significant contributions to players, clubs and more.

The league's financial success has enabled clubs to improve stadiums, invest in youth academies, and develop world-class training facilities that benefit future generations of footballers. Premier League clubs also like to get involved with local communities and use football to address common issues such as health and wellbeing, equality and social inclusion.

Get into the Premier League Spirit with Avec Sport

The Premier League is much more than just a football competition; it's a global sporting phenomenon that brings together world-class players, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments every season. Whether you're learning how the league works, choosing a club to support, following Fantasy Premier League, or simply enjoying the excitement of matchday, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Gear up to represent your team and show off your Premier League spirit with your own team wear kit. With customisable options, our team wear kits are great for replicating the style and colours of your favourite team so you can represent them with pride during the Premier League season.