With the World Cup final a little over a month old, the most watched soccer league in the world opened up its season on Saturday, August 14. The Barclays Premiere League is the top ranked league in England and employs the best players from around the world. Some of the many stars that call the Premiere League home include England’s Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard, Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba, Argentina’s Carlos Tevez and Spain’s Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas.
The Premiere League is composed of twenty clubs from England. The top teams are comprised of the “Big Four”, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Over the years these four teams have won the majority of Premiere League titles. From 1997 up until last year, there have only been three different teams that have hoisted the Premiere League title. Manchester United has won 7 titles while defending champions Chelsea as well as Arsenal have won three a piece.
What separates the Premiere League from many sports in America is the process of relegation and promotion. Every year the bottom three teams in the league are relegated down to what is called the English League Championship and the top two teams as well as a team determined through a playoff are promoted to the Premiere League. Last years relegated teams are Hull, Burnley, and Portsmouth. These three teams are being replaced by Newcastle (champions), West Bromwich Albion (second place), and Blackpool, who were the play-off winners.
One of the best experiences in sports is going to a Premiere League game in one of the great stadiums that are in England. Located in London are two of the “Big Four” teams - Chelsea and Arsenal One of the gem stadiums of the league is the Emirates Stadium, home of the Arsenal Gunners. The Emirates was built in 2006 and holds a maximum capacity crowd of 60,335 which makes it the second largest stadium with Manchester United’s Old Trafford being the biggest in the league. The stadium itself is an astonishing sight with amazing sightlines. You cannot go wrong coming here to see a game.
Stamford Bridge is the home of Chelsea FC, the reigning champions of the league. With a capacity of 41,881, it is considerably smaller than the Emirates but it makes up for it in history. The stadium has gone through many renovations over the years but was originally opened in 1887 and has been home to the Chelsea FC since 1905. There is nothing like being at a game at “The Bridge.” Stamford Bridge gives you the feeling that you are on top of the pitch while you are in your seat. With the chanting and signing for The Blues there is nothing like spending an afternoon here.
Premiere Global Sports offers great packages to visit any of your favorite teams and stadiums in the Premiere League. Whether you’re a Manchester United fan and you want to see your team crush their rival Liverpool or you want to go to see Chelsea and Arsenal battle in the London Derby Premiere Global Sports can help you make the most of yoru soccer experience.
Robert Tuchman is the Sports Editor for Wandering Educators. He is the author of the book, 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live.
Feature photo: 11 September 2010, Manchester City 1 - 1 Blackburn
Manchester City's Carlos Tevez tries to evade Blackburn Rovers' Christopher Samba. Courtesy of Premier League