Seasons In Top Flight

Seasons Spent in the Top Flight of English Football by Clubs from 1888-89 to 2026-27

Last updated on 30 May 2026

This page ranks the clubs with the most seasons in the Top Flight of English football, covering every campaign from 1888-89 to 2026-27. The Clubs that have spent the longest time in the English Top Flight are Everton with 124 seasons, Aston Villa with 113, Liverpool with 112 and Arsenal with 110. As the highest tier within the English Football Leagues system, the top flight has been home to many of the country’s most successful clubs throughout its history. It also lists the ever-present Premier League clubs — Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur — all of which have featured in every season since the competition’s inaugural 1992-93 campaign. Below you’ll find the full ranking of clubs by total top-flight seasons, plus a separate table showing the consecutive seasons in the top flight for the current Premier League sides.

Seasons in English Top Flight 1888-89 to 2026-27 (128 Seasons)

No.	Club	Badge	Seasons
1	Everton		124
2	Aston Villa		113
3	Liverpool		112
4	Arsenal		110
5	Manchester United		102
6	Manchester City		98
7	Newcastle United		95
8	Tottenham Hotspur		92
9	Chelsea		92
10	Sunderland		88
11	West Bromwich Albion		81
12	Bolton Wanderers		73
13	Blackburn Rovers		72
14	Wolverhampton Wanderers		71
15	West Ham United		68
16	Sheffield Wednesday		66
17	Derby County		65
18	Sheffield United		63
19	Stoke City		62
20	Nottingham Forest		61
21	Burnley		61
22	Middlesbrough		61
23	Birmingham City		57
24	Leicester City		56
25	Leeds United		55
26	Southampton		47
27	Preston North End		46
28	Coventry City		35
29	Portsmouth		33
30	Fulham		32
31	Huddersfield Town		32
32	Notts County		30
33	Ipswich Town		28
34	Blackpool		28
35	Crystal Palace		27
35	Norwich City		27
37	Charlton Athletic		26
38	Queens Park Rangers		23
39	Bury		22
40	Luton Town		17
41	Cardiff City		17
42	Brighton and Hove Albion		14
43	Watford		14
44	Wimbledon FC		14
45	Oldham Athletic		12
46	Bradford City		12
47	Grimsby Town		12
48	Brentford		11
49	AFC Bournemouth		10
50	Bristol City		9
51	Swansea City		9
52	Wigan Athletic		8
53	Hull City		6
54	Accrington (Th' Owd Reds)		5
55	Bradford Park Avenue		3
56	Oxford United		3
57	Reading		3
58	Darwen		2
59	Millwall		2
60	Glossop		1
61	Carlisle United		1
62	Swindon Town		1
63	Northampton Town		1
64	Leyton Orient		1
65	Barnsley		1

Consecutive Seasons in Top Flight for Current Season’s Premier League Clubs 

No.	Club	Badge	Dates	Seasons
1	Arsenal*		1919-20	101
2	Everton		1954-55	73
3	Liverpool		1962-63	65
4	Manchester United		1975-76	52
5	Tottenham Hotspur		1978-79	49
6	Chelsea		1989-90	38
7	Manchester City		2002-03	25
8	Crystal Palace		2013-14	14
9	Brighton and Hove Albion		2017-18	10
10	Newcastle United		2017-18	10
11	Aston Villa		2019-20	8
12	Brentford		2021-22	6
13	Fulham		2022-23	5
14	AFC Bournemouth		2022-23	5
15	Nottingham Forest		2022-23	5
16	Leeds United		2025-26	2
17	Sunderland		2025-26	2
18	Coventry City		2026-27	1
19	Ipswich Town		2026-27	1
20	Hull City		2026-27	1

*Arsenal were “elected” to the Top Flight in season 1919-20.

They remain the only club since the formation of the Football League in 1888-89 who never earned their place on merit.

BOLD = Premier League club season 2026-27

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Seasons In Top Flight

Here’s a handy list of FAQs to help you navigate the thrilling history of the Seasons In Top Flight. We’ve pulled together the most common queries from footy fans, covering lists of English football clubs by how many seasons they’ve played in the top division from 1888-89 to 2025-26, plus consecutive seasons data for current Premier League teams.

Which club has spent the most seasons in the English top flight?

Everton have spent the most seasons in the top flight of English football, with 123 seasons up to 2025-26.

Which clubs have played over 100 seasons in the English top division?

Everton, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal have all surpassed 100 seasons in the English top flight.

What is meant by the “top flight” in English football?

The “top flight” refers to the highest division in English football, including the Football League First Division before 1992 and the Premier League since 1992.

When did the English top flight begin?

The English top flight began with the formation of the Football League in the 1888-89 season.

Which current Premier League clubs have the longest continuous stay in the top flight?

Arsenal are known for one of the longest uninterrupted runs in the top division, while Everton also maintained a long continuous spell after returning in 1954.

How many clubs have played in the English top flight?

A total of 65 clubs have played in the English top flight from 1888-89 to 2025-26.

Does the table include Premier League seasons?

Yes. The data combines Football League First Division seasons and Premier League seasons to create a complete top-flight history.

Which clubs are among the most successful in English top-flight history?

Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton are among the clubs with the richest histories in England’s top division due to their longevity and title success.

Why are seasons in the top flight important in football history?

They show a club’s long-term consistency, tradition and ability to compete at the highest level of English football over many decades.

Where can I find more English football historical statistics?

You can explore more historical league tables, champions, records and club statistics on MyFootballFacts.com.