UK Exchange newsletter: English football — in a league of its own?

Martin Odegaard lifts the Premier League trophy as Arsenal are crowned champions of the Premier League for the 2025-26 season. Michael Regan | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images This report is from this week's CNBC's UK Exchange newsletter. Like what you see? You can subscribe here. The dispatch As Martin Odegaard, Arsenal's captain, lifted the Premier League trophy at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park ground in south London on May 24, one could be forgiven for thinking all is well with English football (or soccer...). In winning their first league title in 22 years — and their 14th overall — Arsenal became the third different club to lift the trophy in as many seasons, following Liverpool in 2024-25 and Manchester City in 2023-24. That highlights a competition that's tougher than Europe's. Spain, the second-richest league after England, remains a duopoly between Barcelona and Real Madrid, who have been champions in 20 of the last 22 seasons. In Germany, Bayern Munich have won 13 of the last 14 seasons, while in France, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been title-winners in eight of the last nine. Of Europe's top leagues, only Italy's Serie A is as competitive as the Premier League, with four clubs — Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli — winning the title during the last seven years. English clubs are also thriving in international competitions. …