Premier League Primer: A Guide to the EPL, Its Teams, and How to Follow the Action

The English Premier League (EPL) stands as the highest level of professional football in England, having been established in 1992 to succeed the First Division. Over time, the league has become one of the most popular football leagues globally. The 2025-26 season is underway, starting with the Liverpool vs. Bournemouth match on August 15, 2025, and culminating on May 24, 2026. The league’s matches are available for live streaming and telecast on several OTT platforms, ensuring worldwide access. The EPL consists of 20 clubs each season, with each club playing twice against every other club—once at home and once away. Teams play 38 matches in total, resulting in 380 games throughout the season. The points system awards three points for a win, one for a draw, and no points for a loss. The team with the highest point total is crowned the champion of the English Premier League. The top four teams qualify for European competitions. The top three teams go straight into the UEFA Champions League group stage, while the fourth-placed team enters the playoff round. The fifth-placed team advances to the UEFA Europa League, and the teams finishing sixth and seventh qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Manchester United and Liverpool have each won the league 20 times, making them the most successful teams. Arsenal has 13 wins, while Manchester City has won 10. Liverpool currently holds the title. For viewers in India, the EPL is available live on Star Sports Select HD 1, with live streaming provided by JioHotstar.