National Sports Champions
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Who is the world's most successful sports team? The New York Yankees, Manchester United, and Real Madrid have all won their national leagues multiple times, and in the process have become iconic global brands recognised for their sporting success.
There are however always challengers arising from the chasing pack, and the balance of power is shifting over time. Fulled by an enormous financial backing Manchester City has taken six of the last seven English Premier League titles, and over in the USA, the Golden State Warriors are creating their own NBA dynasty from their Californian base.
“The New York Yankees, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are arguably some of the most successful and famous sporting clubs”
Statistically, Glasgow Rangers are the most successful sports team in the world with a total of 55 league titles. However with a virtual duopoly in the Scottish Premiership (85% of all available titles have either been won by Celtic or Rangers) it's hardly an apples-to-apples comparison when judging their success with teams in other more competitive leagues. Ultimately there are many ways to slice the data and there is no definitive answer to which team is the most successful. However, Real Madrid who has 36 Spanish national titles and 15 Champions League wins is the intuitive answer to say 'yes' they are the best.
The 'National Sports Champions' table shows the three most successful teams and the latest champion for all of the world's biggest sports leagues.
| Sport & League | Country | First | Second | Third | Latest Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Football NFL |
USA | Green Bay Packers (13) |
Chicago Bears (9) |
New York Giants (8) |
Kansas City Chiefs () |
| Australian Rules AFL |
Australia | Essendon (16) |
Carlton (16) |
Collingwood (16) |
Brisbane Lions () |
| Baseball NPB |
Japan | Yomiuri Giants (22) |
Saitama Seibu Lions (13) |
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (11) |
Yokohama DeNA BayStars () |
| Baseball MLB |
USA & Canada | New York Yankees (27) |
St. Louis Cardinals (11) |
Oakland Athletics (9) |
LA Dodgers () |
| Basketball NBA |
USA & Canada | Boston Celtics () |
Los Angeles Lakers (17) |
Golden State Warriors (7) |
Boston Celtics (18) |
| Canadian Football CFL |
Canada | Toronto Argonauts (18) |
Edmonton Elks (14) |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12) |
Montreal Alouettes (8) |
| Cricket Cricket T20 |
Australia | Perth Scorchers (5) |
Sydney Sixers (3) |
Brisbane Heat () |
Brisbane Heat (2) |
| Cricket County Cricket |
England | Yorkshire CCC (32) |
Surrey CCC () |
Middlesex CCC (11) |
Surrey CCC (23) |
| Cricket Cricket T20 |
India | Mumbai Indians (5) |
Chennai Super Kings (5) |
Kolkata Knight Riders () |
Kolkata Knight Riders (3) |
| Football MLS |
USA & Canada | Los Angeles Galaxy (5) |
D.C United (4) |
Columbus Crew () |
Columbus Crew (3) |
| Football Premier League |
England | Manchester United (20) |
Liverpool (19) |
Arsenal (13) |
Manchester City () |
| Football Ligue 1 |
France | Paris Saint-Germain () |
Saint-Étienne (10) |
Marseille (9) |
Paris Saint-Germain (12) |
| Football Bundesliga |
Germany | Bayern Munich (33) |
FC Nürnberg (9) |
Borussia Dortmund (8) |
Bayer Leverkusen (1) |
| Football Eredivisie |
Holland | Ajax (36) |
PSV Eindhoven () |
Feyenoord (16) |
PSV Eindhoven (25) |
| Football Serie A |
Italy | Juventus (36) |
Inter Milan () |
AC Milan (19) |
Inter Milan (20) |
| Football Primeira Liga |
Portugal | Benfica (38) |
Porto (30) |
Sporting Lisbon () |
Sporting Lisbon (20) |
| Football Premiership |
Scotland | Rangers (55) |
Celtic () |
Hearts (4) |
Celtic (54) |
| Football La Liga |
Spain | Real Madrid () |
Barcelona (27) |
Athletico Madrid (11) |
Real Madrid (36) |
| Football Champions League |
Europe | Real Madrid (15) |
AC Milan (7) |
Liverpool (6) |
Real Madrid (15) |
| Ice Hockey NHL |
USA & Canada | Montreal Canadiens (24) |
Toronto Maple Leafs (13) |
Detroit Red Wings (11) |
Florida Panthers () |
| Rugby League NRL |
Australia & New Zealand | South Sydney Rabbitohs (21) |
Sydney Roosters (15) |
St. George Illawarra Dragons (15) |
Penrith Panthers (6) |
| Rugby League Super League |
England & France | Wigan Warriors () |
St Helens (16) |
Leeds Rhinos (11) |
Wigan Warriors (24) |
| Rugby Union Premiership |
England | Leicester Tigers (11) |
Bath RFC (6) |
Saracens (6) |
Northampton Saints () |
| Rugby Union United Rugby |
Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy, South Africa | Leinster (8) |
Ospreys (4) |
Munster (4) |
Glasgow Warriors () |