The Premier League, often referred to exonymously as the English Premier League or the EPL (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited), is the top level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football League (EFL). Seasons run from August to May with each team playing 38 matches (playing all 19 other teams both home and away). Most games are played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Top scorers
Alan Shearer is the top scorer in Premier League history.
Rank | Player | Years | Goals | Apps | Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
1992–2006 | 260 | 441 | 0.59 |
2 | ![]() |
2002–2018 | 208 | 491 | 0.42 |
3 | ![]() |
1992–2008 | 187 | 414 | 0.45 |
4 | ![]() |
2011–2021 | 184 | 275 | 0.67 |
5 | ![]() |
1995–2015 | 177 | 609 | 0.29 |
6 | ![]() |
1999–2007 2012 |
175 | 258 | 0.68 |
7 | ![]() |
2012– | 166 | 245 | 0.68 |
8 | ![]() |
1993–2009 | 163 | 379 | 0.43 |
9 | ![]() |
2001–2003 2004–2014 2015–2019 |
162 | 496 | 0.33 |
10 | ![]() |
1996–2004 2005–2013 |
150 | 326 | 0.46 |
Trophy
The Premier League maintains two trophies—the genuine trophy (held by the reigning champions) and a spare replica. Two trophies are held for the purpose of making the award within minutes of the title being secured, in the event that on the final day of the season two clubs are still within reach of winning the League. In the rare event that more than two clubs are vying for the title on the final day of the season, a replica won by a previous club is used.
The current Premier League trophy was created by Royal Jewellers Asprey of London. It consists of a trophy with a golden crown and a malachite plinth base. The plinth weighs 33 pounds (15 kg) and the trophy weighs 22 pounds (10.0 kg). The trophy and plinth are 76 cm (30 in) tall, 43 cm (17 in) wide and 25 cm (9.8 in) deep.
The Premier League trophy

The gold Premier League trophy awarded to Arsenal for winning the 2003–04 title without defeat
