Emojis, speed and colonialism. Why do people like the Premier League, and just how much do they like it?

It’s the beginning of August, so the new Premier League season has begun. We won’t be sharing transfer news or predicting which team will prevail at the end of this season. We would like to share some ideas about viewers’ moods as they wait for the coming season, how often they are ready to watch matches, and which matches from previous seasons viewers cherish.

We’ll also share fans’ explanations of why the English Premier League is, simply put, the most popular league on the planet.

According to numerous reports—including this one —the English Premier League is the most closely watched European football league and possibly the most popular worldwide.

We decided to explore why. By reviewing discussions on Reddit and Quora, we found that fan opinions could be grouped into four main reasons for the league’s popularity.

Speed and Spectacular Elegance

Many fans point to the league’s speed and entertainment value. While other leagues are often praised for tactics, the Premier League is described as intense, dramatic, and relentlessly energetic.

“First, because they are really good to watch. Fast. Energetic. Skilful. Goals. Second, many people watch them, which makes it easier to connect with other fans.” — teetoose, Reddit

“Any mid or low table team in the Premier League can be exciting to follow. Even weaker teams have captivating drama around them.” — craciunc93, Reddit

“Because it's the best quality soccer.” — cheetah-21, Reddit

Marketing That Drives

Fans often credit the Premier League’s early and aggressive global marketing as a major factor in its dominance.

“Money. The Premier League spent ridiculous amounts early on marketing the league worldwide. Now it markets itself.” — ChrisGadge, Quora

Familiar Language and Commentators

English-language broadcasting makes the league accessible to a global audience. Fans also praise the diversity of players and the quality of commentary.

“It’s because of the English language and how widely it’s understood throughout the world.” — Ok_Giraffe6654, Reddit

It’s All in the Thrill

Unpredictability is another major draw. Unlike other leagues dominated by one or two clubs, the Premier League offers genuine uncertainty throughout the table.

“You never know which team will beat the other. That’s not the case in La Liga or the Bundesliga.” — Krishna Menan, Quora

So, how do we watch its matches?

Survey participants ranged from lifelong fans to newcomers. Club support was evenly distributed among top Premier League teams.

While some fans enjoy commenting on matches themselves, most prefer professional commentary. Toxic comments, however, are widely disliked.

The most memorable Premier League match for fans was Manchester City vs Queens Park Rangers on May 13, 2012, ending 3–2.

Emoji Bonus

Fans were asked to describe their Premier League emotions using emojis. Here are the top five:

Together, these emotions perfectly capture the unpredictable future of every Premier League season.