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 five of the last six 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 35 Spanish national titles and 14 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)
Collingwood
(16)
Baseball
NPB
Japan Yomiuri Giants
(22)
Saitama Seibu Lions
(13)
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
(11)
Hanshin Tigers
(2)
Baseball
MLB
USA & Canada New York Yankees
(27)
St. Louis Cardinals
(11)
Oakland Athletics
(9)
Texas Rangers
(1)
Basketball
NBA
USA & Canada Boston Celtics
(17)
Los Angeles Lakers
(17)
Golden State Warriors
(7)
Denver Nuggets
(1)
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
(21)
Middlesex CCC
(11)
Surrey CCC
(21)
Cricket
Cricket T20
India Mumbai Indians
(5)
Chennai Super Kings
(5)
Kolkata Knight Riders
(2)
Chennai Super Kings
(5)
Football
MLS
USA & Canada Los Angeles Galaxy
(5)
D.C United
(4)
Columbus Crew
(3)
Columbus Crew
(3)
Football
Premier League
England Manchester United
(20)
Liverpool
(19)
Arsenal
(13)
Manchester City
(9)
Football
Ligue 1
France Paris Saint-Germain
(11)
Saint-Étienne
(10)
Marseille
(9)
Paris Saint-Germain
(11)
Football
Bundesliga
Germany Bayern Munich
(33)
FC Nürnberg
(9)
Borussia Dortmund
(8)
Bayern Munich
(33)
Football
Eredivisie
Holland Ajax
(36)
PSV Eindhoven
(24)
Feyenoord
(16)
Feyenoord
(16)
Football
Serie A
Italy Juventus
(36)
Inter Milan
(19)
AC Milan
(19)
Napoli
(3)
Football
Primeira Liga
Portugal Benfica
(38)
Porto
(30)
Sporting Lisbon
(19)
Benfica
(38)
Football
Premiership
Scotland Rangers
(55)
Celtic
(53)
Hearts
(4)
Celtic
(53)
Football
La Liga
Spain Real Madrid
(35)
Barcelona
(27)
Athletico Madrid
(11)
Barcelona
(27)
Football
Champions League
Europe Real Madrid
(14)
AC Milan
(7)
Liverpool
(6)
Manchester City
(1)
Ice Hockey
NHL
USA & Canada Montreal Canadiens
(24)
Toronto Maple Leafs
(13)
Detroit Red Wings
(11)
Vegas Golden Kinghts
(1)
Rugby League
NRL
Australia & New Zealand South Sydney Rabbitohs
(21)
Sydney Roosters
(15)
St. George Illawarra Dragons
(15)
Penrith Panthers
(5)
Rugby League
Super League
England & France Wigan Warriors
(23)
St Helens
(16)
Leeds Rhinos
(11)
Wigan Warriors
(23)
Rugby Union
Premiership
England Leicester Tigers
(11)
Bath RFC
(6)
Saracens
(6)
Saracens
(6)
Rugby Union
United Rugby
Scotland, Wales
Ireland, Italy
Leinster
(8)
Ospreys
(4)
Munster
(4)
Munster
(4)

National Champions

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