In “football”, the National Football League (NFL) and the English Premier League (EPL) reign supreme,  there  is even some sort of cold war for the right to the name football. It goes beyond sports and borders on religion. These leagues are more than simply sports; they are cultural phenomena. The match day rituals , where fans turn up in legions in their team colors, the TV watch-alongs  with popcorn, buffalo wings,pizza…., sports bars filled  with fans glued to the screens whilst having their favorite drinks, to streamers commenting whilst fans comment too . The banter, the  anxiety , the  joy, the tears and all other sorts of emotions. Millions bet on their favorite teams and a lot against their favorite teams. The advertisements, the financial pull, the million spent on salaries, elite trainers, elite athletes and elite supporting cast. The attention to detail on the pitch  and supreme logistics.  The pundits , the couch coaches, tabloids and article writers like this one, this is what these two supreme leagues bring to the table.  How do these two compare?

Popularity: Regional vs. Global Appeal_‍

NFL: The NFL is one of the most popular sport in the United States, with a fan base that spans nearly two-thirds of Americans. The Super Bowl, in particular, is a massive cultural event, drawing an average of 113 million viewers annually within the U.S., making it the most-watched television event in the country. However, outside North America, the NFL's appeal is more limited. Efforts to globalize the sport, such as hosting regular-season games in London and Mexico City, have seen some success, but the NFL remains primarily a U.S.-centric phenomenon. For instance, while the global reach of the Super Bowl is expanding—with around 62.5 million international viewers in 2024—the sport still does not resonate as strongly outside North America as it does within​(NFL.com,NFL.com).

EPL: In stark contrast, the English Premier League (EPL) boasts a truly global appeal. It is the most-watched football league in the world, with broadcasts reaching 643 million homes across 212 territories. The EPL’s global popularity is reflected in its massive international fan base, particularly in regions like Asia, Africa, and even the United States, where it has surpassed the NFL in popularity among certain demographics. Clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have developed immense followings that span continents, making the EPL not just a league, but a global cultural phenomenon. This extensive global reach gives the Premier League a significant edge in overall popularity​(Sportingpedia,S&P ).

Thought “Experiment”: If you ask someone outside of the United States to name their 5 favorite  quarterbacks, or their 5 favorite NFL teams, they will most likely struggle.  If you ask someone in the United States to name any single player who plays for Brighton , they will most likely not be able to.

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Economic Powerhouses with Top Earners

NFL: The NFL continues to be the financial titan of the sports world, with annual revenues exceeding $18 billion. This dominance is bolstered by massive TV deals that bring in around $10 billion each year. The NFL’s salary cap system is designed to maintain competitive balance, yet star players still secure extraordinary contracts. As of 2024, three quarterbacks—Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), and Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)—are tied as the highest-paid players in the league, each earning an average annual salary of $55 million. These contracts underscore the financial muscle of the NFL, where even mid-tier teams can afford to pay top dollar for elite talent​(Sporting News,Front Office Sports).

EPL: The Premier League, though smaller in financial scale compared to the NFL, still commands a significant global economic presence with revenues around £6.1 billion (approximately $7.8 billion) annually. The absence of a salary cap allows top clubs, particularly the "Big Six," to spend lavishly on player wages and transfers. In 2024, Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City tops the EPL salary rankings, earning £20.8 million annually, followed closely by his teammate Erling Haaland at £19.5 million. The financial disparity between the EPL’s elite clubs and the rest of the league is stark, but this has not diminished the league’s global appeal and financial success​(Deloitte United States,Spotrac). The salary cap for the EPL is however set to change in 2025 with clubs required to spend 85% of their earnings on wages(https://www.sportico.com/). 

Player contracts, ownership

• EPL players can be  bought and sold between clubs whilst in NFL player movement is controlled with trades between teams. 

Transfers

• The EPL has a specific transfer window which is in the summer up to the end of August and in January. In the NFL there is no traditional transfer window like the EPL, trades can occur anytime in the season until a trade deadline set around the midpoint of the season.

Relegation

• The EPL has a relegation system where the bottom 3 teams in the league at the end of the season are demoted to the lower division. This has huge financial impact and can lead to losing top players. In the NFL there is no relegation system. This leads to more financial stability. Poor performing teams tend to rebuild through drafts rather than selling or buying players.  Some EPL teams once flirted with the idea of a  super league similar to the NFL where teams are never relegated and joining would be by invitation. They faced a huge backlash. 

Season Length and Number of Games

• EPL: Each team in the English Premier League plays 38 games during the regular season. The league consists of 20 teams, and each team plays every other team twice (home and away), resulting in a total of 380 matches across the season.
• NFL: The NFL regular season consists of 17 games per team. The league is composed of 32 teams, divided into two conferences. Each team has one bye week during the 18-week season. Following the regular season, teams that qualify for the playoffs can play up to four additional games if they advance to the Super Bowl.

Postseason

• EPL: The EPL does not have a playoff system. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned champion. However, teams also compete in domestic and European cup competitions, which can add additional games to their schedule.
• NFL: The NFL's postseason is a knockout tournament with 14 teams qualifying (7 from each conference). Depending on their playoff success, a team can play up to four additional games, culminating in the Super Bowl.

Impact of Additional Competitions

• EPL: In addition to the 38 league games, EPL teams often participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and for some, European competitions like the UEFA Champions League or Europa League. This can significantly increase the number of games a team plays in a season.
• NFL: The NFL does not have additional competitions outside the regular season and playoffs. The only other game, the Pro Bowl, is an exhibition match featuring selected all-star players, but it does not count towards team records.

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NFL: American football is a sport obsessed with numbers. From passing yards to touchdowns to rushing attempts, every aspect of the game is quantified and analyzed. This statistical focus extends to fan engagement, where fantasy football players meticulously track every stat line, fueling the competitive nature of fantasy leagues. The NFL’s emphasis on analytics has profoundly influenced how teams are built, with data-driven decision-making becoming increasingly common. Coaches and general managers now rely on advanced metrics to evaluate player performance, design plays, and make strategic decisions that could make the difference between winning and losing​(Front Office Sports).

EPL: While football has traditionally been viewed more as an art form, the English Premier League has seen a significant increase in the use of analytics in recent years. Concepts like Expected Goals (xG), player heat maps, and other advanced metrics are now integral to football discussions. Clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion have gained a competitive edge by embracing data-driven approaches to player recruitment and match preparation. Brighton, in particular, has become a model for how a mid-sized club can punch above its weight by using data to identify undervalued players and optimize team performance. This data-centric strategy has helped Brighton outperform expectations, establishing them as a formidable force in the league .

However, the EPL still retains a more subjective approach to player ratings compared to the NFL, with a heavy reliance on the “eye test” alongside statistics. While advanced metrics are becoming more prevalent, traditional evaluations of player performance, such as narrative-driven assessments and expert opinions, remain influential in football culture.

For fans looking to immerse themselves in the statistical side of these sports and get BOTH  at the same time, the Athstat Games app provides an all-in-one platform. The app allows users to engage with detailed stats from both the NFL and EPL, integrating the meticulous number-crunching of American football with the emerging analytics in soccer. Whether you’re managing your fantasy football team or comparing EPL players based on xG and other metrics, the Athstat Games app offers the tools to deepen your understanding and enhance your fan experience. This app serves as a bridge between the two worlds, making advanced statistics accessible and engaging for fans across both sports.