As the summer heat is scorching Europe with wildfires and heat waves everywhere, over 3 billion viewers will be tuning in to watch the hottest games. Mopping up beads of sweat and trying to stay cool by drinking chilled beers, viewers will be desperate to see their favourite teams make it through to the end. Let’s take a look at what’s going on in the top leagues in Europe this season.
Premier League
- Country: England
- Start date: 2023-08-11
- End date: 2024-05-19
- Teams: 20
- Matches: 190
- Winner of last season: Manchester City
- Promoted teams this season: Burnley and Sheffield United
- Estimated TV audience: 1.7 Million
- Opening match: Burnley vs Manchester City 0-3
What to look forward to this season
One of the biggest changes this year is the 100 minute games. This change comes in to try and crack down on time wasting antics. Officials will be stricter on time wasting techniques such as slow substitutions and goalkeepers taking too long with their goal kicks.
All in the eyes, right @LucasPaqueta97? 😉 pic.twitter.com/8PAOdYcgw8
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 23, 2023
La liga
- Country: Spain
- Start date: 2023-08-11
- End date: 2024-05-26
- Teams: 20
- Matches: 190
- Winner of last season: Barcelona
- Promoted teams this season: Alaves, Almeria, Granada CF, Las Palmas
- Estimated TV audience: 903 Million
- Opening match: Almeria vs Rayo Vallecano 0-2
What to look forward to this season
With three different winners in the last 3 years, Barcelona are now the team to beat. But watch out for Caglar Soyuncu. The 27 year old Turk joined Atletico Madrid on a free transfer this summer aiming for redemption after his reputation took a hit in the last two years.
Serie A
- Country: Italy
- Start date: 2023-08-19
- End date: 2024-05-26
- Teams: 20
- Matches: 190
- Winner of last season: Napoli
- Promoted teams this season: Cagliari, Frosinone and Genoa
- Estimated TV audience: 380 million
- Opening match: Frosinone vs Napoli 1 – 2
What to look forward to this season
This season, there does not seem to be one clear favourite to win the League. Last year, Napoli were crowned the champions after decades and will be looking to defend their title. Juventus will be trying to bounce back after being punished last year for false accounting and ultimately finishing seventh after having 10 points deducted. So, with no clear favourite, the top four teams to watch for are likely Inter, Napoli, Milan and Juventus.
Bundesliga
- Country: Germany
- Start date: 2023-08-18
- End date: 2024-05-18
- Teams: 18
- Matches: 153
- Winner of last season: Bayern
- Promoted teams this season: Heidenheim and SV Darmstadt 98
- Estimated TV audience: 298 million
- Opening match: Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich 0 – 4
What to look forward to this season
One of the things we have to look forward to is seeing Harry Kane play for Bayern Munich. The Tottenham Hotspur star transferred over for this season and has signed a five year contract.
A whirlwind start for @HarryKane! 🌪 👌
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) August 23, 2023
Powered by @AWSCloud here are the #BundesligaMatchFacts behind the debut of @FCBayern's new No. 9! 📊 👏#Bundesliga | #MD1 | @HKane pic.twitter.com/JOrRclR1qr
Ligue 1
- Country: France
- Start date: 2023-08-11
- End date: 2024-05-18
- Teams: 18
- Matches: 153
- Winner of last season: Paris Saint German
- Promoted teams this season: Le Havre and Metz
- Estimated TV audience: 120 million
- Opening match: Nice vs Lille 1 – 1
What to look forward to this season
This year, Ligue 1 emulated Bundesliga by reducing the number of teams to 18 from 20. Organisers have said that this should help reduce fixture congestion to ease the load on players as well as allowing teams slightly more money from the TV pool.
The leading Paris Saint Germain team appointed the former Barcelona and Spain national team Head Coach, Luis Enrique, as the new boss replacing Christopher Gaultier despite winning the championship last year. This will also likely be the last year that Mbappe will be playing for the PSG team. PSG wanted Mbappe to move to Real Madrid this summer so they could get a fee for him, however the player was keen on waiting until next year to get a massive signing on fee from his new club.
POV: you just watched @KMbappe score on his return 🇫🇷😍 pic.twitter.com/AyVLHqgwW6
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 22, 2023
Eredivisie
- Country: Netherlands
- Start date: 2023-08-11
- End date: 2024-05-19
- Teams: 18
- Matches: 153
- Winner of last season: Feyenoord
- Promoted teams this season: Hercules and Pec Zwolle
- Estimated TV audience: 90 Million
- Opening match: FC Volendam vs Vitesse 1 – 2
Jupilor Pro League
- Country: Belgium
- Start date: 2023-07-28
- End date: 2024-03-16
- Teams: 16
- Matches: 120
- Winner of last season: Antwerp
- Promoted teams this season: RWDM,
- Estimated audience: 800,000
- Opening match: Union St. Gilloise vs Anderlecht 2 – 0
What to look forward to this season
This season brings a reduction in teams from 18 to 16. New team RWDM will be playing for the top fight for the first time. Based on Opta supercomputer projections, nine teams could be in the running for the title. But the main title fight is clearly between Union Saint-Gilloise and Antwerp .
Superliga
- Country: Denmark
- Start date: 2023-07-21
- End date: 2024-03-17
- Teams: 12
- Matches: 66
- Winner of last season: FC Nordsjaelland
- Promoted teams this season: Hvidovre and Vejle
- Opening match: FC Midtjylland vs Hvidovre 1 – 0
Primeira Liga
- Country: Portugal
- Start date: 2023-08-13
- End date: 2024-05-19
- Teams: 18
- Matches: 153
- Winner of last season: Benfica
- Promoted teams this season: Farense, Moreirense,
- Estimated TV audience: 98 million
- Opening match: SC Braga vs Famalicao 1 – 2
First Division
- Country: Ireland
- Start date: 2023-02-17
- End date: 2023-10-20
- Teams: 10
- Matches: 90
- Promoted teams this season: Finn Harps, Kerry,
- Opening match: Wexford vs Waterford 0 – 3
Let’s wrap this up
So, dear football enthusiasts, whether you’re a fervent fan of the beautiful game or someone dipping their toes into the exciting waters of European football, this season promises an exhilarating spectacle across all leagues alike. From record-breaking transfers to underdog tales, tactical masterstrokes to jaw-dropping goals, the drama and excitement are woven into the very fabric of these leagues. So grab your popcorn, paint your face in team colours, and get ready for a footballing extravaganza that’ll keep you entertained and hooked till the final whistle blows!
