Does the Premier League 'Big Six' still exist?

What the report says

BBC Sport Football examines whether the Premier League’s long-running “Big Six” label still fits the competition. The traditional group — Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur — was once seen as the division’s dominant force on the pitch and in financial terms, but the article says recent seasons have brought more volatility and more challengers into the upper reaches of the table.

The piece points to Tottenham and Manchester United’s recent struggles, Manchester City’s wider uncertainty after being found guilty of financial-rule breaches over nine years, and the rise of clubs such as Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton and Newcastle. It notes that in the past three seasons, five of the top six places have gone to clubs outside the traditional six, while Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs have all missed out on the top six in multiple seasons.

BBC Sport also highlights how other clubs have narrowed the gap through spending, data-led recruitment and steadier planning. Brighton are cited as an example of buying young talent cheaply and selling for large fees, while Newcastle’s improvement followed their 2021 takeover. The article contrasts that with frequent managerial changes at Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham, and with Arsenal’s more patient approach under Mikel Arteta.

The broader point is that the Premier League’s hierarchy appears less fixed than in earlier eras. While the six clubs still rank among football’s biggest revenue generators, BBC Sport argues that the league’s top end is now more open, even if title favourites may still often come from that group.