The so-called Big Six has long dominated the headlines. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur have spent years defining the top rungs of the Premier League. They attracted the brightest talent, flexed unmatched revenues, and all but guaranteed Europe-bound finishes. That hegemony, though, isn’t as solid as it once seemed.
Even modest clubs now command enviable TV money. Thanks to rising broadcast fees, smaller sides hire top scouts, back progressive managers, and coax real quality onto their benches. This season alone, Nottingham Forest is flirting with a Champions League push, while Newcastle, under Saudi ownership, has surged into the upper echelon on the back of disciplined, strategic spending. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery quipped in April 2023: “Now it is not a top six but a top seven, top eight or top ten. There are a lot of teams capable of targeting those positions and I want to add Aston Villa into it, too.” He was preaching because the Villains finished in the fourth spot last season.
| Era | Approx. Years | Key Dominant Clubs | Notable Trends & Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Premier League | 1992–1997 | Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United | Manchester United’s early dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson, Eric Cantona’s transformative impact, and Blackburn’s 1995 title under Jack Walker’s investment |
| The Duopoly | 1998–2004 | Manchester United, Arsenal | Fierce rivalry between Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, each taking multiple titles. Arsenal’s 2003–04 unbeaten season (“The Invincibles”) stands out |
| The Big Four | 2004–2010 | Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United | Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea and Rafa Benítez’s Liverpool join Arsenal and Manchester United as consistent Champions League contenders |
| Transition to the Big Six | 2010–2016 | Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur | Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi investment lifts them into the elite. Spurs establish themselves as regular top-six finishers |
| The Big Six Dominance | 2016–2022 | Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur | High-profile managers such as Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp raise the league’s tactical standards, with trophies mostly shared among these six |
| The Evolving Order | 2023–present | Big Six in flux, plus Newcastle, Aston Villa, others challenging | More even distribution of TV revenue helps smaller clubs mount serious top-four bids, calling into question whether the “Big Six” label still applies |
The Premier League’s shifting hierarchy
Manchester United’s struggles have been emblematic of this changing order. Even with revenues north of $770 million, they’ve languished mid-table, showing that an iconic crest and loaded checkbook no longer secure top-four finishes.
Tottenham’s woes run parallel as fans lament boardroom indecision and regret the sale of star names. Meanwhile, Chelsea has splurged almost $1.1 billion in a year under new owners, only to hover at a precarious distance from the summit.
Many observers suggest the term Big Six is now outdated. Some say it ought to be the Big Seven after Newcastle’s breakthrough, though others counter that even Newcastle might not stay there for decades. The problem isn’t figuring out who’s “big.” It’s that the league itself, thanks to global popularity and a richly distributed TV deal, grows more competitive each season. In this environment, anyone with a sound plan and good coaching can outmaneuver bigger rivals.
Is the big six era over? That sentiment echoes across fan forums and broadcast panels. Relentless, data-driven upstarts have squeezed the once-cozy club at the top. A few unexpected signings or a manager with an inspired system might be enough to transform a mid-table team into a Champions League contender in just one or two seasons.
No one knows whether we should adopt a new label or dispense with labels altogether. But these ‘big six’ clubs must adapt quickly or watch their status slip away. For fans craving unpredictability, that may be cause to celebrate.
