Football is keeping the High Court busy...

Since 2014, almost 350 claims have been filed in the High Court involving football clubs and data shows that 2025 was another active year, with 21 claims issued across the courts and a further 13 in the Insolvency and Companies List.

That trend has continued into the first half of 2026, with 13 claims and 9 insolvency matters already filed, suggesting another busy year ahead. When it comes to individual clubs, Chelsea has been the most frequently involved in litigation since 2014, with 26 claims. Manchester City ranks second, with a higher proportion of defendant-side involvement.

Behind them, Cardiff City FC, Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC round out the top five. Further down the list, clubs such as Leeds United FC, Leicester City FC and Nottingham Forest FC feature prominently, while lower-league sides including Crewe Alexandra FC, Southend United FC and Reading FC appear predominantly as defendants.

Beyond clubs themselves, some football governing bodies are among the most active litigants. While not included in the above figures, The Football Association Premier League Ltd has been involved in more than 300 claims since 2014, ranking among the 50 most litigious parties in the High Court. (In 97% of these cases it appeared as claimant, with the vast majority relating to intellectual property enforcement, particularly actions against individuals and businesses for copyright infringement and the unauthorised broadcasting of live matches).