The Premier League is owned by the 20 current member clubs. It is a private company limited by shares, and those 20 clubs each hold one share and one vote, while The FA holds a special share; when a club is relegated, that share passes to the promoted club at the annual general meeting.
Who owns the Premier League
The competition is not owned by a single person, a single club, or an outside body. Its shareholders are the 20 member clubs in the league at that time, together with The FA as holder of a special share.
Each club’s share carries two core rights: an equal vote on all matters and a right to the distribution of broadcast and commercial revenues. Every club remains independent, but it works within the rules of football defined by the Premier League, The FA, UEFA and FIFA, and is subject to English and European law.
How decisions are made
Shareholder meetings are the highest decision-making forum for Premier League policy, and they take place regularly during the season. Clubs can bring forward new rules or amendments at those meetings.
Rule changes, along with major broadcast and commercial proposals, need to clear the required voting threshold before they can go ahead.
The key rules for a decision
Here are the key rules for taking a decision.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who holds the shares | The 20 member clubs, plus The FA with a special share |
| Votes per club | One |
| Threshold for a rule change | Two-thirds of the clubs, which is 14 |
| What needs FA approval | Certain actions, such as appointing Board Directors |
| What happens on relegation | The share passes to the club promoted in its place |
What The FA does in this structure
The FA has a formal place in Premier League governance, but not in the same way as a member club. Its special share means that certain actions need FA approval, including the appointment and re-appointment of Board Directors.
That is different from running the league day to day. Policy decisions are taken through the shareholder structure, where clubs vote on proposals and The FA has approval power in specific areas tied to its special share.
Why shares move after relegation
Premier League shareholding is tied to membership of the league. After the close of each season, the annual general meeting is where relegated clubs transfer their shares to the clubs promoted from the EFL Championship.
The shareholders are always the 20 clubs playing in the competition at that moment. They change through promotion and relegation, and the one-share, one-vote model stays the same.
FAQ
Is the Premier League under FIFA or UEFA?
It does not sit under either of them as a direct owner or shareholder. Premier League clubs operate within the rules of football defined by the Premier League, The FA, UEFA and FIFA, while league policy is decided through the Premier League’s own shareholder meetings.
Who runs the Premier League?
At the top level of governance, shareholder meetings are the ultimate forum for policy decisions. The 20 member clubs take part through equal voting rights, and The FA has a separate approval role through its special share.
Does The FA run the Premier League?
The FA is part of the governance system, but it does not replace the clubs as the voting body on league policy. Its special share gives it approval rights over certain actions rather than general control over every decision.
How do Premier League clubs vote on rule changes?
Clubs can propose new rules or amendments at shareholder meetings. Each club has one vote, and a rule change needs support from at least 14 clubs.
What happens to a club’s share when it is relegated?
The share does not stay with a relegated club. At the annual general meeting after the season ends, it is transferred to the club promoted from the EFL Championship in its place.