Birmingham, or the second city of England as it is known, is a hotbed of football clubs that play from the Premier League downwards in the English football pyramid.
Not to get mixed up with the Midlands, as there are many more clubs in that region, Birmingham, on its own, still has its fair share of top clubs, one of which has won the European Cup. It also plays host to one of English football's fiercest rivalries, between Aston Villa and Birmingham City.
Ever wondered how many football teams in Birmingham? Here's a full guide to the Second City…
Contents
Birmingham Premier League teams
As of the 2023/24 season, there is one Birmingham club in the Premier League: Aston Villa.
Back in the 1981/82 season, Villa became the fourth English club to win the European Cup when they beat German giants Bayern Munich 1-0 at Rotterdam's De Kuip in Rotherham.
Aston Villa are the most successful football club to come from Birmingham with seven top-flight titles, seven FA Cups, five League Cups, and, of course, that special European Cup.
It's because of this success, and the fact they are one of England's oldest football clubs – founded in 1874 – that they are also one of the best-supported teams in the country. They play at Villa Park and have done so since 1897.
Another club that plays in the Premier League and is near Birmingham is Black Country-based Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Championship football teams in Birmingham
A tier down in the Championship are Aston Villa's fierce rivals, Birmingham City, who would claim they are the main club in Birmingham.
City were founded in 1875, one year after Aston Villa. The two clubs face off in the Second City Derby, and there has been no love lost between the fans over the years.
Whilst Birmingham City has a huge following from the city, their success on the field is nowhere near that of their big rivals. The club has never won a top-flight league title, nor have they won an FA Cup, coming close on two occasions when they lost in the 1931 and 1956 finals.
They won the League Cup twice in 1963 and then again in 2011 when they beat Arsenal. It was bittersweet for the Blues, who were also relegated from the Premier League that season. They haven't played in the Premier League since.
The club plays at St Andrew's Stadium and has done so since 1906.
Other clubs in the Championship that are nearby to Birmingham are West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City.
League One clubs from Birmingham
There are no clubs from Birmingham currently competing in League One. The football clubs nearby at this level at Derby County and Burton Albion.
League Two clubs from Birmingham
There is only one club in League Two that hails from Birmingham, and it is Walsall FC. Founded in 1888 and nicknamed ‘The Saddlers', they play their home matches at the Bescot Stadium.
With limited success throughout their history, their latest triumph was back in the 2006-07 season when they won League Two.
They have won the Birmingham Senior Cup on four occasions, although this is only considered a minor competition.
While their local rivals are Wolves and West Brom, they rarely meet either of these clubs due to the different levels they play in. So, Shrewsbury and Port Vale have become rivals and are the closest football clubs to Walsall.
National League and non-league football teams in Birmingham
There are a few football clubs that play in the lower leagues of the English football pyramid. In the National League, you'll find Solihull Moors, who were only founded in 2007. They play their home games at the Damson Stadium.
Other notable clubs from the area who play in lower leagues are Tividale, Stourbridge, Halesowen Town, Bileston Town, Rushall Olympic, Romulus FC, and Sutton Coldfield.
Stourbridge are the current holders of the Birmingham Senior Cup, winning it on 12 May 2023.