North London is home to two of England’s most storied football clubs, yet dozens of semi-professional and amateur sides fill parks, pitches and league tables across Enfield, Barnet, Haringey and Islington every weekend.
By David Findlay, Founder of KiqIQ.
Quick Answer: Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the two professional football teams in North London, supported by over 30 semi-professional and amateur clubs competing in regional and county leagues.
Definition: North London football teams are association football clubs based in the boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Camden, ranging from Premier League clubs to grassroots community sides.
Key point: Most coverage stops at Arsenal and Spurs, but the pyramid below Premier League level reveals a dense network of clubs with distinct catchments, histories and volunteer infrastructure that rarely surfaces in search results.
The Two Premier League Clubs
Arsenal Football Club, founded in 1886 in Woolwich and relocated to Highbury in 1913, now plays at Emirates Stadium in Holloway. The club has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and holds the record for the longest unbeaten league run in English football history, 49 matches between 2003 and 2004.
Tottenham Hotspur, established in 1882, operates from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Tottenham, opened in 2019 with a capacity of 62,850. Spurs have won two league titles, eight FA Cups and four League Cups, and reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019.
The North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham is one of the most watched fixtures in English football, rooted in geographic proximity and contrasting identities. Arsenal’s move north in 1913 placed them within three miles of White Hart Lane, intensifying a rivalry that predates the relocation.
Semi-Professional and Non-League Clubs
Barnet FC, currently competing in the National League, was founded in 1888 and plays at The Hive Stadium in Canons Park. The club has fluctuated between the Football League and non-league tiers since its first promotion in 1991.
Enfield Town FC and Enfield FC represent a split that occurred in 2001. Enfield FC, founded in 1893, relocated to Hertfordshire, while Enfield Town was formed to maintain a club in the borough. Enfield Town plays at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium and competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Haringey Borough FC, based at Coles Park Stadium, competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club gained national attention in 2019 when a match was abandoned following alleged racial abuse directed at players.
Wingate & Finchley FC, formed in 1991 from the merger of Wingate FC and Finchley FC, plays at the Maurice Rebak Stadium in Finchley. The club competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division and has a strong connection to the local Jewish community.
Amateur and Grassroots Clubs
Dozens of clubs operate below the Isthmian League in county and regional divisions. Hadley FC, established in 1892, plays in the Spartan South Midlands League and is one of the oldest clubs in Barnet. Cockfosters FC, London Colney FC and Brimsdown FC all maintain active squads in the lower tiers of the non-league pyramid.
Sunday league and amateur clubs are affiliated with the Middlesex County Football Association and London Football Association. These clubs rely on volunteer administrators, council pitches and modest membership fees. Fixture data and league standings are often maintained on outdated websites or shared via social media, making systematic tracking difficult.
Geographic and Administrative Boundaries
North London is not a formally defined administrative area. For football purposes, it typically includes the boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Camden. Some definitions extend to include parts of Hackney, though Hackney is more commonly classified as East London.
Clubs in these boroughs compete in leagues administered by the Football Association, including the National League, Isthmian League, Southern League, Spartan South Midlands League and various county divisions. The overlap of geographic identity and league structure means clubs in North London may face opponents from Hertfordshire, Essex and South London in the same competition.
Historical Context and Club Movements
Several clubs have relocated or dissolved over the past century. Tottenham Hotspur considered moving to Stratford in 2011 but remained in Tottenham after securing planning permission for a new stadium. Arsenal’s 2006 move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium kept the club within Islington, maintaining its North London identity.
Enfield FC’s relocation to Hertfordshire in 2001 created a void filled by Enfield Town. Barnet FC moved from Underhill Stadium to The Hive in 2013, shifting the club’s base from High Barnet to the edge of Harrow. These moves reflect the tension between land availability, local authority support and fan identity.
Women’s Football in North London
Arsenal Women, one of the most successful women’s football clubs in England, has won 15 FA Women’s Super League titles and 14 FA Cups. The team plays home fixtures at Meadow Park in Borehamwood and Emirates Stadium for high-profile matches.
Tottenham Hotspur Women competes in the Women’s Super League and was promoted in 2019. The club plays at Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient, rather than Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, due to pitch scheduling and capacity considerations.
Barnet FC Women and Haringey Borough Women both compete in regional divisions, providing pathways for female players in North London outside the professional tier.
Youth Development and Academy Systems
Arsenal and Tottenham operate Category One academies under the Elite Player Performance Plan, investing heavily in youth development infrastructure. Arsenal’s Hale End Academy has produced players including Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Ashley Cole. Tottenham’s academy has developed Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Ledley King.
Non-league clubs also run youth sections, though resources are limited compared to professional academies. Barnet FC, Enfield Town and Haringey Borough all field under-18 and under-23 sides, often feeding players into senior squads or facilitating moves to higher-level clubs.
Match Attendance and Stadium Capacity
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Emirates Stadium are among the largest club stadiums in England, with capacities of 62,850 and 60,704 respectively. Both clubs regularly fill their grounds for Premier League and European fixtures.
Non-league attendances vary widely. Barnet FC averages between 1,500 and 2,500 spectators per match in the National League. Enfield Town, Haringey Borough and Wingate & Finchley typically attract between 200 and 600 fans, depending on opposition and league position.
Grassroots clubs often play in front of fewer than 50 spectators, primarily family members and club volunteers. Gate receipts are minimal, and clubs depend on sponsorship, fundraising and affiliation fees to cover costs.
Financial Structure and Ownership
Arsenal is owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which acquired majority control in 2011. Tottenham Hotspur is owned by ENIC Group, led by Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy. Both clubs generate significant revenue from broadcasting, commercial partnerships and matchday income.
Non-league clubs operate on far smaller budgets. Barnet FC is owned by a group of investors and has faced financial difficulties, entering administration in 2020 before being acquired by a consortium. Enfield Town and Haringey Borough are community-owned or run by small boards of directors, relying on volunteers for day-to-day operations.
League Structure and Promotion Pathways
The English football pyramid allows for promotion and relegation across all levels. Arsenal and Tottenham compete in the Premier League, with relegation leading to the Championship. Barnet FC competes in the National League, the fifth tier, with promotion to League Two possible via automatic places or play-offs.
Isthmian League clubs such as Enfield Town, Haringey Borough and Wingate & Finchley compete in the seventh tier, with promotion to the National League South available for league winners or play-off victors. Below this, clubs progress through regional divisions, with promotion criteria based on league performance and ground grading requirements.
Community and Social Impact
Arsenal and Tottenham both run community programmes, including football coaching, education schemes and health initiatives. Arsenal in the Community and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation engage with schools and youth groups across North London, using football as a vehicle for social development.
Non-league clubs often serve as focal points for local communities, providing volunteer opportunities, social spaces and identity. Haringey Borough’s response to the 2019 racism incident demonstrated the role of grassroots clubs in addressing social issues, with the club receiving widespread support from the football community and local residents.
Challenges Facing Non-League Clubs
Ground ownership and maintenance present ongoing challenges. Many non-league clubs lease facilities from local authorities or private landlords, limiting control over scheduling and investment. Enfield Town’s Queen Elizabeth II Stadium is owned by the London Borough of Enfield, requiring negotiation for upgrades or long-term security.
Volunteer recruitment is critical for club survival. Non-league clubs depend on unpaid administrators, coaches and groundskeepers. Declining volunteer numbers and the professionalisation of coaching qualifications increase the burden on remaining volunteers.
Financial sustainability is fragile. Gate receipts rarely cover operating costs, and clubs rely on sponsorship, grants and fundraising. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many clubs to suspend operations, with some facing closure due to lost revenue and fixed costs.
Media Coverage and Visibility
Arsenal and Tottenham dominate media coverage of North London football. National broadcasters, newspapers and digital platforms focus on Premier League fixtures, transfers and managerial decisions. Non-league clubs receive limited coverage, primarily from local newspapers, club websites and volunteer-run social media accounts.
This visibility gap affects sponsorship, attendance and recruitment. Clubs below the National League struggle to attract commercial partners or media attention, reducing revenue and limiting growth opportunities. Volunteer-run media efforts are inconsistent, depending on individual capacity and technical skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main football teams in North London?
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the two professional clubs in North London, both competing in the Premier League. Barnet FC plays in the National League, while Enfield Town, Haringey Borough and Wingate & Finchley compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football.
How many football clubs are based in North London?
Over 30 football clubs operate in North London across professional, semi-professional and amateur levels. This includes two Premier League clubs, one National League club, several Isthmian League sides and numerous clubs in county and regional divisions administered by the Middlesex and London Football Associations.
Which North London football team has won more trophies?
Arsenal has won 13 top-flight league titles, 14 FA Cups and two League Cups, significantly more than Tottenham Hotspur, which has won two league titles, eight FA Cups and four League Cups. Arsenal also holds the record for the longest unbeaten league run in English football history.
Where do Arsenal and Tottenham play their home matches?
Arsenal plays at Emirates Stadium in Holloway, Islington, with a capacity of 60,704. Tottenham Hotspur plays at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Tottenham, Haringey, with a capacity of 62,850. Both stadiums opened in the 21st century, replacing Highbury and White Hart Lane respectively.
Are there any women’s football teams in North London?
Arsenal Women competes in the FA Women’s Super League and is one of the most successful women’s clubs in England, with 15 league titles. Tottenham Hotspur Women also competes in the top tier. Barnet FC Women and Haringey Borough Women play in regional divisions below the professional level.