The return of the Premier League

Friday, 15 August 2014

This summer, 672 million Tweets were sent about the World Cup as football fans from around the globe came together on Twitter to share the highs and lows of the world’s biggest sporting event.

And whilst the World Cup may be becoming a distant memory, the @PremierLeague springs back into action tomorrow as Manchester United (@ManUtd) host Swansea City (@SwansOfficial) in the first match of the new season. And with all 20 Premier League teams on the platform, following along on Twitter promises to be a great way to get closer to the action throughout the 2014/15 season.

The most followed team in the UK is @Arsenal, with more than 4.24 million followers. Joining #AFC in the top five are:

  1. Arsenal (@Arsenal) — 4.24 million
  2. Chelsea (@ChelseaFC) — 4.18 million
  3. Liverpool (@LFC) — 3 million *At time of writing #LFC ahead of #MUFC by 200 followers; Manchester United (@ManUtd) — 3 million
  4. Manchester City (@MCFC) — 1.92 million

More than 60% of Premier League players are now on Twitter, as well as two managers, @RonaldKoeman of Southampton and Garry Monk (@GarryMonk16) of Swansea.

Tottenham (@SpursOfficial) begin the new season with 76% of their first-team squad on Twitter — the highest of any team Premier League team. However with the transfer window open until September 1, it remains to be seen whether they’ll maintain that position into the autumn.

Follow the conversation with Twitter

Throughout the season, many of the best-known voices within the game Tweet their observations and opinions, directly engaging with fans in real-time. Join the conversation by subscribing to this list of journalists, commentators and pundits who are providing 24/7 reaction, breaking news and insight on all things @PremierLeague.

According to research*, 81% of UK Twitter users Tweet, or follow Tweets, whilst watching sport on TV. And 65% say that they do this because Twitter makes live sporting events on TV more exciting.

In keeping with this, @SkySports has made Twitter a more integral part of its programmes than ever before, with regular votes and Tweets on screen promoting fan interaction on its new-look news flagship @SkySportsNewsHQ:


Meanwhile, @BTSport have updated their Saturday morning programming to concentrate on Twitter-generated fan comment and opinion to set the tone and build anticipation ahead of the early televised match:


BBC Sport marks a notable birthday this season, as the iconic Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) turns 50.

Twitter voting will continue to add a fan element to the show around key talking points and goal of the month, as host @GaryLineker is joined by a re-jigged panel of pundits:

Wherever you are in the world this season, keep an eye on @PremierLeague and #BPL for chapter and verse on every match.