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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEngland soccer fans celebrate during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina at The Clock pub in Hebburn, England, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo\/Scott Heppell)<\/p>\n
Well, for one thing, big summer tournaments aren\u2019t too far away \u2014 the Women\u2019s World Cup in Brazil starts in June, while the United Kingdom will host the men\u2019s Euros in 2028.<\/p>\n
But soccer never actually takes much of a break (as the exhausted players can attest).<\/p>\n
In just a few weeks, some of the game\u2019s biggest stars will be back with their clubs, getting ready for new seasons in England\u2019s Premier League, Spain\u2019s La Liga and Germany\u2019s Bundesliga, to name a few. And then, of course, there\u2019s the Champions League, where Europe\u2019s best sides face each other.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a guide to some of the biggest leagues in the world \u2014 and how you can follow them \u2014 to help solve even the most acute cases of World Cup withdrawal.<\/p>\n
\n Premier League<\/p>\n
The richest league in the world features heavyweights like Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as plucky \u2014 and increasingly competitive \u2014 underdogs like Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion.<\/p>\n
Supporters create an incredible atmosphere with creative \u2014 and frequently expletive-filled \u2014 chants aimed at the opposition. And with so many personalities, both among the players and the highly stressed coaches, each 38-match season invariably turns into a soap opera.<\/p>\n
WHO PLAYS THERE:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Erling Haaland, Manchester City: The Norwegian striker\u2019s goofy personality took social media by storm this summer, but he\u2019s even more famous for scoring 112 Premier League goals in just four seasons for Man City.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez, Chelsea: Chelsea\u2019s social media team got in hot water after they celebrated the midfielder\u2019s stunning goal in Argentina\u2019s semifinal win last week. Fern\u00e1ndez\u2019s strike, after all, had helped eliminate England.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: Nicknamed \u201cStarboy,\u201d the English midfielder dazzles on the right for Arsenal, which just won its first league title in 22 years.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tyler Adams, Bournemouth: The hard-tackling American has been a fixture in Bournemouth\u2019s midfield since 2023.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH: Matches are mostly held on Saturdays and Sundays, though weekday matches aren\u2019t uncommon. But be prepared to get up early, especially if you live on the West Coast. Many matches take place at 10 a.m. ET, and there is usually an early-riser at 7:30 a.m., with a marquee match at 12:30 p.m. Many of the biggest games are shown on NBC, while others are shown on USA Network or Peacock. Get used to checking online listings to decipher it all.<\/p>\n
2026-2027 SEASON DATES: Aug. 21.-May 30<\/p>\n
\n La Liga<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a league long dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona. The two titans have won 11 of the past 12 league titles and, twice a year, they square off in El Cl\u00e1sico, one of the world\u2019s fiercest rivalry matches. Beyond that, the league is a showcase for creative, attacking talent.<\/p>\n
WHO PLAYS THERE:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid: England\u2019s 23-year-old midfielder scored seven goals in the World Cup and has starred for Real Madrid for the past three seasons<\/p>\n
\u2014 Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: Spain\u2019s teenage phenom has quickly emerged as Barcelona\u2019s biggest star since Messi.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid: The Spanish defender with the unmistakable curly hair just transferred from Chelsea to \u201cLos Blancos.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Real Madrid: France\u2019s star has been extraordinary at each of the last three World Cups. He\u2019s not too shabby at Real Madrid either, scoring 25 goals in La Liga last season.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH: Matches typically start a few hours later than Premier League ones, making it more accessible to U.S. fans who aren\u2019t morning people. Every match is available on the ESPN+ app, with some of the bigger matchups also available on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.<\/p>\n
2026-2027 SEASON DATES: Aug. 15.-May 30<\/p>\n
\n Bundesliga<\/p>\n
With relentless singing from the fans in the crowd and relentless attacking from the players on the field, the Bundesliga makes for great TV. Borussia Dortmund\u2019s famed \u201cYellow Wall\u201d of fans is especially intimidating. Just don\u2019t be surprised when Bayern Munich wins the title yet again.<\/p>\n
WHO PLAYS THERE:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Harry Kane, Bayern Munich: England\u2019s captain has dominated the Bundesliga ever since joining Germany\u2019s most decorated club in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Michael Olise, Bayern Munich: The winger produced some of the most exciting performances in the World Cup as part of France\u2019s devastating attack.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Yan Diomand\u00e9, RB Leipzig: The 19-year-old had a fantastic World Cup for the Ivory Coast and has caught the eye of various Premier League giants. Leipzig insists he is not for sale.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH: The Bundesliga just signed an English-language deal with USA Network and Fandango. You\u2019re forgiven for not knowing that Fandango, a company famous for selling movie tickets, is getting into sports broadcasting.<\/p>\n
2026-2027 SEASON DATES: Aug. 28.-May 22<\/p>\n
\n Champions League<\/p>\n
Each year, the top clubs in each European league qualify for the Champions League. The opening phase involves 36 clubs playing eight games apiece. From there, the field is whittled down through knockout rounds before ending with a final in a major European city. The next one will be in Madrid.<\/p>\n
If you are looking for soccer of the highest technical quality, the Champions League is your answer. Unlike the World Cup, where teams have limited time together before the tournament, Champions League clubs are finely tuned squads that practice together nearly year-round. For many fans, winning a Champions League trophy is an even bigger prize than a league title.<\/p>\n
WHO PLAYS THERE: Pretty much all the European-based heavyweights will be there. Well, not Chelsea: They finished 10th in the Premier League last season, far too low to qualify.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH: This is when work can get in the way, since most matches occur on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons if you\u2019re on the East Coast. Every match is available to stream on Paramount+, with marquee ones also broadcast on CBS, including the final \u2014 which often commands a larger global audience than the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n
2026-2027 SEASON DATES: The league phase kicks off Sept. 8., with the final on June 5, 2027.<\/p>\n
\n MLS <\/p>\n
Unlike the major European leagues, MLS is well underway, despite a hiatus during the World Cup. So if you\u2019re looking for a soccer fix, you only have to wait until Wednesday night, when you can take your pick between 15 different matches.<\/p>\n
The quality on the field might not be as strong as elite European competition, but the league has gotten steadily better over the past two decades, with clubs largely prioritizing exciting young talents over aging stars (though some teams still go down that route, too, for better or worse).<\/p>\n
The action is also quite unpredictable: Thanks in part to strict spending limits, dynasties are rare \u2014 no team has won the title two years in a row since 2012 \u2014 giving fans of each team hope at the start of the season.<\/p>\n
WHO PLAYS THERE:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: Some thought that joining MLS in 2023 would cause the Argentine legend to lose his edge as he approaches 40. Those doubters were wrong.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Son Heung-min, LAFC: South Korea\u2019s biggest star had a disappointing World Cup, and he has yet to score this season in MLS. But fans still pack downtown Los Angeles to see the beloved 34-year-old striker.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Matt Freese, NYCFC: The U.S. goalkeeper has impressed for NYCFC, though it might take awhile for U.S. fans to look past his blunder against Belgium.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH: The vast majority of the matches are on weekend nights. All of them are available on Apple TV, with some also shown on Fox Sports 1.<\/p>\n
2026 SEASON DATES: The regular season began Feb. 21 and will run through Nov. 7, with playoffs to follow.<\/p>\n
Liga MX<\/p>\n
You thought the Premier League was the most-watched league in the U.S.? Think again: That honor actually goes to the Mexican league, which sees huge Hispanic audiences tune in for their favorite clubs, including rivals Club Am\u00e9rica and Chivas de Guadalajara. Not only are the rivalries intense, but there are also two winners each year, thanks to a split-season format that crowns one champion in the fall (Apertura) and another in the spring (Clausura).<\/p>\n
WHO PLAYS THERE:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gilberto Mora, Club Tijuana: Mexico fans fell in love with the 17-year-old attacking midfielder during El Tri\u2019s run to the round of 16.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH: Some matches are available in English via the CBS Sports Network or Fox Sports. But most of the viewership comes for the Spanish-language broadcasters, including Univision and Telemundo.<\/p>\n
2026-2027 SEASON DATES: The regular Apertura campaign began July 16, and will conclude in December. The Clausura campaign will take place in early 2027.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
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