The 9 biggest clubs in EFL League One named and ranked by AI | OneFootball

AI has debated who the largest clubs currently residing in League One are

League One remains one of the most exciting and unpredictable divisions across Europe, with there being a strong mix of clubs when it comes to current aims and their overall stature.

There have been many instances of former Premier League sides falling as low as the third tier of English football, yet struggling to immediately stamp their authority on the division as they look to mount a quick promotion charge back to the Championship.

That very much remains the case across the 2025/26 season on paper, although this can often work against the sides expected to be among the front-runners before a ball is kicked, as other sides look to gain major scalps and cause an upset by the time the 46-game regular campaign concludes in May 2026.

There have already been several dramatic incidents across the division so far this season that have created strong talking points, and another debate which is known for sparking discourse is debating which of the 24 clubs in the league are categorically the 'biggest'.

Of course, supporters of many clubs will offer their viewpoint with a hint of bias, although this can often make for great reading on various social media platforms.

However, Football League World has put AI to the test, asking ChatGPT which are the nine-biggest League One sides this season and why.

AI believes Blackpool are the ninth-biggest League One club this season, despite the fact the Tangerines have found it tough going under Steve Bruce and former centre-back, Ian Evatt, who was appointed in October.

The computer believes the Lancashire side have continuously defied expectations, such as reaching the Premier League in 2010/11, and that the size of Bloomfield Road reflects their status, albeit a handful of stadiums in the league remain bigger.

8 ? ? Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic take up eighth place in AI's mind.

Indeed, the key reason behind such a selection is the Latics' monumental FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in May 2013, although the same campaign represented the last of eight unbroken Premier League seasons.

It also states that the club's recent decline has also had a major influence on this call, with Wigan winning League One three times in the past nine years, but have often bounced between the Championship and third tier, and are yet to return to the second after being relegated in 2023.

7 ? ? Bradford City

Bradford City are the seventh-biggest club in the division, according to AI.

The Bantams have often drawn major crowds at Valley Parade regardless of their divisional status, and such feats have been a key influence on the computer's call, having topped the average attendance charts in League Two last term by some distance.

After gaining promotion after six years in the EFL's basement division under Graham Alexander, the West Yorkshire side have given themselves a strong chance of achieving back-to-back promotions.

6 ? ? Barnsley

However, they find themselves slightly behind Yorkshire rivals, Barnsley.

The Tykes are described as a "traditional" club by AI, with Oakwell's capacity of 23,287 reflecting a stature that exceeds many of their current divisional counterparts.

It is hard to argue against such claims, with the Reds often a strong force whenever in the third tier, as well as having a short-lived spell in the Premier League two decades ago.

They will hope to be asserting such authority in the years to come under Conor Hourihane too, as they registered their lowest league finish - 12th in League One - since the 2003/04 campaign.

5 ? ? Luton Town

Despite tasting the riches of the Premier League more recently than any other club on this list, Luton Town are only the fifth-biggest club in League One, says AI.

The Hatters and their supporters have been on an emotional rollercoaster in recent times, with a nine-year rise from the National League to the top flight completed in May 2023 after a Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City, before returning to the third tier for the first time in six years in double-quick time.

On the pitch, this has resulted in three managerial changes since January 2025, with Jack Wilshere now firmly in the thick of his first full-time managerial experience after replacing Matt Bloomfield.

However, it is clear the Bedfordshire side are looking to continue growing, with plans to move into Power Court by the summer of 2028, a stadium which will hold approximately 25,000 supporters.

Despite their recent financial difficulties, AI believes Reading are the fourth-biggest club in the third tier this season.

The Royals were in the Premier League as recently as 2013, and missed out on ending a short-lived exile four years later under Jaap Stam, before falling out of the Championship at the opposite end in 2023 amid mismanagement from Dai Yongge.

Although it has been a tale of decline ever since, the computer acknowledges that facilities owned by the Berkshire club are of a far greater standard than that of many League One rivals.

3 ? ? Bolton Wanderers

In third place are Bolton Wanderers, who are hoping to return to English football's top-two divisions at the end of this season under one-time title winner, Steven Schumacher.

The North West side have, like many others on this list, suffered a major fall from grace that has largely been down to financial mismanagement.

Indeed, just over 10 years after facing the likes of Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Europa League, the Trotters almost ceased to exist, before being salvaged by Sharon Brittan in August 2019.

Despite failing to achieve promotion from League One since returning to the division in 2021, Wanderers have certainly made impressive short-term strides, and are hoping their persistance will pay off sooner rather than later.

Huddersfield Town are the club which takes the 'silver medal' on this ranking, according to AI.

Just six years ago, the Terriers were relegated from the Premier League after a two-season stint which followed one of the most unexpected promotion campaigns under David Wagner.

Since then, though, Town have regressed despite the well-publicised ownership of American businessman, Kevin Nagle, who oversaw a first relegation to League One since 2012 in his first season as chairman, before the West Yorkshire side fell to a 10th-place finish last term.

It remains to be seen if Nagle's millions will have a desired short and long-term effect this season too, with Huddersfield falling behind in the race for promotion, whilst Lee Grant has received plenty of criticism in his first full-time managerial role.

However, League One's standout club in terms of stature and infrastructure is Cardiff City, according to AI.

The Bluebirds have completely transformed their identity in such a quick timeframe following the appointment of ex-Manchester City youth boss, Brian Barry-Murphy after suffering a first fall into the third tier since 2002.

Despite not investing majorly in the playing squad, it is hard to dispute the facilities on offer in this part of South Wales, in particular, the Cardiff City Stadium, which boasts the division's highest capacity at a figure of 33,280, and is a regular home of the Welsh national side.

City, like many of their divisional rivals on this list, can certainly boast recent Premier League pedigree too, having featured in the top-flight during the 2013/14 and 2018/19 seasons.

It may take a handful of years for the club to reach such heights again, but they certainly showcased their potential by reaching the EFL Cup quarter-finals against Chelsea in December 2025, and it would also not be a surprise to see the club make major profits on homegrown talents such as Ronan Kpakio, Dylan Lawlor and Cian Ashford in the coming years.