Football isn’t just a game; it’s an emotional rollercoaster. One week you’re riding high on a glorious win, the next you’re plunging into despair after a gut-wrenching defeat. But did you know that the stress of following your Premier League team could actually be ageing you?
According to a study led by ageing and hormone expert Dr. Sadia Saeed – on behalf of Tipman Tips – some fans could biologically age up to two years over the course of a single campaign. The study evaluated all 20 Premier League clubs competing in the 2024/25 season across ten common stress-related factors, grouped into five categories: stress triggers, sleep deprivation, travel demands, environmental impact, and the all-too-familiar ‘late limbs’ factor (yes, those last-minute goals that ruin your weekend).
Each club was given a total score out of 100 based on these factors, and the results for the 10 most stressful teams to support this season have now been revealed. Some of the findings will definitely cause a shock.
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10 Leicester City
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.4 years
It wasn’t long ago that supporting Leicester City was an unexpected blessing. In the 2015/16 season, they won the Premier League against odds of 5000/1 to become one of the greatest sides in the competition’s history under Claudio Ranieri. Then, a few years later in 2021, they were guided to a first FA Cup triumph by Brendan Rodgers.
Recent years haven’t been kind to the Foxes, though. The tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha marked the beginning of a sharp decline. In the 2024/25 season, Leicester looked destined for the drop zone from the outset – and sadly, that’s exactly where they ended up. To make matters worse for the King Power faithful, the departure of club legend Jamie Vardy only added salt to the wound, and it posed as a final reminder that their golden days are very much no more than a cherished memory.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Leicester City | 2.3 | 17.1 | 7.8 | 8.7 | 13.3 | 49.2 | 1.4 years |
9 Manchester United
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.4 years
Before 2013, most Manchester United fans had no idea what it felt like to support a struggling side. Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign of silver-lined terror, they were stockpiling trophies like the end times were near. The legendary manager famously declared that Manchester City would never dethrone them as kings of the city and that he had knocked Liverpool off their “f***ing perch.” Ryan Giggs also went as far as to claim United would never sink to the levels Liverpool once had.
But doomsday has crept in – slowly, then all at once. And this season, the apocalypse prophecy was fulfilled: Liverpool reclaimed their crown as the most successful club in English football. Meanwhile, United have endured their worst-ever Premier League campaign, digging up depths they never thought possible. According to the data, only two other fanbases have lost more sleep – proof that the Theatre of Dreams has, for many, become a place even the best dream catchers on the market couldn’t solve.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Manchester United | 4.5 | 19.9 | 9.7 | 8.6 | 6.7 | 49.4 | 1.4 years |
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8 Chelsea
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.4 years
Chelsea live and breathe the belief that money can buy happiness – and that’s precisely why expectations remain sky-high for a return to their resplendent Roman Abramovich era. Under Todd Boehly’s new regime, three of their last six transfer windows have broken into the list of the most expensive in football history.
Yet despite their spending spree, the Blues have struggled to re-establish themselves as Champions League regulars. It’s now been five years since they lifted silverware, with three painful final defeats to Liverpool along the way. Much like Man United, Chelsea have become a fallen giant – once feared, now floundering. The cries from Stamford Bridge for a return to the summit of English football remain unanswered, leaving fans increasingly frustrated and stressed, though their low environmental factor score proves where they live can provide a good form of escapism.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Chelsea | 4.1 | 20.7 | 8.2 | 4.4 | 13.3 | 50.7 | 1.4 years |
7 Fulham
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.5 years
While it might not be the most shocking revelation in the study (more on that later), it’s certainly a surprise to learn that supporting Fulham is one of the most stress-inducing choices a Premier League fan can make in the 2024/25 season. Quiet, unassuming, and with a fanbase that prides itself on low expectations, those filling the stands at Craven Cottage have had a relatively smooth ride this term.
They kicked off the season in impressive form, even becoming outsiders for a potential European spot by Christmas. However, a dip in form followed, yet Raul Jimenez and his teammates have firmly established themselves as a Premier League mainstay. According to the study, it’s intriguing to note that environmental factors – like air pollution and the number of rainy matchdays – seem to be playing a role in the fact that Fulham supporters may have aged an average of one-and-a-half years this season, despite Chelsea fans just up the road not struggling from the same issues.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Fulham | 1.8 | 15.5 | 8.2 | 12 | 20 | 57.5 | 1.5 years |
6 Crystal Palace
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.5 years
Spending the first half of the season battling with teams near the bottom of the Premier League table, leaving their fans wondering if this would finally be the year they face relegation after nearly a decade of stability under Roy Hodgson, only to then spring to life in the latter stages of the season and launch a surprise FA Cup charge. This rollercoaster ride is undoubtedly the reason Crystal Palace fans rank high on the list of the most stressed supporters.
Palace fans just never know when they are coming or going. Add in the constant frustration of their travel plans, and being an Eagles supporter becomes even more stressful. Those based in SE25 have to navigate through central London on every away day, unless it’s a trip to face scorned rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, turning even the simplest journey into a potential headache. One saving grace, however, is that they tend to be good game managers, as their ‘late limbs’ score remains relatively low.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Crystal Palace | 21.6 | 15.5 | 9.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 58.9 | 1.5 years |
5 Aston Villa
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.7 years
The study revealed that Aston Villa fans have had to endure a stressful 295 minutes of stoppage time – the most of all clubs – as well as having lost the most sleep due to late-night fixtures, a total of 15 fixtures, leading to a possible 1,350 hours of sleep lost. This goes to show that there are many different components that determine stress levels.
Otherwise, it’s been another incredibly successful season for Villa. Sure, they’d love to secure that elusive first trophy in 30 years sooner rather than later, but the way they’ve balanced both domestic and continental football this term is a testament to Unai Emery’s ability to consistently silence his critics, while their ‘late limbs’ score stands at an impressive 0.1, meaning they’ve taken care of those late nights pretty well on the pitch.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Aston Villa | 22.7 | 25 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 0.1 | 65.5 | 1.7 years |
4 Newcastle United
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.7 years
One thing that Newcastle did that most of the other teams on this list could only dream of was end their longstanding trophy drought. It was 70 years since the Magpies last won a major honour, but the patience shown in the Eddie Howe project finally paid dividends when Alexander Isak and co. prevailed in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool back in March.
Their fans have still managed to claim fourth place with a total stress score of 73.6, though. They have had to travel by far the furthest distances to away games, spending a grand total of 169 hours travelling altogether. This also means fans are likely to spend a whopping 84.5 hours on their phones during the journey. So, clearly, glory has come at a price for those in black and white stripes.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Newcastle United | 22.3 | 18.8 | 15 | 4.2 | 13.3 | 73.6 | 1.7 years |
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3 Arsenal
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.7 years
Arsenal have run the risk of becoming the most reputable “nearly men” in English football over the past few seasons. Once again, they’ll finish this campaign without a trophy in hand, ending up as bridesmaids in the Premier League – a feat they’ve now accomplished three years in a row. They also fell short of a Champions League final spot, losing in the semi-finals to PSG.
The study also revealed that supporting Arsenal during the 2024/25 season could have added a whole 1.7 years to your appearance. The Gunners have seen the highest number of “late limbs” in the Premier League, with four crucial last-minute goals, 12 late-night matches, and one completely rearranged fixture – leaving fans with more grey hairs than they bargained for after so much unrealised promise under Mikel Arteta.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Arsenal | 23.9 | 20.1 | 8.2 | 4.2 | 20 | 76.4 | 1.7 years |
2 Everton
Estimated years added to appearance: 1.9 years
Constant battles with relegation, financial turmoil, and the ongoing nuisance of noisy neighbours who keep winning football’s biggest prizes – it’s enough to drive anyone mad. But there are signs that better days could be on the horizon for Everton supporters. With David Moyes returning to the helm and a move to their new home at Bramley Moore Docks on the horizon this summer, there’s a renewed sense of hope under fresh leadership and new investment.
For now, however, Everton rank as the second most stressful team to support this season, with 1.9 years added to Toffees fans’ appearances, scoring 77.3 out of 100. Everton supporters share the same poor air quality and rainy matchday conditions (three) as their local rivals, but they’ve played two fewer sunny-day games – just four compared to six for the Reds. That means less vitamin D, which, as the health expert revealed, is key for skin and mood.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Everton | 21.6 | 15.6 | 11 | 9.2 | 20 | 77.3 | 1.9 years |
1 Liverpool
Estimated years added to appearance: 2 years
While this has been Liverpool’s year on the pitch, it has not all been without its health risks to fans, as the research found that supporting the Premier League champions will have aged you the most of all Premier League clubs. In fact, this title-winning season alone could add an entire two years to a fan’s appearance.
Scoring 83.1 out of 100, Liverpool played in a total of 12 late-night fixtures this season, as well as watching through a total of 271 minutes of stoppage time over the course of the season, which could potentially disrupt their sleep schedule. The Reds are also one of six clubs that have had to cope with the stress of a rearranged fixture this season, their away tie against Everton. Additionally, Liverpool have featured in a total of 16 fixtures outside of the standard Saturday 3 pm slot, which could also have contributed to fans making late changes to their plans and schedules.
A Liverpool fan who has attended every away game this season, will have had to travel for a total of 119.8 hours on coach or public transport. It is also estimated that public transport users spend 50 per cent of travel time staring at mobile phone screens, giving Liverpool fans almost 60 hours of screen time while travelling away from a city that has to deal with some of the worst pollution levels.
| Stress factor score (out of 25) | Lack of sleep factor score (out of 25) | Travel factor score (out of 15) | Environmental factor score (out of 15) | ‘Late limbs’ factor score (out of 20) | Total ageing score (out of 100) | Estimated years added to appearance due to 2024/25 season | |
| Liverpool | 23.4 | 20.3 | 10.6 | 8.8 |
