Ranking The Top 10 Best football clubs in Norway Statistically

 

 

Football is the most popular Sport in Norway which has further helped the country produced some of the best clubs domestically.

 

The Norwegian Eliteserien is the top flight Professional league contested by 16 teams across the country.

 

 

The Eliteserien today represent the best football clubs in Norway.

 

Since the inception of the league in 1937, Rosenborg has remained at the top as the best football club in Norway with over 26 league titles including another record 12 Norway FA Cup.

 

 

Beginning from 1937, the league has undergone several transformations as well as a name change.

 

Founded in 1937, the league began with Norgesserien, Hovedserien, 1. division, Tippeligaen and Eliteserien from 2017 present.

 

 

Highlighting the most popular football clubs in Norway

 

Since football is the most popular sport in the country, lots of clubs have attracted the interest of lovers of the game in the country.

 

The most popular football clubs in Norway are Rosenborg, Molde, Midtjylland, Vålerenga, Start, etc.

 

Ranking the best football clubs in Norway

 

1. Rosenborg

 

Rosenborg Ballklub is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Trondheim that competes in the Eliteserien.

 

Rosenborg is the most successful club in Norway club football history with a record 26 Eliteserien titles and a shared Norwegian Football Cup 12 times.

 

 

At the international space, Rosenborg Ballklub remains the top side that has represented the country in UEFA club competitions including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

 

 

Founded in 1917, Rosenborg is one of the early Eliteserien members and holds the record as the only team to finish the league season without a loss.

 

 

A record that made Arsenal FC a unique football club in the English Premier League alongside Nottingham Forest in the old National First Division.

 

 

Climbing up the ladder of Norwegian football, Rosenborg reached the Eliteserien during 1937–38 then known as the League of Norway.

 

 

The club was relegated to the lower divisions but returned to the top flight once again during 1967 as Rosenborg Ballklub after it operated initially ad Odd.

 

 

Since the 1967 football campaign, the club has not failed to perform at its best, dominating the domestic scene as well as representing the country in UEFA Competitions.

 

 

Rosenborg Ballklub Trophies and Achievements

Rosenborg prides itself as the number one top club of Norway and had never performed below expectations ever since it gained prominence.

 

Eliteserien – National

When it comes to the Norwegian Eliteserien, Rosenborg is the most successful team in the country with a record 26 league titles to its name.

 

This includes a thirteen-year Norwegian Eliteserien winning streak beginning from 1992 to 2004.

 

This stands today as a national, European as well as a world record for Rosenborg.

 

Yet again from 2015 to 2018, the club had another four-year league winning streak to move the number of titles to 26.

 

2018 was the last time the club lifted the title.

Titles: 26 record.

 

Norwegian Football Cup – National

Rosenborg second success in the domestic scene is the Norwegian Football Cup or NM Cupen or simply the Norway FA Cup for international football followers.

 

The club holds a joint record of 12 Norwegian Football Cup alongside Odd (Odds Ballklubb).

 

Odd on the other hand have never won the Eliteserien but have enjoyed more success in the Norwegian Football Cup.

 

For Rosenborg, the club’s first triumph was in 1960 and was able to defend the title it won between 2015 and 2016.

 

Between these two seasons, the club also won the league title making it double trophy winners.

 

Mesterfinalen – National

The Supercup of Norway. Rosenborg also records winners with three titles in 2010 including back to back wins between 2017 and 2018.

 

UEFA Intertoto Cup – International

Rosenborg won the UEFA Intertoto Cup alongside 10 other European clubs.

 

2. Molde FK

 

Molde Fotballklubb is a Norwegian Professional club based in Molde that competes in the Eliteserien.

 

Molde FK is one of the strongest and the most successful team in the country alongside Rosenborg.

 

The club enjoyed success in the league and Cup Competitions and also represented Norway in the UEFA Champions League group stages.

 

An achievement yet to be made by other teams from the country.

 

The club’s participation in UEFA Champions League attracted top sides including Real Madrid, Porto, etc.

 

Molde FK Trophies and Achievements

Eliteserien – National

Despite achieving the status as one of Norway’s best clubs, Molde began winning the Eliteserien in 2011 which was successfully defended the following year in 2012.

 

In total, Molde FK has won 4 Norwegian league titles. The club had also ended as runners up ten times as well as third in three seasons.

 

Norwegian Cup – National

The club won its first FA Cup title in 1994. However, it took another eleven-year span to win a second cup title in 2005.

 

Molde FK also won the Norwegian Cup title and defended it between 2013 and 2014.

 

3. Lillestrøm

Lillestrøm Sportsklubb is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Lillestrøm that competes in the Eliteserien.

 

Lillestrøm is one of the most successful football clubs in Norway haven won 5 league titles, 6 Norwegian Cups, and one-time runners up in the Royal League and UEFA Intertoto Cup.

 

Lillestrøm Trophies and Achievements

 

Eliteserien – National

Lillestrøm have also enjoyed success in the top flight with over 5 league titles. The club has also won 6 Norwegian Football Cups.

 

Lillestrøm also finished as runners up in the Royal League and UEFA Intertoto Cup.

 

Norwegian Football Cup – National

Lillestrøm defended its first-ever Cup title in 1977 the following year in 1978.

 

Following up with this success, the club went further to win four more titles.

 

4. Viking

 

Viking Fotballklubb is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Stavanger that competes in Eliteserien.

 

Viking holds a high place in Norwegian Football history as one of the most successful having won 8 Eliteserien and 6 Norwegian Football Cup.

 

Viking FK Trophies and Achievements

Viking FK is one of the most successful teams in the country.

 

Eliteserien – National

Although most of the club’s league successes were recorded during the 20th century, there have been most consistent performances over the years.

 

Norwegian Football Cup – National

This is a major trophy Viking FK have won in the modern era of football in the country. Two trophies were achieved between 2001 and 2019.

 

In total, Viking have won 6 Norwegian Football Cup titles.

 

5. Vålerenga

Vålerenga Fotball is a Norwegian Professional football club based in the Capital City Oslo that competes in the Eliteserien.

 

Founded in 1913, the club nicknamed “The Pride of Oslo” had continued to represent the nation’s capital city across every domestic Competition.

 

Vålerenga Fotball Club Trophies and Achievements

 

Eliteserien – National

Vålerenga has won over 5 league titles with its first title in 1965. The club’s last success was in 2005.

 

Norwegian Football Cup – National

Champions of Norway in 1980, it took the club more than seventeen years to claim a second title. In total, Vålerenga has won 4 FA Cup titles.

 

6. SK Brann

SK Brann is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Bergen that competes in the Eliteserien.

 

Brann is one of Norway’s top performers in European football competitions once in the late 90s and the early 2000s.

 

SK Brann Trophies and Achievements

 

Eliteserien – National

SK Brann is a three-time winner of the league between 1961–62, 1963 and 2007.

 

Brann has also finished as runners up in six seasons.

 

Norwegian Cup – National

The club has won six titles most of which were achieved in the 20th century. In 2004, Brann made history by clinching the Cup title.

 

7. Odds BK

Odds Ballklubb or simply Odd is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Skien that competes in Eliteserien.

 

Odd uniquely holds a joint record of most Norwegian Football Cup titles alongside Rosenborg with 12 titles each.

 

The club has failed to win the Eliteserien but has its success traced down to the country’s national knockout cup competition.

 

Even as it has 12 titles, Odd has also lost in 9 finals which would have propelled the team to the top of the all-time winner’s chart if achieved.

 

Eliteserien – National

None

 

Norwegian Football Cup – National

Odd are twelve-time Champions alongside Rosenborg which stands as a national record between the two clubs.

 

8. Fredrikstad FK

Fredrikstad Fotballklubb is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Fredrikstad that competes in Eliteserien.

 

The club could be seen as the second most successful football club in Norway having won 9 league titles, and 11 Norwegian Football Cup titles.

 

Founded in 1903, Fredrikstad became a household name when it comes to football in the country until its relegation to the second division.

 

Fredrikstad Trophies and Achievements

 

Eliteserien – National

They enjoyed success during the 20th century, winning all nine league titles.

 

Despite these successes that were achieved, they also ended as runners up on nine occasions most notably in 2008.

 

Norwegian Football Cup – National

Fredrikstad has won 11 Norwegian Football Cup titles. The last time it achieved success was in 2006.

 

Almost all Fredrikstad trophies were achieved during the 20th century.

 

9. IK Start

IK Start is a Norwegian Professional football club based in Kristiansand that competes in the Eliteserien.

 

Idrettsklubben Start was founded in 1905, the club is a two-time league winner.

10. Strømsgodset Toppfotball

 

Strømsgodset Toppfotball is a Norwegian Professional team based in Drammen that plays in the Eliteserien.

 

Founded in 1907, the club is one of the most successful soccer teams in the country.

 

Over the years, the club has been consistent in the domestic league.

 

Although the competitiveness of the league is much, Strømsgodset has continued to perform at the highest level.

 

Strømsgodset Trophies and Achievements

 

Eliteserien – National

Strømsgodset have won two league titles in 1970 and in 2013. The club have also ended as runners up in 2012 and 2015.

 

Norwegian Cup – National

Strømsgodset have won over five Norwegian Cup titles

 

Competitiveness of Football in Norway

As the number one sport in the country, the domestic football scene is one of the most common in Europe.

 

Having sides like Vålerenga, Molde FK, Midtjylland, Bodø/Glimt, Lillestrøm, Rosenborg, the Eliteserien is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.

 

Except for the early years when Rosenborg, Molde won most of the titles, the 21st century has more of a competitive league where every club must fight to finish top.

 

Rosenborg who records league winners is currently trailing when it comes to consistently over the last two seasons beginning from 2019.

 

Honoured Norwegian Clubs

In the list of honoured clubs, Rosenborg is the number football club in Norway, hence it was handed a two-star golden logo which is reflected on the team’s official crest.

 

 

The two other clubs closest to Rosenborg are Fredrikstad with 9 and Viking 8.

 

Popularity

Football remains the most popular in the country. Brann achieved a record number of spectators in a single matchday which was a high as 16 thousand.