The Premier League tops the list for longest effective playing time: how long is the ball in play?

The English Premier League tops the list of elite soccer leagues when it comes to effective playing time, according to sports analytics company Opta. Andrés Cantor discussed the findings of a recent study with his team on Fútbol de Primera, which is broadcast throughout the week from Monday to Friday.

What is the effective playing time in the Premier League?

The Premier League leads the way with the ball in play for an estimated 58 minutes and 32 seconds, which the panelists found surprising given it represents just 64% of the 90 minutes.

Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and Mexico follow

The Eredivise in the Netherlands is in second spot, with an approximate playing time of 58 minutes and 16 seconds, followed by France’s Ligue 1 at 57 minutes and 49 seconds. Germany’s Bundesliga (57 minutes and 20 seconds) and the Belgian Pro League (56 minutes and 20 seconds) round out the top five.

Liga MX’s effective playing time

Interestingly, Cantor revealed Opta’s analysis found Liga MX occupies sixth place, with the effective playing time in Mexico averaging out at 55 minutes and 54 seconds per game.

Study’s results surprise Fútbol de Primera panelists

“This has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Because you could be walking around the field and passing the ball from side to side and that counts as effective time. It doesn’t mean they are better quality leagues,” Cantor opined.

The fact effective playing time doesn’t surpass 60 minutes in any league was a source of surprise to the panelists, with Rosa Sánchez adding, “I think they played for longer in Real Madrid’s game today (against RB Leipzig in the Champions League).”

The MLS, meanwhile, is in the middle section of the leagues analyzed, with the ball in play for 54 minutes and 59 seconds. The Argentine Primera División finds itself in last position with just 50 minutes, more than eight and a half minutes less per match than the Premier League.