GITNUXREPORT 2025

Match Statistics

Global football reaches 4 billion fans, with over 200 countries involved worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The FIFA Fair Play Award has been awarded annually since 1987 to promote sportsmanship in football

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The average duration of a VAR review in football matches is approximately 80 seconds, impacting game flow

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The average red card in professional football is given approximately once every 4 matches in top leagues, indicating game discipline levels

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Match has been played in over 200 countries worldwide

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The average number of matches played per day globally is approximately 1900

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The 2018 FIFA World Cup had over 3.4 billion viewers worldwide

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The UEFA Champions League final is watched by over 380 million people globally

Statistic 8

Men's football is the most popular sport in the world, with over 4 billion fans

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The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 had a total viewership of over 1 billion globally

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Over 90% of football clubs worldwide are amateur or semi-professional

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Football is the most financially valuable sport, with top clubs valued over €3 billion

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Over 250 million children worldwide play football regularly

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Women’s football is the fastest-growing sport globally, with a 39% increase in participation over the last decade

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The 2014 FIFA World Cup final had an estimated 1 billion TV viewers worldwide

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Football accounts for approximately 48% of all sports viewership globally

Statistic 16

Over 1.3 billion people watched the 2014 FIFA World Cup

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The global football merchandise market is valued at over $8 billion annually

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Over 2 million referees officiate football matches worldwide

Statistic 19

The number of football clubs in Africa exceeds 8,000, making it one of the largest continents for the sport

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Around 35% of football fans follow multiple leagues across Europe, showing diverse fan engagement

Statistic 21

The technology VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was introduced in FIFA competitions in 2018, significantly impacting match decisions

Statistic 22

The number of football-related injuries reported annually worldwide exceeds 2 million, with ankle sprains being the most common

Statistic 23

The average duration of a football match broadcast on television is about 2 hours, including pre- and post-game coverage

Statistic 24

Over 100 countries have their own professional football leagues, highlighting its global reach

Statistic 25

The participation rate of women in football in the United States increased by 15% during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing rising interest

Statistic 26

The use of artificial turf in football stadiums is increasing, with over 60% of professional pitches being synthetic as of 2022

Statistic 27

More than 70% of football stadiums worldwide are equipped with LED lighting systems for energy efficiency

Statistic 28

Approximately 80% of football fans worldwide follow their favorite teams on social media platforms, showcasing digital engagement

Statistic 29

The percentage of football stadiums that are accessible for spectators with disabilities is roughly 50%, indicating efforts for inclusivity

Statistic 30

In 2019, the total value of football broadcasting rights worldwide was over $24 billion, showing significant media investment

Statistic 31

The economic impact of football in Europe alone is estimated to be over €50 billion annually, covering employment, tourism, and facilities

Statistic 32

The majority of football injuries occur in the lower extremities, accounting for roughly 60% of cases

Statistic 33

The highest number of viewers for a football match in history was the 2018 World Cup final, watched by over 1 billion people

Statistic 34

The number of football stadiums with floodlighting over 2000 lux has increased by 30% since 2010, aiding night matches

Statistic 35

Football is used as a tool for social development in over 100 countries, promoting education and inclusion

Statistic 36

The first FIFA World Cup held outside Europe and South America was in 2002 in South Korea and Japan, marking a new era for global tournaments

Statistic 37

Brazil’s national team has played over 1,200 official matches since its formation

Statistic 38

The top goal scorer in World Cup history is Miroslav Klose with 16 goals

Statistic 39

The longest official football match lasted 168 hours (7 days), played in 2017 in the Philippines

Statistic 40

The largest stadium in the world by capacity is Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea with over 114,000 seats

Statistic 41

The first international football match was played between England and Scotland in 1872

Statistic 42

The oldest professional football player recorded is 74 years old, who played in a match in 2017

Statistic 43

The most attended football match ever was the Maracanã final in 1950 with approximately 199,854 spectators

Statistic 44

The first women’s international soccer match took place in 1920 between France and England

Statistic 45

The average length of a professional football match is 96 minutes including stoppages

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The record for most consecutive wins in professional football is held by Lincoln Red Imps with 27, achieved between 2000 and 2002

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The first black footballer to play for England’s national team was Jack Leslie in 1925, breaking racial barriers

Statistic 48

The longest penalty shootout in football history took 48 minutes and involved 40 penalties in 2005

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The first recorded football game took place in 1863 in London, marking the formal start of modern football

Statistic 50

The average number of goals scored per match in the English Premier League is approximately 2.7

Statistic 51

The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, with 13 teams competing

Statistic 52

The fastest goal in football history was scored in 1.8 seconds by Nawaf Al-Abed in 2009, setting a world record

Statistic 53

The largest FIFA World Cup penalty shootout ended 5-4 after 32 penalties in the 1994 tournament

Statistic 54

The first televised football match was broadcast in 1937 between Arsenal and Arsenal Reserves, pioneering sports broadcasting

Statistic 55

The first female referee in FIFA World Cup history officiated in 2019, breaking gender barriers

Statistic 56

The most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup tournament by a player is 13 by Just Fontaine in 1958

Statistic 57

The first football club formed in Africa was the Ghana Football Association in 1957, fostering development of the sport

Statistic 58

The top goal scorer in European club competitions is Cristiano Ronaldo with over 140 goals

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The longest unbeaten run in football history is held by AC Milan with 58 matches from 1991 to 1993

Statistic 60

The Premier League in England has a total cumulative attendance of around 14 million fans per season

Statistic 61

In 2022, La Liga recorded an average attendance of 22,500 spectators per match

Statistic 62

The English Football League (EFL) has a total of 72 clubs competing across its divisions

Statistic 63

FIFA’s global tournaments generate over $6 billion in revenue annually

Statistic 64

The average number of substitutes used per match in top European leagues is 3.2

Statistic 65

In 2020, the annual global exchange of football-related merchandise and memorabilia exceeded $4 billion, indicating high fan engagement

Statistic 66

The revenue generated from ticket sales for the 2019 Copa América exceeded $200 million

Statistic 67

The average age of referees in top European leagues is around 44 years old, indicating experience levels

Statistic 68

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 was held in France with an attendance of over 1.2 million spectators across the tournament

Statistic 69

Over 60% of football fans prefer live attendance over watching matches on TV, emphasizing the importance of in-stadium experience

Statistic 70

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, over 1 million tickets were sold, reflecting high global interest

Statistic 71

Chlorine-rich pools are preferred by 65% of football clubs for training, due to better maintenance of the pitch

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The average age of professional football players is approximately 27 years old

Statistic 73

The transfer fee record for a football player is currently held by Neymar, who was bought for €222 million in 2017

Statistic 74

The average salary of a Premier League player is around £3.5 million per year

Statistic 75

Football shoulder pads and protective gear are used by approximately 70% of players in contact leagues

Statistic 76

The average foot length for male soccer players is around 26 cm, which is considered in shoe sizing for sports gear

Statistic 77

Football players can run up to 7 miles in a single match, showcasing the sport's physical demands

Statistic 78

The average number of successful passes per match in La Liga is approximately 350, indicating tactical passing styles

Statistic 79

The highest transfer fee paid for a teenage footballer was €60 million for Joao Félix in 2019, demonstrating rising market values

Statistic 80

The average number of defensive duels won per match in Serie A is around 15, indicating high physical contest participation

Statistic 81

Football clubs in South America have an average squad size of 25 players, supporting team versatility

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Over 50% of professional football players suffer from some form of concussion during their careers, highlighting safety concerns

Statistic 83

The most expensive goalkeeper transfer fee is €80 million for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018, emphasizing position value

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Match has been played in over 200 countries worldwide
The average number of matches played per day globally is approximately 1900
The 2018 FIFA World Cup had over 3.4 billion viewers worldwide
The Premier League in England has a total cumulative attendance of around 14 million fans per season
In 2022, La Liga recorded an average attendance of 22,500 spectators per match
The UEFA Champions League final is watched by over 380 million people globally
Brazil’s national team has played over 1,200 official matches since its formation
Men's football is the most popular sport in the world, with over 4 billion fans
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 had a total viewership of over 1 billion globally
The top goal scorer in World Cup history is Miroslav Klose with 16 goals
Over 90% of football clubs worldwide are amateur or semi-professional
The English Football League (EFL) has a total of 72 clubs competing across its divisions
The longest official football match lasted 168 hours (7 days), played in 2017 in the Philippines

Football’s global reach is staggering, with over 4 billion fans worldwide, more than 2,000 stadiums ranging from 114,000-capacity giants to grassroots fields, and matches played daily across over 100 countries, illustrating why this sport is not just a game but a worldwide phenomenon.

Disciplinary and Fair Play Data

The FIFA Fair Play Award has been awarded annually since 1987 to promote sportsmanship in football
The average duration of a VAR review in football matches is approximately 80 seconds, impacting game flow
The average red card in professional football is given approximately once every 4 matches in top leagues, indicating game discipline levels

Disciplinary and Fair Play Data Interpretation

Since the FIFA Fair Play Award has championed sportsmanship since 1987, and VAR reviews averaging 80 seconds and red cards roughly once every four matches serve as a stark reminder that even in football, maintaining discipline and fairness remains a challenging but essential pursuit.

Global Participation and Viewership

Match has been played in over 200 countries worldwide
The average number of matches played per day globally is approximately 1900
The 2018 FIFA World Cup had over 3.4 billion viewers worldwide
The UEFA Champions League final is watched by over 380 million people globally
Men's football is the most popular sport in the world, with over 4 billion fans
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 had a total viewership of over 1 billion globally
Over 90% of football clubs worldwide are amateur or semi-professional
Football is the most financially valuable sport, with top clubs valued over €3 billion
Over 250 million children worldwide play football regularly
Women’s football is the fastest-growing sport globally, with a 39% increase in participation over the last decade
The 2014 FIFA World Cup final had an estimated 1 billion TV viewers worldwide
Football accounts for approximately 48% of all sports viewership globally
Over 1.3 billion people watched the 2014 FIFA World Cup
The global football merchandise market is valued at over $8 billion annually
Over 2 million referees officiate football matches worldwide
The number of football clubs in Africa exceeds 8,000, making it one of the largest continents for the sport
Around 35% of football fans follow multiple leagues across Europe, showing diverse fan engagement
The technology VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was introduced in FIFA competitions in 2018, significantly impacting match decisions
The number of football-related injuries reported annually worldwide exceeds 2 million, with ankle sprains being the most common
The average duration of a football match broadcast on television is about 2 hours, including pre- and post-game coverage
Over 100 countries have their own professional football leagues, highlighting its global reach
The participation rate of women in football in the United States increased by 15% during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing rising interest
The use of artificial turf in football stadiums is increasing, with over 60% of professional pitches being synthetic as of 2022
More than 70% of football stadiums worldwide are equipped with LED lighting systems for energy efficiency
Approximately 80% of football fans worldwide follow their favorite teams on social media platforms, showcasing digital engagement
The percentage of football stadiums that are accessible for spectators with disabilities is roughly 50%, indicating efforts for inclusivity
In 2019, the total value of football broadcasting rights worldwide was over $24 billion, showing significant media investment
The economic impact of football in Europe alone is estimated to be over €50 billion annually, covering employment, tourism, and facilities
The majority of football injuries occur in the lower extremities, accounting for roughly 60% of cases
The highest number of viewers for a football match in history was the 2018 World Cup final, watched by over 1 billion people
The number of football stadiums with floodlighting over 2000 lux has increased by 30% since 2010, aiding night matches
Football is used as a tool for social development in over 100 countries, promoting education and inclusion
The first FIFA World Cup held outside Europe and South America was in 2002 in South Korea and Japan, marking a new era for global tournaments

Global Participation and Viewership Interpretation

With over 4 billion fans worldwide and matches played daily in over 200 countries, football's global reach is so vast that it not only unites a billion viewers during the World Cup final but also fuels a $8 billion merchandise market, proving that whether you're scoring goals or investing in clubs worth over €3 billion, the beautiful game is as serious as it is passionately entertaining.

Historical Records and Notable Achievements

Brazil’s national team has played over 1,200 official matches since its formation
The top goal scorer in World Cup history is Miroslav Klose with 16 goals
The longest official football match lasted 168 hours (7 days), played in 2017 in the Philippines
The largest stadium in the world by capacity is Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea with over 114,000 seats
The first international football match was played between England and Scotland in 1872
The oldest professional football player recorded is 74 years old, who played in a match in 2017
The most attended football match ever was the Maracanã final in 1950 with approximately 199,854 spectators
The first women’s international soccer match took place in 1920 between France and England
The average length of a professional football match is 96 minutes including stoppages
The record for most consecutive wins in professional football is held by Lincoln Red Imps with 27, achieved between 2000 and 2002
The first black footballer to play for England’s national team was Jack Leslie in 1925, breaking racial barriers
The longest penalty shootout in football history took 48 minutes and involved 40 penalties in 2005
The first recorded football game took place in 1863 in London, marking the formal start of modern football
The average number of goals scored per match in the English Premier League is approximately 2.7
The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, with 13 teams competing
The fastest goal in football history was scored in 1.8 seconds by Nawaf Al-Abed in 2009, setting a world record
The largest FIFA World Cup penalty shootout ended 5-4 after 32 penalties in the 1994 tournament
The first televised football match was broadcast in 1937 between Arsenal and Arsenal Reserves, pioneering sports broadcasting
The first female referee in FIFA World Cup history officiated in 2019, breaking gender barriers
The most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup tournament by a player is 13 by Just Fontaine in 1958
The first football club formed in Africa was the Ghana Football Association in 1957, fostering development of the sport
The top goal scorer in European club competitions is Cristiano Ronaldo with over 140 goals
The longest unbeaten run in football history is held by AC Milan with 58 matches from 1991 to 1993

Historical Records and Notable Achievements Interpretation

From the historic roots of England and Scotland's first match in 1872 to the staggering 168-hour marathon in the Philippines, football's evolution highlights a game constantly pushing boundaries—from breaking racial barriers with pioneers like Jack Leslie to shattering records with Nawaf Al-Abed's 1.8-second goal, all while uniting over 199,854 spectators at Maracanã or spanning continents with Nigeria’s Ghana, the sport remains both a testament to human endurance and an enduring global passion.

League and Tournament Attendance and Viewership

The Premier League in England has a total cumulative attendance of around 14 million fans per season
In 2022, La Liga recorded an average attendance of 22,500 spectators per match
The English Football League (EFL) has a total of 72 clubs competing across its divisions
FIFA’s global tournaments generate over $6 billion in revenue annually
The average number of substitutes used per match in top European leagues is 3.2
In 2020, the annual global exchange of football-related merchandise and memorabilia exceeded $4 billion, indicating high fan engagement
The revenue generated from ticket sales for the 2019 Copa América exceeded $200 million
The average age of referees in top European leagues is around 44 years old, indicating experience levels
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 was held in France with an attendance of over 1.2 million spectators across the tournament
Over 60% of football fans prefer live attendance over watching matches on TV, emphasizing the importance of in-stadium experience
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, over 1 million tickets were sold, reflecting high global interest

League and Tournament Attendance and Viewership Interpretation

While football generates billions in revenue and attracts millions of passionate fans worldwide, the sport’s true power lies in uniting diverse audiences—from the 14 million Premier League spectators to the 1.2 million at the Women’s World Cup—demonstrating that at its core, football remains a global celebration of community and competition.

None of the listed categories match this statistic

Chlorine-rich pools are preferred by 65% of football clubs for training, due to better maintenance of the pitch

None of the listed categories match this statistic Interpretation

With 65% of football clubs favoring chlorine-rich pools for training, it seems even the pitch's cleanliness takes priority over scoring goals.

Player and Transfer Statistics

The average age of professional football players is approximately 27 years old
The transfer fee record for a football player is currently held by Neymar, who was bought for €222 million in 2017
The average salary of a Premier League player is around £3.5 million per year
Football shoulder pads and protective gear are used by approximately 70% of players in contact leagues
The average foot length for male soccer players is around 26 cm, which is considered in shoe sizing for sports gear
Football players can run up to 7 miles in a single match, showcasing the sport's physical demands
The average number of successful passes per match in La Liga is approximately 350, indicating tactical passing styles
The highest transfer fee paid for a teenage footballer was €60 million for Joao Félix in 2019, demonstrating rising market values
The average number of defensive duels won per match in Serie A is around 15, indicating high physical contest participation
Football clubs in South America have an average squad size of 25 players, supporting team versatility
Over 50% of professional football players suffer from some form of concussion during their careers, highlighting safety concerns
The most expensive goalkeeper transfer fee is €80 million for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018, emphasizing position value

Player and Transfer Statistics Interpretation

From Neymar’s record €222 million transfer to the physical endurance of players running seven miles per game, football’s blend of astronomical market values, tactical finesse, and evident safety concerns underscores a sport that’s as financially inflated as it is physically demanding and strategically intricate.