How Many Games in a Soccer Season?
Soccer enthusiasts around the world often wonder how many games are played in a season across various leagues. With soccer being the most popular sport globally, there’s no shortage of professional leagues spanning across countries and continents.
Each league has its own unique format that determines how many games are played in a season. For instance, major leagues such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Italian Serie A typically consist of 20 teams, which results in 38 games per season for each team. These leagues implement a double round-robin format where teams play each other twice: once at home and once away.
In contrast, other leagues like Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States and Canada follow a different structure. With a total of 28 teams divided into Eastern and Western conferences, each team plays a different number of games, adding up to around 34 matches per season. This guide will delve deeper into the specifics of various leagues and their formats, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of soccer seasons worldwide.
Understanding Soccer Seasons
Soccer seasons vary across different leagues and countries, but they all share a common structure of playing a certain number of games during the regular season. To understand soccer seasons, it’s essential to know how many games each of the top leagues play per season, and any additional competitions that may also take place.
In most professional leagues, like the English Premier League, La Liga (Spain), and Serie A (Italy), there are 20 teams, which means that each team plays 38 games in a season. Teams play against each other twice, once at home and once away. Some leagues, such as the Bundesliga (Germany), have fewer teams, with 18 teams playing 34 games each.
Here are a few examples of games played in different leagues:
- English Premier League (England) – 38 games
- La Liga (Spain) – 38 games
- Serie A (Italy) – 38 games
- Bundesliga (Germany) – 34 games
- Dutch Eredivisie (Netherlands) – 34 games
- Major League Soccer (MLS, United States) – 34 games
- Primeira Liga (Portugal) – 34 games
Other than league games, professional clubs also participate in various domestic and international cup competitions throughout the season. For example, English clubs participate in the FA Cup, while Spanish clubs compete in the Copa del Rey. International competitions like the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League also require clubs to play additional games, depending on their performance.
Overall, the number of games in a soccer season depends on the league, the country, and the club’s performance in domestic and international cup competitions. It is important to note that lower-tier leagues, high school, and college soccer have a different number of games per season.
Top European Leagues
English Premier League
The English Premier League (EPL) consists of 20 teams, each playing 38 games in a season which lasts from August to May. They play against each other twice, once at home and once away. A win is worth three points, a draw is worth one point for both teams, and a loss is worth zero. The team with the most points at the end of the season is the winner.
Spanish La Liga
Spanish La Liga is another top European soccer league with 20 teams. Similar to the EPL, each team plays 38 games in a season (once at home and once away against every other team). The point system follows the same structure: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The team with the highest points at the end of the season claims the championship title.
German Bundesliga
In the German Bundesliga, there are 18 teams competing, leading to a total of 34 games per team in a season. Teams face each other twice, both home and away, counting three points for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a loss. At the end of the season, the team with the highest points emerges as the Bundesliga champion.
Italian Serie A
Italian Serie A comprises 20 teams, with each team playing 38 matches in a season (once at home and once away against every other team). The league follows the same point system as the EPL, La Liga, and Bundesliga: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The team with the most points at the end of the season becomes the league champion.
French Ligue 1
French Ligue 1 also has 20 teams, playing 38 games in a season, following the home and away format. The point system remains the same—three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The team accumulating the highest points by the end of the season claims the Ligue 1 championship title.
Other Notable Leagues
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top tier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The MLS season has a total of 34 games per team, with teams playing against each opponent in their conference twice and the remaining matches against teams from the opposite conference. The season runs from late February or early March to October, followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs in November and December.
Brazilian Série A
Brazilian Série A is the highest level of professional soccer in Brazil and one of the strongest leagues in South America. The league comprises 20 teams, with each team participating in a total of 38 games throughout the season. The teams play a double round-robin format, facing each opponent home and away. The season runs from May to December, with the top four teams qualifying for the Copa Libertadores group stage.
Argentine Primera División
The Argentine Primera División is the top-flight soccer league in Argentina and is considered one of the most competitive leagues in South America. The league features 26 teams that play a total of 25 games during the regular season. The season is divided into two stages: the initial stage with teams split into two groups (Zona A and Zona B), playing a single round-robin format. The final stage, “Champion’s Trophy” or “Copa de la Liga Profesional,” is a knockout tournament where all teams participate, with the top four teams from each group earning a bye to the Round of 16. The season runs from February to December.
Factors Affecting Game Numbers
Cup Competitions
Cup competitions play a significant role in determining the number of games in a soccer season. These additional tournaments, such as domestic cups and international club competitions, add extra matches for participating teams. For example, in England, clubs compete in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup, while top-ranked clubs also participate in European competitions like the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League. As these events are held concurrently with league matches, they can increase the number of games a team plays in a season.
International Breaks
Another factor affecting the number of games in a soccer season is international breaks. During these periods, domestic leagues temporarily pause to allow players to represent their national teams in international competitions or friendly matches. International breaks impact the scheduling of league matches, as they require clubs to compress their fixtures into a more limited time frame. These breaks may necessitate adjustments to the number of games played within a season, either by increasing or reducing the total amount, depending on the specific league and its scheduling requirements.
How Season Length Relates to Performance
The length of a soccer season can greatly impact a team’s performance. In general, top leagues such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Italian Serie A, consist of 20 teams each playing 38 games per season. This considerable number of matches can lead to both physical and mental fatigue for players, affecting their overall performance.
Understanding the importance of managing player workload throughout the season, many clubs invest in player rotation and squad depth. This approach allows teams to rest key players during less important matches, reducing their risk of injuries and ensuring their best condition for crucial games. Moreover, it enables clubs to strategically plan for a balanced and consistent performance throughout the season.
Additionally, domestic cup competitions add extra games to a team’s schedule, demanding even more careful planning and resource allocation for clubs looking to excel in multiple competitions. For instance, English teams competing in both the FA Cup and the League Cup may face a much busier schedule compared to clubs solely focused on their league matches.
Furthermore, internationally recognized clubs often participate in European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League. These prestigious tournaments require a high level of performance to progress through the stages, adding more pressure and physical demand on top of an already intense calendar. Consequently, the combination of domestic and international matches can lead to increased likelihood of injuries and fatigue, potentially compromising a team’s performance in the long run.
In conclusion, a longer and more demanding season can significantly affect a team’s performance, necessitating the implementation of strategic planning and resource management. Clubs that can efficiently navigate their packed schedules, balancing domestic and international commitments, are more likely to achieve success and maintain a high level of performance throughout the season.
