Wednesday, 30 Oct 2024

How Many Soccer Games Are There In a Season?

Soccer Match

With the wide variety of sports and leagues available, it can be challenging to keep track of how many games are played in each soccer season. The number of games also varies depending on the level of play. In this article, we will provide you with a breakdown of the typical length of a soccer season at different levels of play.

High School Season (Average)

Throughout the United States, high school soccer seasons typically take place in the fall when the weather is most pleasant. While there is no standard calendar across the country, the soccer season generally runs from August to October.

During the regular season, high school teams usually play between 10 and 12 games. If a team qualifies for the post-season, they may play a few additional games, typically totaling around 15 games over three months. Some states also have a spring soccer season, with girls’ teams playing in the spring and boys’ teams playing in the fall. The spring season often consists of shorter friendly games to help players develop their skills for the more competitive fall season.

College Season (Average)

College soccer players should expect a packed season. Over a span of 10 weeks, teams play 18 to 20 games in the regular season alone.

There were plans to vote on changing the number of games played due to concerns about player injuries from playing twice a week. However, the vote got delayed in 2020 due to the global shutdown. There are rumors that the topic will be revisited in 2022.

Pro Leagues In Europe

Let’s take a closer look at the number of games played in the top European soccer leagues and why their schedules are so similar.

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Premier League

Premier League Logo

The Premier League consists of 20 teams from England. It’s important not to confuse England with Britain or Great Britain, as those include additional countries. The Premier League follows a schedule of 38 games per season. For comparison, the Scottish Premiership, which has 12 teams, also plays 38 games per season.

At the end of the season, the three lowest-ranked teams in the Premier League face relegation to the English Football League, which consists of 24 teams. In the same time period, those 24 teams play in a round-robin format, resulting in a total of 48 games. The top two teams from the English Football League advance to the Premier League, while the third to sixth-placed teams compete in a playoff. The winner of the Championship playoff plays two additional games for a total of 50 games.

For more information about the Premier League schedule, visit Movin993.

La Liga

La Liga Logo

La Liga, the top Spanish league, also consists of 20 teams playing 38 games each. One of the most recognized teams in La Liga is Real Madrid, with a record 35 championship titles. Like the Premier League, La Liga follows a system of relegation. The three lowest-ranked teams are relegated to the Segunda Division, with 22 teams playing 42 games per season. The top two teams from the Segunda Division are promoted to La Liga.

For more information about the La Liga schedule, visit Movin993.

Serie A

Serie A

The Italian Serie A, home to teams like Juventus and AC Milan, also plays 38 games per season from August to May, similar to the Premier League and La Liga. The Serie B league, which consists of 20 teams, also plays 38 games per season. The top two teams from Serie B are promoted to Serie A. The third-placed team is promoted if they have a lead of 10 or more points over the fourth-placed team. Otherwise, a playoff round determines the promoted team, with the number of games played varying each year.

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Ligue 1

Ligue 1 Logo

Ligue 1, the top French league, currently consists of 20 teams playing 38 games. However, starting from the 2023-2024 season, Ligue 1 will have only 18 teams, resulting in a reduction to 34 games per season. Four teams will be relegated to Ligue 2, and only the top two teams will be promoted. Similarly, Ligue 2 teams currently play 38 games per season, but this will decrease in 2024 when Ligue 2 also has 18 teams.

Bundesliga

Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga features 18 teams that play 34 games from August to May. Each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away. The second Bundesliga league also consists of 18 teams, playing 38 games per season. The third-placed team from the second Bundesliga plays an additional game against the 16th-placed team from the Bundesliga to determine which team will play in the Bundesliga the following season. This means that one team from each league plays 39 games in a season.

Why Are the European Leagues So Similar?

All of the leagues mentioned above participate in the UEFA Champions League tournament. Under the organization of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), teams have adopted a more uniform schedule to be eligible for participation in the championships. UEFA, formed in 1954, organizes prestigious tournaments such as the Champions League, which began in 1992.

In the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and Serie A, the top four teams automatically qualify for the group stage of the Champions League. This adds an additional six games to their schedules. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout round, playing four more games. Therefore, the winner of the UEFA Champions League plays a total of 48 games, including regular-season, group stage, and knockout matches, from August to June.

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For more information on how the soccer season works, visit Movin993.

MLS/NWSL

MLS/NWSL

In the United States, there are professional men’s and women’s soccer leagues known as MLS (Major League Soccer) and NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). Both leagues play their regular seasons from March/April to October, with the post-season beginning in December.

In MLS, each team plays 34 games, with 17 at home and 17 away. Teams that make the post-season play up to 13 additional games, totaling 47 games. In NWSL, teams play 22 regular-season games, 11 at home and 11 away. Teams that qualify for the post-season play three additional games, making a total of 25 games.

For more information about the MLS schedule, visit Movin993.

FAQs

Q: Are there any other soccer leagues with different game quantities?
A: Yes, there are numerous soccer leagues worldwide, each with its own schedule and number of games. The leagues mentioned in this article represent some of the most popular and well-known leagues.

Q: Why do some leagues have more games than others?
A: The number of games played in each league is determined by various factors, including the league’s structure, the number of teams, and the association’s regulations. Leagues with more teams typically have more games.

Conclusion

Soccer is a much-loved sport worldwide, but the number of games in a season varies across different leagues. Most leagues follow a round-robin format, where each team plays every other team twice. As more teams are added to a league, the number of games increases. European leagues, in particular, have a similar number of games due to their participation in the UEFA Champions League. Whether you’re a fan of high school, college, or professional soccer, there are always games to enjoy throughout the season.

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