What is the average distance run in a football match?

You don’t always notice it while watching, but football players run a ridiculous amount.

Some spend the entire match buzzing around the pitch, others glide through long shifts without ever looking tired, and plenty of midfielders clock up miles without drawing much attention to themselves.

Distance covered isn’t the most glamorous of stats. You don’t hear crowds cheering over a five-kilometre evening shift. But it does show who is doing the hard graft behind the moments that make the highlights. It reveals which players keep the match moving and which teams rely on constant energy to win territory, close space, and build attacks.

Let’s dive into the stats and find out how far players actually run and why it matters. 

What is the average distance covered in a match?

The average distance covered in a match at Premier League level usually sits between 10 and 12 kilometres. That number can swing depending on position and playing style, but it tends to land in that bracket most weeks.

Full-backs often lead the way because they join attacks and then sprint back into defensive shape. Central midfielders usually come close behind because they move with every phase of play and cover the gaps that open when the rest of the team pushes forward.

Some forwards and defenders travel less raw distance, but even they log consistent ground over the course of ninety minutes. Premier League football demands near-constant movement and the data reflects that.

Why do players run so much?

Modern teams use space to control matches. Pressing triggers, rotation patterns and positional play all rely on running at the right time. 

The distance itself matters less than the timing behind it: 

• A full-back pushing forward creates space for a midfielder to drop in

• A striker closing down the goalkeeper sets off a chain reaction that squeezes the pitch

• A wide back stops counters before they build

These movements all accumulate distance, and the behind-the-scenes numbers show how much unseen work goes into maintaining it. 

Who runs the most?

In most seasons, midfielders usually end up clocking the most distance.

Full-backs also feature heavily near the top of the charts. Their job asks them to stretch the pitch in both directions, which produces long runs throughout the match rather than the occasional burst.

It’s important to remember that distance isn’t always a measure of quality, but it can highlight roles that might not look impressive at first glance. Some players keep the entire structure of play balanced simply by being in constant motion.

Marathon Men: The players that never stop moving

If you’re interested in football distance covered data, our upcoming Marathon Men board will show who is putting in the biggest shifts every week.

We're building a leaderboard that uses realtime data to highlight the relentless runners who keep their teams pushing forward, whether they’re chasing lost causes, supporting every attack, or quietly sweeping up loose space before it becomes a problem.

Distance covered also plays a part in our exciting game of chance - Match Bingo. Your bingo cards react to sustained phases of pressure, repeated forward runs, and much, much more. It turns the hard yards into an interactive game you can play along with as the match develops.

Premier League fixtures are live in the app. Download now and keep up with the players who never stop moving.