Average Distance Covered By a Premier League Football Player

Premier League football is known for its intensity, with players constantly moving to support their team both defensively and in attack. Across the pitch, every position brings different physical demands—and distance covered is one of the clearest signs of the effort involved.

How far a player runs can depend on their role, the team’s tactics, and individual fitness. Some positions naturally involve more movement than others, but stamina and work rate are essential across the board.

In this guide, we take a closer look at how much ground Premier League players typically cover during a match and what these figures might reveal about the modern game. Read on to learn more.

What Is The Average Distance Covered By Premier League Footballers?

Premier League players typically cover between 10 and 12 kilometres during a 90-minute match, according to official tracking data collected throughout the season. The exact distance varies depending on several factors, including a team’s tactics, the player’s role on the pitch and the overall tempo of the game.

Midfielders generally cover the most ground. Their position requires them to move constantly between defence and attack, often resulting in distances that exceed 11 kilometres per match. Some, like James Ward‑Prowse, have averaged even higher distances over the course of a season.

By contrast, defenders and forwards usually record slightly lower totals. Full-backs tend to be more active than central defenders, averaging around 9.9 kilometres per game, while central defenders often stay closer to 9.3 kilometres. Forwards typically fall somewhere in between, depending on their playing style and the team’s system.

Goalkeepers, as expected, cover the least distance—often around 5 kilometres per match—since their movement is mostly limited to the penalty area.

Players who don’t complete the full 90 minutes, such as substitutes or those taken off early, will naturally cover less ground. This is simply due to spending less time on the pitch rather than a reflection of their effort or role.

How Is Distance Covered By Footballers Measured?

Player movement in the Premier League is tracked using advanced technology, providing teams and fans with precise data. Multiple camera systems installed around stadiums continuously record each player’s position during a game, creating an accurate log of their movement.

In addition to cameras, GPS trackers are sometimes worn by players in vests, especially during training and occasionally in official matches. These devices capture distance, speed, and rapid direction changes, all contributing to a thorough understanding of player workload.

To ensure reliability, all stats are verified before being used for analysis or broadcast. This data is essential for player development and tactical review.

Top 10 Most Distance Covered In a Football Match

Certain matches see players push their limits, covering distances far above the norm. In these games, individual effort and tactical demands stand out, offering a closer look at what professional footballers are capable of.

Here are ten of the highest recorded distances by footballers in competitive matches:

• Marcelo Brozović (Croatia)—16.7 km
  • 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, Croatia vs Japan (including extra time)
• Vladimír Darida (Hertha Berlin)—14.7 km
  • Bundesliga, Hertha Berlin vs Borussia Dortmund, May 2020
• Vladimír Darida (Hertha Berlin)—14.3 km
  • Bundesliga, Hertha Berlin vs Augsburg, May 2020
• Steven N’Zonzi (Sevilla)—13.9 km
  • La Liga, widely reported high-distance run
• James Milner (Liverpool)—13.8 km
  • Premier League, known for high work rate and distance
• N’Golo Kanté (Leicester City)—13.7 km
  • Premier League, Leicester vs various matches
• Christian Gentner (VfB Stuttgart)—14.3 km
  • Bundesliga, official recorded distance
• Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal)—13.5 km
  • Premier League, high-distance performances
• Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)—13.6 km
  • Premier League, often among top distance runners
• Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)—13.4 km
  • Premier League, consistent high-distance coverage

These performances highlight how circumstances on the pitch—from demanding tactics to the intensity of the match—can see players covering large distances.

Average Distance Covered By Football Referees

Referees are just as active during matches as many players. On average, a referee in the Premier League will cover about 10 to 12 kilometres during the course of a game.

The job requires them to keep up with play, often sprinting, changing direction quickly and adapting their pace so they’re always in the best spot to make decisions. Assistant referees, who operate along the touchlines, typically cover less ground but must remain alert for offside calls and fouls.

Fastest Football Players of All Time

Speed on the pitch is a key attribute that can shape a player’s style and provide a valuable tactical advantage for their team. Around the world, several footballers have gained recognition for their remarkable sprinting speeds, recorded during official matches.

Some of the fastest speeds documented include:

• Kylian Mbappé, who reached a top speed of 38 km/h in a Ligue 1 game
  
• Adama Traoré, recorded at nearly 37 km/h during Premier League action
  
• Alphonso Davies, who clocked 36.51 km/h in a Bundesliga match
  
• Gareth Bale, sprinting at 36.9 km/h in La Liga
  
• Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been measured at 33.6 km/h at his peak across various leagues

These figures highlight the athleticism of footballers at the highest level and the importance of pace in the modern game.

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