how far do professional soccer players run in a game
Professional soccer players typically run about 6 to 8 miles per game, which is roughly 10 to 13 kilometers. A common average is around 7 miles, and midfielders often cover the most ground, sometimes closer to 9 to 10 miles in a match.
What affects the distance
- Position matters: midfielders usually run the most, while defenders and forwards generally cover less.
- Match style matters: a fast, high-pressing game usually means more running.
- Extra time matters: if a match goes longer than 90 minutes, the total distance rises.
A simple way to think about it
A full match can be about the same as running a 10K race for top-level players. That is a lot of movement, especially because it includes sprinting, jogging, walking, and repeated changes of direction rather than steady pace running.
Typical ranges
| Player type | Typical distance per game |
|---|---|
| Outfield player average | About 6 to 8 miles, or 10 to 13 km | [2][1]
| Midfielders | Often near 9 to 10 miles, or around 15 km | [5][10]
| Top-level match example | About 7 miles is a widely cited average | [8][10]