European Top 5: "Number of matches per season slightly down for the top clubs" (CIES)

"The analysis of the average number of official matches per season for the five major European leagues' representatives in the Champions League since the 2000-01 season shows that the number of fixtures is relatively stable, or even slightly down, which runs counter to the popular belief that the match calendar is becoming more and more crowded for the top clubs," states the CIES Football Observatory in its "Match Calendar and Player Workload" report, published on 18/07/2024.

According to the CIES, the average number of matches played by European Top 5 clubs in the Champions League was 50.8 in 2023-24, compared with a record 57.9 in 2020-21 (due to postponements following the Covid-19 pandemic) and 55.2 in 2002-03.

"The specific analysis on the number of official matches for three of the most successful and popular clubs worldwide, Real Madrid CF (LALIGA EA Sports), Manchester United FC (Premier League) and FC Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) shows that in all three cases the record number of matches in a season dates from the decade between 2000 and 2010: 66 matches in 2001-02 for Real…