Research by the Premier League has shown that matches this season have featured more play than in 2021/22.
Last season the ball was in play in Premier League matches for an average of 54 minutes and 33 seconds. In the 292 matches of 2022/23 so far, this average has increased to 55 minutes and 18 seconds.
The introduction of the multiball system from this season, with 10 match balls available for players to use, is one factor in this.
The research also showed that the length of Premier League matches this season has increased from an average of 97min 27sec in 2021/22 to 98min 5sec in 2022/23.
Season comparison
| Average time | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
|---|---|---|
| Ball in play | 54:33 | 55:18 |
| Match length | 97:27 | 98:05 |
