How Long is a Football Pitch? 10 Football Facts Every Fan Should Know
Football – often referred to as 'the beautiful game' – is one of the world's most popular sports. It is enjoyed by millions of people all over the globe, regardless of age or gender.
It is thought that football is played in over 200 countries, with a huge number of different professional tournaments and competitions taking place throughout the year. The action is never-ending, and there is always something to look forward to.
With so many different leagues and competitions come all sorts of different interesting facts and figures about the history of the sport and the game itself.
From facts about football pitches and answering questions like 'how long is a football pitch?' to records set by football clubs and unforgettable moments from infamous football players, here are ten football facts we think every football fan should know
#1 How Long is a Football Pitch?
Not all football pitches are created equal. The size of the football pitch will depend on the level of competition as well as the rules of the particular league.
Generally, the standard size of a Premier League football pitch measures up to 112 to 115 yards in length and 70 to 75 yards in width.
The largest football pitch size in England is 116 yards long and 77 yards wide, at Manchester City's Etihad stadium.
#2 Only One Team Has Won the World Cup Final in a Red Football Kit
Interestingly, only one team has ever won the world cup final playing in a red football kit.
England managed to win the 1966 World Cup wearing a red kit.
This is quite remarkable as red is a very popular choice amongst club-level football teams, yet its success rate at international tournaments is very low.
#3 The World Record Transfer Fee for a Player Sits at $222 Million
The world record transfer fee for a player that was paid in 2017 is $222 million. This was when Neymar Jr. moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain (PSG).
This is an astonishing amount of money, and it just goes to show how much footballers can earn from their profession.
#4 France Were Awarded the First Penalty Using VAR
VAR was formally introduced into the game of football in 2018.
France was awarded the first penalty by VAR playing against Australia during their 2018 World Cup group game. In this match, Antoine Griezmann was fouled inside the area, and as a result, France was awarded a penalty kick.
This was the first time that VAR had been used to award a penalty in an international match.
#5 First World Cup Hattrick Was Scored By An American Player
The first-ever hat trick scored in a World Cup match was by an American player, Bert Patenaude.
He achieved this feat playing against Paraguay during the 1930 World Cup. This is still considered one of the greatest accomplishments in world football history.
#6 The First International Football Match Took Place in 1872
The first-ever international football match was played between Scotland and England in 1872.
The game ended 0–0, and it marked the beginning of the modern game of football as we know it today.
#7 Football is the Most Popular Sport in the World
Football has come a long way since the first international game took place in 1872.
Today, it is by far the most popular sport in the world. According to FIFA, over 240 million people play football regularly across 200 countries, and more than 3 billion fans watch football around the world.
Women's sport is now also growing in popularity with more and more female players joining the ranks of professional football players.
#8 The 2018 FIFA World Cup Final is the Most-Watched Sporting Event Finale Ever
The 2018 FIFA World Cup finale was a record-breaking sporting event. It saw over 1 billion viewers tune in to watch the match between France and Croatia, making it the most-watched sports final of all time.
This just goes to show how popular football is global, with fans from all corners of the world tuning in to cheer on their football teams.
#9 Wrexham's Racecourse Ground is the Oldest Stadium Still Used for Football Today
The oldest football stadium still used for football today is Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.
The football pitch opened in 1807, with Wrexham starting playing in 1872.
The stadium has a capacity of 10,500 and is still used by Wrexham Football Club as their home ground. It is also the oldest international football stadium in the world.
Now, Wrexham Football Club is owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who have been praised for their support of the club. They have even promised to take the team back to the top flight!
#10 The Fastest Goal Scored in the FIFA World Cup Happened in 11 Seconds
The fastest goal ever scored in the FIFA World Cup was by Turkey's Hakan Sukur during their 2002 game against South Korea.
Sukur managed to score a goal within 11 seconds of the match beginning, making it the fastest-ever goal scored in a World Cup game.
This is an incredible feat and just goes to show the skill and athleticism of footballers around the world.
Summary: How Long is a Football Pitch & Other Interesting Football Facts
Football is a truly global game, and its popularity continues to grow every year. From the first international match in 1872, to the record-breaking 1 billion viewers that tuned in to watch the 2018 FIFA World Cup finale, it's clear that football remains one of the most beloved sports around the world.
From incredible feats such as Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, being the oldest stadium still used for football today, to the fastest goal ever scored in a World Cup game by Hakan Sukur, there is no denying that football is a sport that continues to inspire and fascinate fans around the world.
No matter which team you support or who your favourite player is, everyone can agree that football is a game of immense skill and passion. It's no wonder why it has become the world's most popular sport.
So, whether you're a fan or player, let's all keep celebrating the beautiful game!
FAQs
The football pitch dimensions of a Premier League pitch are 112 to 115 yards in length and 70 to 75 yards in width. The biggest football pitch in the Premier League belongs to Manchester City, with a length of 115 yards and width of 75 yards. The first international game of football was played in 1872 between Scotland and England. However, the exact origins of football can be traced back to Ancient China. Football is played in over 200 countries across the world, making it one of the most popular sports globally.What is the length of a standard football pitch?
Who has the biggest football pitch in the Premier League?
When was football invented?
How many countries play football?