CIES study ranks slowest football leagues, five from Americas
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 12, 2026, 3:30 PM
Last updated Nov 12, 2026
A recent study by CIES Football Observatory identifies five of the slowest football leagues in the world, all located in the Americas. Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Paraguay are highlighted for the high percentage of distance covered by players at speeds below 15 kilometers per hour. Liga Ecuabet and Liga 1 of Peru occupy the top two positions in slow play, while the English Premier League ranks significantly faster. The analysis examined data from 62 leagues, revealing differences in game pace and intensity between South American and European football. Factors such as altitude and heat are discussed as contributing elements to the slower style of play observed in these leagues.
- •CIES study finds Ecuador's Liga Ecuabet as the slowest league.
- •Peru's Liga 1 ranks second in slow play.
- •English Premier League presents a much faster game style.
- •Altitude and heat impact player performance and game pace.
- •Discussion around intensity of play in South American leagues continues.
- 3:30 PMYahoo Sports — Five of the World’s Slowest Football Leagues Are in the Americas And That is Not a Criticism
"Five of the world’s ten slowest football leagues in a recent CIES study are in the Americas. Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay all made the list, which probably won’t surprise anyone who spends their weekends watching South American or Liga MX football. But what exactly does slow mean, and does it actually make the games worse to watch? In September, the CIES Football Observatory and SkillCorner examined the share of distance players covered at speeds below 15 kilometres per hour acro
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