Flamengo top Brasileirão for ball-in-play time, CBF ranking shows | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, an Opta/CBF Academy ranking presented at a CBF event on Monday shows Flamengo average 57 minutes 39 seconds of ball in play per match, 56.7%, the highest in the 2026 Brasileirão.

Chapecoense are next on 54 minutes 55 seconds, 53.5%. Grêmio follow with 54 minutes 39 seconds, 53.3%, and Vasco sit fourth on 54 minutes 35 seconds, 53.7%.

The study covers all 20 Serie A clubs, with Red Bull Bragantino recording the lowest figure, 50 minutes one second, 48.7%.

On Monday afternoon in Rio de Janeiro, Serie A and Serie B clubs approved a package of measures to curb timewasting. Many were trialled at the last World Cup, aimed at boosting effective time.

The analysis also notes that Chapecoense, Grêmio and Vasco, despite high averages, show some of the largest shifts between drawing and leading, slowing more when ahead. It stresses that a strong season average does not automatically mean more gamesmanship, teams may still ease the tempo after taking the lead.

A similar pattern appears in the Premier League, where Manchester City have the highest average ball-in-play time and also vary most between drawing and leading situations.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”