Why is football so boring in 2026

Betting end of

All the diving and feigning of injuries dosent help, the only time you saw a footballer go down in the 70/80s was if some one had given them a right cross. Also PL money far to important to 14 of the teams in it who go out with the intention of not losing each week.

That does n t explain the top not been able to pass a ball and walk around in lot s of games

teams

People are paying good money to go to games watch on tv so no reason to walk up a pitch so all players are in same third of pitch.No reason whatsoever only happens in pro football games.

When betting billions of pounds is involved you will find corruption.As you can see in the ridiculous Var decisions of not stopping game to right a wrong.

Aug 26, 2026 -- 9:23PM, abba21 wrote:

That does n t explain the top not been able to pass a ball and walk around in lot s of games

Watch Jack Grealish i swear he plays walking football..

its about the best way of winning games ... it's a bit like real life , its all about boring efficiency ...athleticism ,speed and strength    ...to be effective/productive life has to be pretty mind numbing ...not a lot would get done if you just did fun things lol

I reckon the likes of George Best or Paul Gascoigne wouldn't make the Championship today  ...

The lack of skilled ballers in the Premier League is noticeable, as is the lack of top English strikers, in the 90's/early 00's, we had Shearer, Wright, Owen, Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, Sheringham, Fowler, now there's Kane and nobody else. Athleticism has replaced talent, players are recruited on statistics rather than the eye ball test, managers are having players foisted upon them that they don't really want by clueless sporting directors, only have to look at the absolute dross United have signed in recent years and the money they've spent on them.


Kind Regards.

All this possession based football is really boring, it's like watching a game of chess but with real people. They're just trying to pull someone out of position to create a small opening. The players themselves have tremendous skill levels but this tactical game play hardly gives them a platform to show it.
  Much more exciting in the 60/70/80s and the atmosphere generated by the standing crowds was thrilling, not the same anymore, also far too much Football shown on TV it's monotonous and boring imo.

Primarily Guardiola's influence which has fundamentally changed the role of the 9, wingers, defenders, how teams defend (from the front and tactical fouls to spoil counter attacks). All the way down to how kids are coached nowadays too. Mourinho deserves a mention as well as he was the first to win the PL playing 433 with inverted wingers and a link-player up top but not many teams copied that like nearly everyone did with Pep. 

Influence of video games/kids not playing street football as well but the top players are coached not to try anything risky, Pep even complained last season when Cherki assisted with a rabona. More recently an emphasis on strength/athleticism and set-pieces.

It may have been more exciting in the 80s and earlier but the standard was woeful in comparison. Loss of terracing and alienation of traditional working-class support base hasn't helped either. The grounds have basically been fully gentrified.

watching Jack Clarke glide past players in the Championship last year like a player from yesteryear was a joy to behold...but in the EPL he doesn't get a look in .

so however boring it is it reaps the  rewards

the Championship is basically the old 1st Division  .. premier league is a manufactured league of superstars .

Never boring at sjp,

Stick to highlites if watching 90 minutes Bores you.

love a 0-0 as it means abba has done his conkers again

I'm quite partial to a 0-0 as well.

When R.H. was in charge @ Selhurst Park, 0-0 at half time was like finding it in the street.

Have to say that I wasn’t looking forward to the new season but the couple of matches I’ve watched so far I’ve surprisingly enjoyed. The new rules seem to be working well so far in keeping the game flowing.

Some good points made cheers.