FBRef Alternatives
Where to get advanced football data after FBRef lost Opta
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What Happened to FBRef?
On January 20, 2026, the football analytics community was rocked by the news that FBRef had lost its advanced data. In a blog post, Sports Reference president Sean Forman announced that their data provider, Stats Perform (the company behind Opta), had terminated their agreement and demanded the immediate removal of all advanced stats from the site [1].
The move came just eight days after Stats Perform was announced as FIFA’s exclusive betting data and streaming rights distributor for the 2026 World Cup [2]. While Stats Perform denied any connection, the timing led many in the community to believe the decision was commercial, aimed at protecting the value of their new FIFA deal by removing the world’s best free source of the same data.
“Data Democratization is a core Sports Reference value and the removal of this data is a sad day for all of us.”
— Sean Forman, Sports Reference President [1]
The impact was immediate and profound. FBRef had become the common language of the public analytics sphere, used by everyone from FPL players and journalists to aspiring professional analysts. Its loss was described by one content creator as a “sad indictment of where football’s heading” [3].
What Data Was Lost?
FBRef was the single most important free resource for football analytics. Everything beyond basic goals, assists, and appearances was Opta-sourced and is now gone:
What remains is still a valuable resource for historical results, basic stats, and squad information across more than 100 competitions, but the advanced analytics that powered modern football analysis are gone.
The Impact on Women's Football
This is arguably the most devastating aspect of the data removal. When FBRef added Opta data in 2022, it brought advanced stats to 10 new women's competitions, becoming the only free, large-scale source for this information [4].
The loss of this data represents a massive step back for the analysis and coverage of the women's game. While some alternatives exist, the disparity is stark. Across the sources listed in this guide, women's competitions receive xG coverage at only 19% the rate of men's competitions — a 3.5x disparity.
Source Comparison Table
Every legitimate alternative to FBRef for advanced data, compared side-by-side. This guide only covers sources with official, legitimate data access methods (APIs, downloads, or direct website use).
| Source | Tier | Price | xG | Advanced | Coverage | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Analyst | Free | Free | Big 5, Champions League, selected internationals | website | Browsing official Opta stats for free in a web interface. | ||
| StatsBomb Open Data | Free | Free | Selected historical competitions | download | Learning data analysis, building a portfolio, or academic research. | ||
| FotMob | Free | Free (Pro version removes ads) | 500+ leagues worldwide | website | The best free tool for browsing women's football data and match-level xG. | ||
| Understat | Free | Free | 6 leagues (Big 5 + Russian Premier League) | website | Quickly checking xG and xA for Big 5 league matches and players. | ||
| SofaScore | Free | Free | Comprehensive men's leagues + 7 women's competitions | website | Browsing Opta-powered xG and match stats in a browser. | ||
| football-data.co.uk | Free | Free | 25+ European leagues | download | Downloading historical results and betting odds for free. | ||
| SkillCorner Open Data | Free | Free | 10 sample matches | download | Learning how to work with football tracking data. | ||
| MarkStats | Free | Free | Big 5 leagues | website | A free, high-quality source for browsing advanced stats and visualizations. | ||
| Sportmonks | Paid (Individual) | From €78/mo (with xG) | 27-2,200+ leagues (by plan) | api | The cheapest API with xG data, if you can accept the add-on pricing. | ||
| API-Football | Paid (Individual) | $19-39/mo | 1,200+ competitions | api | Building apps with standard football data (not analytics). | ||
| football-data.org | Paid (Individual) | Free to €199/mo | 12-100 competitions (by tier) | api | Hobby projects and learning basic API development. | ||
| DataMB | Paid (Individual) | From €9.99/mo | Top 7 leagues | website | Visual analysis and player comparison for a reasonable monthly price. | ||
| Hudl StatsBomb | Enterprise | ~$5,000+/yr | 200+ competitions, 200,000+ players | api | Professional clubs, media companies, and serious analytics firms. | ||
| Stats Perform / Opta | Enterprise | ~$10,000+/yr | 1,000+ competitions globally | api | Broadcasters, betting companies, and top-tier media. | ||
| Wyscout | Enterprise | From ~$3,000/yr | Comprehensive global coverage (600+ comps) | website | Professional scouting departments and club analysts. |
Browsing official Opta stats for free in a web interface.
Learning data analysis, building a portfolio, or academic research.
The best free tool for browsing women's football data and match-level xG.
Quickly checking xG and xA for Big 5 league matches and players.
Browsing Opta-powered xG and match stats in a browser.
Downloading historical results and betting odds for free.
Learning how to work with football tracking data.
A free, high-quality source for browsing advanced stats and visualizations.
The cheapest API with xG data, if you can accept the add-on pricing.
Pricing details
Base European plan: €39/mo. xG is a SEPARATE add-on: xG Basic €39/mo (xG per fixture, 12hr delay), xG Standard €129/mo (xG + xGoT, post-match), xG Advanced €269/mo (all metrics live). Minimum with xG: €39 base + €39 xG Basic = €78/mo.
Building apps with standard football data (not analytics).
Pricing details
Free: 100 req/day (limited). Pro: $19/mo (7,500 req/day). Ultra: $29/mo (75,000 req/day). Mega: $39/mo (150,000 req/day).
Hobby projects and learning basic API development.
Pricing details
Free: 12 competitions, 10 calls/min. Tier One: €49/mo (25 competitions). Tier Two: €99/mo (50 competitions). Tier Three: €199/mo (100 competitions).
Visual analysis and player comparison for a reasonable monthly price.
Pricing details
Monthly: €9.99. 6 Months: €54.99. Annual: €104.99.
Professional clubs, media companies, and serious analytics firms.
Pricing details
Enterprise only. 3,400+ events/match, 190+ competitions, xG, xA, OBV, possession sequences, freeze frames, StatsBomb 360, physical data.
Broadcasters, betting companies, and top-tier media.
Pricing details
Enterprise only. The original source — real-time event data, xG, 1,000+ competitions, 30 years of history, AI predictions.
Professional scouting departments and club analysts.
Pricing details
Individual tiers (Copper/Mercury) have been discontinued. Gold and Diamond tiers are for organisations and require contacting sales. Primarily a video scouting platform.
Free Data Sources
No single free source replaces FBRef. The best approach is combining several, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
- Official Opta data (the same source FBRef used)
- xG maps, player stats, detailed chalkboards
- Curated editorial content and predictions
Weaknesses
- Not a raw data tool; for browsing only
- No data export or API access
- Limited to competitions and players Opta chooses to feature
Strengths
- Gold-standard event data (3,400+ events/match)
- Includes FA WSL, 2023 Women's World Cup, Messi's entire Barca career
- Legitimate, officially released data for research and learning
- Python and R packages available for easy use
Weaknesses
- Historical data only — no current-season information
- Limited competition selection
- Cannot be used for live tools or commercial applications
Strengths
- Best free source for women's football xG (WSL, NWSL, etc.)
- Huge league coverage
- Clean, well-designed app and website for browsing stats
Weaknesses
- Not designed for data export; browser/app viewing only
- xG model is not Opta's
- Limited historical depth for advanced stats
Strengths
- Free xG, xA, xGChain, xGBuildup for every shot since 2014/15
- Clean interface for viewing player and team stats
Weaknesses
- Only 6 leagues covered
- Own xG model (not Opta)
- No progressive passes, pressing, or defensive actions
- No data export feature; browser viewing only
Strengths
- Opta-powered xG per shot
- Player ratings, heatmaps, match momentum visuals
- Some women's competition coverage
Weaknesses
- Actively blocks automated access; browser/app viewing only
- No official API or data export
Strengths
- Free CSV/Excel downloads of historical results and betting odds
- Data goes back to 1993/94 for some leagues
- Excellent for results-based modelling and backtesting
Weaknesses
- No advanced performance metrics (no xG, no progressive passes)
- Only provides basic match results and odds
Strengths
- Unique physical/tracking data (distance, speed, off-ball movement)
- Legitimate, officially released data for research
- Excellent for learning tracking data analysis
Weaknesses
- Extremely limited scope (10 matches)
- Not a replacement for event data like xG or passes
Strengths
- Free access to xG, xA, and other advanced metrics
- Clean interface with good data visualizations
- Covers all Big 5 leagues
Weaknesses
- Browser viewing only, no data export or API
- No women's football coverage
Paid Data Sources (Individual)
For those willing to pay, a few API providers offer access to advanced metrics, but a significant pricing gap exists between basic data and professional-grade analytics.
Base European plan: €39/mo. xG is a SEPARATE add-on: xG Basic €39/mo (xG per fixture, 12hr delay), xG Standard €129/mo (xG + xGoT, post-match), xG Advanced €269/mo (all metrics live). Minimum with xG: €39 base + €39 xG Basic = €78/mo.
Strengths
- The cheapest legitimate API with xG data
- Developer-friendly REST API with good documentation
- 14-day free trial available
Weaknesses
- xG is a costly add-on on top of the base plan
- No progressive passes or pressing data even with xG add-on
- Advanced xG (live, all metrics) costs €269/mo + base plan
Free: 100 req/day (limited). Pro: $19/mo (7,500 req/day). Ultra: $29/mo (75,000 req/day). Mega: $39/mo (150,000 req/day).
Strengths
- Huge coverage (1,200+ competitions)
- Well-documented REST API
- Affordable entry price for basic data
Weaknesses
- No xG or any other advanced analytics
- Basic match data only
Free: 12 competitions, 10 calls/min. Tier One: €49/mo (25 competitions). Tier Two: €99/mo (50 competitions). Tier Three: €199/mo (100 competitions).
Strengths
- Generous free tier (Big 5 + CL)
- Well-documented and reliable for basic data
- Good for hobby projects and learning API development
Weaknesses
- No xG or any other advanced analytics
- Basic match-level data only
Monthly: €9.99. 6 Months: €54.99. Annual: €104.99.
Strengths
- Excellent data visualization tools (radars, plots)
- Affordable price for the quality of tools provided
- Includes an AI chat feature for data queries
Weaknesses
- Website access only, no API or data downloads
- No women's football coverage
Enterprise Data Sources
For professional clubs, media companies, and betting operators. Access requires contacting a sales team and significant budget.
Enterprise only. 3,400+ events/match, 190+ competitions, xG, xA, OBV, possession sequences, freeze frames, StatsBomb 360, physical data.
Strengths
- Best-in-class data quality and depth
- Full suite of advanced metrics including OBV and 360 data
- Used by 500+ professional clubs
- Strong women's football coverage
Weaknesses
- Enterprise pricing only, not accessible to individuals
- Free open data is historical only
Enterprise only. The original source — real-time event data, xG, 1,000+ competitions, 30 years of history, AI predictions.
Strengths
- The gold standard original data source
- Unmatched breadth of coverage (1,000+ competitions)
- Real-time feeds, widgets, and data dumps
Weaknesses
- Enterprise pricing only ($10,000+/yr minimum)
- The company that terminated FBRef's data access
Individual tiers (Copper/Mercury) have been discontinued. Gold and Diamond tiers are for organisations and require contacting sales. Primarily a video scouting platform.
Strengths
- World's biggest football video library
- 70+ player parameters, 95+ team parameters
- Excellent for video scouting and opposition analysis
Weaknesses
- No longer accessible to individuals at a low price point
- More a video tool than a raw data export tool
- No xG data
Which Source Should You Use?
What to use, based on your situation.
The Hobbyist Analyst
You made FPL radars and pizza charts from FBRef data. You want to continue your analysis for free, focusing on the Big 5 leagues.
Use The Analyst to browse official Opta stats. Use Understat for its clean xG/xA interface. For deep historical projects, download StatsBomb's free data.
The Developer
You're building a football app and need an API. Standard stats are fine for now, but you might want to add xG later.
Start with football-data.org's generous free tier for prototyping. If you need wider coverage, API-Football is the cheapest option for basic data. Budget for Sportmonks (€78/mo) if you need to add xG via a legitimate API.
The Women's Football Analyst
You relied on FBRef for women's football data and now feel lost. You need the best available free sources to continue your work.
FotMob is now your primary tool for browsing women's xG data. For deep historical analysis, use StatsBomb's free FA WSL and World Cup data. Use SofaScore for its Opta-powered stats on 7 women's competitions.
The Aspiring Pro
You want to work in professional football analytics and need to learn with the best data, but can't afford an enterprise license.
Master the StatsBomb and SkillCorner open datasets. They are the same data formats used by pro clubs. Building a public portfolio with this data is the best way to get noticed.
Key Takeaway
There is no single free replacement for what FBRef offered. The football analytics community has lost its commons, and the data has moved behind expensive enterprise paywalls.
For hobbyists and independent analysts, the new reality involves piecing together insights from multiple free sources. For those with a budget, Sportmonks offers the most accessible entry point for API access to xG, but true professional-grade data from providers like StatsBomb and Opta remains out of reach for individuals.
The loss of FBRef is a significant blow, particularly for the women's game, and it signals a broader trend towards the commercialization and closing of football data.
References
- FBref & Stathead Data Update - Sports-Reference.com
- FBref and Opta: The data break-up that sent soccer’s analytics world into meltdown - The Athletic
- Fantasy Premier League fans' nightmare comes true as sudden U-turn sees “FPL cheat code” pulled - The Mirror
- Loss of FBref advanced stats is disaster for women's soccer data - The IX
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