FBref is a legitimate, free, and well-established football statistics website operated by Sports Reference. While it was long considered the premier free source for advanced analytics, the site lost access to its advanced Opta data in early 2026, significantly reducing its utility for deep analytical research. It remains a reliable resource for basic historical and league data, but users looking for advanced metrics should consider alternatives like The Analyst or FotMob.
Video reviews
Pros
- Reputable parent company (Sports Reference)
- Excellent for historical season-spanning analysis (basic data)
- Free to use with no account required for most features
Cons
- Advanced analytical data has been removed from the site as of early 2026
- Rudimentary live match-tracking compared to competitors
- Mobile user experience is poor for detailed tables
- Limited depth for leagues below the top divisions
⚠ Red flags
- Significant reduction in data depth following the loss of the Opta advanced data partnership in early 2026
Safety signals
Facts
Better options
Why switch: Following the removal of advanced Opta data from FBref, these sites remain reliable free alternatives for accessing xG and other match statistics.
Based on 8 sources
All About FBref.comWhat Is FBref? The Free Football Stats Site Analysts Actually Use — KiqIQ | KiqIQFBRef Alternatives — footyappsWhat Is FBref? The Free Football Stats Site Analysts Actually Use — KiqIQ | KiqIQFootball Stats and History Statistics, scores and history for 100+ men's and women's club and national team competitions.fbref.com - urlscan.iofbref.com Ownership Information and DNS RecordsYour FeedbackBuyer reports
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