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Nontransitive Patterns in Long-Term Football Rivalries

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  • Jan C. van Ours

Abstract

The phenomenon of nontransitivity in outcomes, typically observed in noneffort games with predetermined probabilities and immediate clarity, extends to team-based, time-consuming games requiring effort that unfold over a long period of time. This study explores this aspect through an empirical analysis of professional football matches in the Netherlands involving three prominent teams: Feyenoord, Ajax, and PSV. Contrary to conventional expectations, the results reveal a nontransitive pattern over more than three decades, indicating that Feyenoord is more likely to triumph over PSV, PSV over Ajax, and Ajax over Feyenoord than the reverse scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan C. van Ours, 2024. "Nontransitive Patterns in Long-Term Football Rivalries," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(7), pages 802-826, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:25:y:2024:i:7:p:802-826
    DOI: 10.1177/15270025241264235
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