Use of "al"

Question

In sentences such as, “Las mujeres juegan al fútbol” why is “al” in these sentences that I see in my Rosetta Stone course. Doesn’t “Las mujeres juegan fútbol” have the same meaning? “Women play fútbol”

Welcome to SpanishDict, Jeff. - rac1, Jul 21, 2017

Answer 1

Both are valid ways. The omission of the "al" is taken from the English but due to the vast use in American Spanish, I believe it has been accepted by the RAE.

I still will always add the "al". It sounds better to me.

Thanks ! I appreciate it. - Jeff7146, Jul 20, 2017

Answer 2

This link is similar to your question. using the contraction 'al'