The answer to how long soccer games last may surprise you. While the game itself is only 90 minutes, several other important factors come into play that can add significant time to the length of the game. Let’s take a closer look at how long soccer games really last.
How long is a soccer game usually?
The average soccer game lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This includes time for halftime and any stoppages in play. However, if the game goes into overtime or a penalty shootout, then the game can last even longer.
How long do professional soccer games last? Professional soccer games usually last about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This includes time for halftime and any stoppages in play. However, if the game goes into overtime or a penalty shootout, then the game can last even longer.
Why do soccer games last 90 minutes? The soccer games are only 90 minutes because that is how long it takes for each team to have an equal number of turns with the ball. Once one team scores, the other team gets the ball and gets their turn. This back-and-forth play continues until the end of the game, regardless of how long it takes.
How Long is a Professional Soccer Game?
A professional soccer game is comprised of two 45-minute halves with a short break in between. However, the referee is allowed to add additional time to the end of each half for what is known as “stoppage time.” This additional time is added to account for delays throughout the game, such as injuries, substitutions, or any other number of reasons. Generally, stoppage time is only a few minutes long, but it can occasionally be longer. For example, in a recent English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, 9 minutes of stoppage time was added to the end of the game!
Circumstances for additional time
When the referee adds extra time to a soccer match, it’s often called stoppage time or injury time. This extra time can be due to a number of things, such as player injuries, disciplinary measures, delays due to VAR check by the referee, and drink or cooling breaks.
The fourth referee will hold up a sideboard to let players, coaches, and fans know how much time has been added. When the teams play this added time, the umpire can always add if needed but not reduce it. If a penalty kick is taken at the end of the game, the period will be extended until it is taken. The referee will decide when the match ends by blowing their whistle.
So if you’re ever watching a soccer game and see the fourth referee holding up a sideboard, now you’ll know what it means!
Extra Time & Penalties
The excitement of a soccer match can come down to the wire, with the possibility of penalties or extra time to determine a winner. This is true in tournaments but can also be seen in certain knockout or cup matches. If the game ends in a draw after the allotted time has expired, two halves of 15 minutes each will be played, with a short break separating them. If the match is still tied at the end of this added time, a penalty shootout will take place to determine the winner. This is done by taking turns shooting penalties until one team scores more points than the other. If the score is still tied after that, the teams will compete in a sudden death penalty shootout until one player misses and the other scores to put their team through. Even if your favorite team isn’t playing, watching a penalty shootout can be thrilling as the tension builds with each shot.
Including stoppage time, a typical professional soccer game will last around 2 hours. However, some extenuating circumstances can add even more time to the length of the game. If a soccer game goes to overtime, each team will play an additional 30 minutes. If the score is still tied after those 30 minutes, then the game will go to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. A penalty shootout consists of each team taking turns attempting five shots from the penalty spot. If one team has more goals than the other after those five shots, then they are declared the winner. If it’s still tied, then each team will take another shot until one team has more goals than the other. In total, a penalty shootout can last up to 20 minutes!
How long are college and high school soccer?
Collage soccer
A college soccer game is very similar to a professional game, lasting around 2 hours with a short break in between halves. However, there are some differences in the rules. For example, college soccer games are typically played with two 45-minute halves, but the clock is stopped whenever the ball goes out of bounds, or there is a stoppage in play. This can add quite a bit of time to the length of the game, sometimes making it last over two and a half hours.
High school soccer
High school soccer games are also similar to professional games, lasting around 2 hours. However, there are some differences in the rules. For example, high school soccer games are typically played with two 35-minute halves, but the clock is stopped whenever the ball goes out of bounds, or there is a stoppage in play. This can add quite a bit of time to the length of the game, sometimes making it last over two and a half hours.
How Long are Youth Soccer Games?
The duration of youth soccer games depends on the age group of the players. For example, U-6 and U-8 games consist of two 20-minute halves, while U-10 and U-12 games are played with two 25-minute halves. However, the clock is typically stopped whenever the ball goes out of bounds, or there is a stoppage in play, which can add quite a bit of time to the length of the game.
As you can see, the duration of a soccer game can vary depending on the level of play. Professional games typically last around 2 hours, while college and high school games can last up to 2 and a half hours. Youth games also vary in duration, depending on the age group of the players. However, the clock is usually stopped often during youth games, which can add quite a bit of time to the length of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the clock ever stop in soccer?
No, the clock never stops ticking in soccer. Even if there is a delay due to an injury, a replay, or something else, the time is made up with extra time. This may seem unfair to some people, but this has been the way soccer has been played for years. In some matches, there are not even 90 minutes of actual action, but referees try to get things as accurate as possible by using extra time.
How can I make my soccer game last longer?
If you want your soccer game to last longer, you can do a few things. First, you can add more time to the clock. Secondly, you can add more players to the field. Finally, you can make the playing area larger. All of these things will make the game last longer.
What is the longest soccer game ever played?
The longest soccer game ever played was between two English teams in 1885 and lasted an astounding 11 hours and 5 minutes! However, this record is unofficial because there were no official timekeepers at the game.
How long do World Cup soccer games last?
World Cup soccer games usually last about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This includes time for halftime and any stoppages in play. However, if the game goes into overtime or a penalty shootout, then the game can last even longer.
As you can see, the answer to how long soccer games last can vary depending on a number of factors. However, most soccer games will last about 2 hours and 15 minutes. So if you’re planning on attending a soccer game, make sure you have plenty of time set aside!
Conclusion
So, how long do soccer games last? The answer is around 2 hours on average, but several factors can play into adding more time to the length of the game. These include stoppage time, overtime, and penalty shootouts. So next time you’re wondering how long soccer games last, remember to factor in all of these potential delays!
