How Long is a Game of Soccer?

Soccer scoreboard showing 90 minutes (photo by DavyJAllan)

Here’s a bizarre fact for you: the official rules of soccer that existed in 1863 didn’t say how long a game of soccer should be -- the two captains had to agree on a time before the kick off.

As soccer became more organized, it soon became obvious that the game needed an official length. The Football Association decided that each game should last 90 minutes...

How Long is a Professional Soccer Game?

A regulation game of soccer consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes. The actual playing time, therefore, is 90 minutes. Add to that the 15-minute halftime break, and the game actually lasts for 105 minutes (1 hour and 45 minutes).

Most soccer games, however, include some stoppage time (also known as added time or injury time), which the referee can add to the end of each half. Stoppage time normally lasts for a few minutes -- 1 to 4 minutes is normal.

Soccer Game Length in Knockout Competitions

In most knockout competitions, a game cannot end with a tied score -- the competition needs a clear winner to advance to the next round.

If the game is tied after 90 minutes, the two teams will play two additional halves of 15 minutes each. This 30-minute period is known as extra time.

If neither team wins the game before the end of extra time, a penalty shootout will decide the winner. Penalty shootouts can add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to a game.

So... a soccer game in a knockout competition could last for about 2 hours and 30 minutes. 

How Long is a Youth Soccer Game?

The length of a youth soccer game depends on the age group of the players involved. Players of 16 or 17 and above normally play full-length soccer games.

As the age range decreases, so too does the length of the game. Under-14s, for example, often play two halves of 35 minutes each (a 70-minute game), while Under-10s might play two halves of 25 minutes (a 50-minute game).

How long are your soccer games? Do you play the full 90 minutes, or shorter matches? Let us know in the comments box below!