Have you ever noticed how long are soccer games? Stoppage time, extra time, and a penalty shootout are part of the game. So, how long are soccer games? Or How many minutes in a soccer game?
Soccer game lasts 90 minutes officially. To save a game from a draw or tie, it can be extended to 30 minutes more in the shape of two 15-minute halves. It excludes all interruptions and stoppages. Finally, there may be penalties. A soccer game can last up to 2 and a half hours.
In this article, we will get to know exactly how long are soccer games.
How Long are Soccer Games?
A professional soccer game lasts 90 minutes for both men and women. But in some cases, it can be increased to 120 minutes or 2 hours. 90 minutes of the game consists of two halves of 45 minutes each with a break of 15 minutes between both.
In addition, it extends due to stoppage time like sudden injuries, and celebrations. To overcome a tie there may be a penalty shoot-out.
How Long are Soccer Games in Minutes?
The following is a breakdown of the length of a soccer game:
- Regular time 90 minutes.
- Two halves of 45 minutes.
- 15 minutes of break between two halves.
- For knockout stages, overtime of 30 minutes is added
- Extra time of 2-5 minutes at the end of every half.
- If the game is going towards a draw or tie, 3-6 minutes for the penalty shootouts.
How Long Do Youth Soccer Games Last?
Rules for youth soccer leagues are different. Like the number of players is different per game. More than three substitutes are allowed. How long are soccer games, determined by the age group.
How long are soccer games for each group of age?
| Age Groups | Duration |
| Under 6 | Four Quarters of 6 minutes. |
| Under 8 | For quarters of 12 minutes. |
| Under 10 | Two halves of 25 minutes. |
| Under 11 & Under 12 | Two halves of 30 minutes, additional two 10-minute halves. |
| Under 13 & Under 14 | Two halves of 35 minutes, additional two 10-minute halves. |
| Under 15 & Under 16 | Two halves of 40 minutes, additional two 15-minute halves. |
| Under 17, 18 & 19 | Two halves of 45 minutes, additional two 15-minute halves. |
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What is Stoppage Time in Soccer?
Stoppage time is added by the referee or match official at the end of a game. It compensates for a time loss during a match due to various acceptances.
It is also called Added time or injury time. How long are soccer games, mainly depends on the stoppage time.
Sometimes injuries cause a delay in action, but the clock keeps running and it looks strange. In some sports like basketball injuries stop a game but not in soccer.
In soccer, we have additional stoppage time due to injuries or player celebrations of goals. In a similar fashion, there are many reasons for the delay in action.
Why Does the Soccer Clock Count Up Rather Than Down?
You may notice that the soccer clock always goes up and does not stop during the game. The action may be stopped for a variety of reasons, such as an injury, a celebration, or during a substitution. It is because of the wasted time added at the end of the game in the shape of stoppage time.
Another reason for the clock going up rather than down is to keep the referee in command of the game.
In order to determine the end of the half, the referee can add up any time wasted by the player.
Having the referee this level of authority enables them to concentrate on the game rather than pausing their watch and resuming the play clock.
How Long Does a College Soccer Game Last?
College soccer games last for 90 minutes with two halves of 45 minutes. With a 15 minutes gap between the half.
Moreover, the Golden Goal Rule is one of the most interesting accepts of NCAA college soccer.
If both teams have no score at the end of the game, it will conclude in a tie. If the game ends in a tie and both sides score, the game goes into overtime.
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How Long are Soccer Games With the Extra Time?
If the soccer game does not go for completion in 90 minutes then in some cases it goes into extra time.
The extra time consists of 30 minutes with two halves of 15 minutes each.
The goals scored during the extra time are considered a part of the final score.
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How Long are Soccer Games on Tv?
The average soccer game lasts 1:52 hours and 112 minutes including stoppage and halftime. That’s how it takes to enjoy a soccer match on TV or in person.
Moreover, it takes 1:45 hours or 105 minutes if stoppage time is excluded.
Despite the official game duration of 90 minutes, soccer games usually last longer since stoppage time is always added.
Why Do Soccer Games Go Over 90 Minutes?
Soccer games go above 90 minutes for many reasons. Some are listed below.
- Replacement.
- Injuries during the match.
- Goal celebration.
- Referee call.
- Drink break and Cooling break.
FAQs
A high school girl’s game is similarly 80 minutes long, divided into two halves of 40 minutes or four quarters of 20 minutes.
Middle school soccer games typically consist of two 30-minute halves separated by a 5-minute break.
High school soccer games are often divided into two 40-minute halves, for a sum of 80 minutes.
To Wrap it up: How Long are Soccer Games?
In this article, we learned how long soccer games are. Briefly, it consists of two 45 minutes halves. In addition to stoppage time or overtime of 30 minutes.
If there is a tie then we have extra time or penalty shootouts to enjoy. There are several reasons why games go overtime. But mainly due to injuries or celebrations.
Moreover, Youth soccer has different lengths according to their age group.
