Soccer Match Length
Soccer is the most widely played sport in the world, with an estimated 3.5 billion fans worldwide. However, despite its popularity, newcomers to the sport may still struggle to understand the ins and outs of the rulebook. That is where we come in. We are here to explain how long a soccer match lasts.
A soccer match is 90 minutes long, split into two halves. The length of a standard professional soccer game is the same across every recognised league on every continent, meaning all of the best Irish soccer teams play 90-minute matches. The actual playtime can vary significantly depending on the pace of the game and interruptions. FIFA studies have shown that the ball is in active play for only around 55 to 65 minutes of a 90-minute match. This is largely due to fouls, injuries, substitutions, and the ball going out of bounds.
The length of a soccer match can vary depending on the competition. Some formats allow more substitutions, with each stoppage delaying the length of a game. Others call for extra time or penalties to be played when they can’t separate a winner. However, all of these subtle changes are impacted by stoppages from substitutions, goals, or fouls.
Any time added on by the referee is to be played at a minimum, with any further stoppages during that time compensated. For example, if four minutes were added to the end of the half and the referee deemed there to be two minutes of stoppages, then he may not end the half until a minimum of six minutes have elapsed.
How Long is a Half In A Soccer Match?
A soccer match is divided into two 45-minute halves. The structure of these games has been in place since the International Football Association Board established the laws of the game. During each half, the clock continues to run without stopping for any interruptions. This includes things like injuries, substitutions, or the ball going out of play.
Unlike sports such as basketball or American football, the game clock in soccer does not stop frequently. Instead, the referee keeps track of lost time and adds it to the end of each half in what is known as stoppage time or injury time. This can often make soccer even more exciting with last-minute goals and drama adding to the experience.
At the end of each half, referees can add on a minimum amount of stoppage/injury time according to those stoppages in play. The referee will typically stop his watch during pauses in play and add the time accumulated at the end of each half. The IFAB determined that the following factors must be considered by referees for playing time lost:
- Substitutions
- Assessment and/or removal of injured players
- Wasting time
- Disciplinary sanctions
- Medical stoppages permitted by competition rules, e.g. ‘drinks’ breaks (which should not exceed one minute) and ‘cooling’ breaks (ninety seconds to three minutes)
- Delays relating to VAR ‘checks’ and ‘reviews’
- Goal celebrations
- Any other cause, including any significant delay to a restart (e.g. due to interference by an outside agent)
Both halves are played with a running clock. That means once the 45 minutes begin, it keeps going until the half is completed. Referees are the only officials authorised to determine the official time. He signals the end of each half by blowing his whistle, after which the players will return to the changing rooms with their coaches.
How Long is Halftime in a Soccer Match?
Between the two 45-minute halves, players are given a break known as halftime. FIFA regulations assert that halftime must last for 15 minutes. This period is crucial for rest, strategy adjustments, hydration, and match-going fans to grab food or bet on the match. Soccer betting is a great way to pass the time, as there are plenty of live markets to choose from.
During this interval, teams retreat to their dressing rooms where coaches deliver tactical instructions, address issues from the first half, and potentially make substitutions. It’s a vital regrouping period and can play a major role in how the second half unfolds.
While the halftime interval is strictly set at 15 minutes for professional and international matches, lower leagues or youth competitions might be slightly shorter. This depends on the league or event organiser.
Importantly, the halftime break cannot be extended without the referee’s permission. Teams that fail to return to the pitch on time can be penalised. Match officials are instructed to ensure that matches resume promptly at the end of halftime to maintain the game’s flow and fairness.
How Long is Extra Time in a Soccer Match?
Not all matches end after 90 minutes. In knockout-stage competitions, where a winner must be determined, such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, or domestic cup competitions. Matches that end in a draw after 90 minutes go into extra time. That can make soccer predictions all the more tricky.
Extra time consists of two 15-minute halves, totalling an additional 30 minutes of play. There’s typically a short 1- to 2-minute break between the two halves of extra time, but not a full halftime.
If the score is still tied at the end of extra time, the match proceeds to a penalty shootout, where each team takes penalty kicks to decide the winner. Extra time is often gruelling, testing the physical and mental limits of the players. Coaches are allowed to make an additional substitution in extra time (on top of the standard five allowed in regulation), and hydration breaks are sometimes permitted due to the extended play. If stoppage time is added to each extra time half, which is common, matches can stretch even further, sometimes approaching 140 minutes in total before penalties are taken.
- Regulation time: 90 minutes (2 x 45 minutes)
- Halftime: 15 minutes
- Extra time: 30 minutes (2 x 15 minutes)
- Total match length with extra time (not including shootout): Up to 135 minutes
Soccer Game Length and Delays
In some unusual circumstances, a soccer match can be delayed or postponed. Usually, this is down to adverse weather conditions, such as torrential rain or a thunderstorm. Matches can be abandoned to resume another day as a worst-case scenario.
Other factors can cause delays to soccer matches, such as medical emergencies in the stands, issues with the venue’s power or running water, or pitch invaders. Sometimes animals can delay the start of a game, as curious dogs or stray cats wander onto the pitch. The officials will count each minute during these unforeseen events and add the time to ensure play lasts as close as possible to 90 minutes.
Conclusion
So, how long is a soccer match? The answer depends on the level of play, the competition format, and the events within the game. A standard professional soccer match consists of:
- 90 minutes of regulation time (2 halves of 45 minutes)
- 15-minute halftime break
- Stoppage time added at the end of each half (typically 1–10 minutes)
- 30 minutes of extra time (in knockout competitions)
- 5–15 minutes for a penalty shootout, if needed
This means a high-stakes match could easily last close to 2.5 hours from kickoff to the final whistle. Understanding the timing of soccer helps fans appreciate the flow of the game and prepares players for what to expect on the pitch. Whether you’re watching a World Cup final or your child’s local league game, knowing how long each phase lasts gives you deeper insight into the beautiful game.
