A panoramic view of a packed soccer stadium under the lights during a match. In soccer, many fans ask “how long is a soccer game” from kickoff to the final whistle. By law, a standard soccer match consists of two 45‑minute halves (90 minutes total). This 90-minute standard has been in place for over 150 years – one of the first matches (London vs. Sheffield, 1866) agreed to play 90 minutes, and it was codified into the official Laws of the Game by 1897.
After 45 minutes of play, teams take a 15-minute halftime break before playing the second half. The game clock runs continuously through play, so referees add stoppage (injury) time at the end of each half to compensate for delays.
In practice, this means most matches last about 95–100 minutes of play time. In the sections below, we examine match lengths across various levels and competitions – from professional and MLS soccer to college, high school, Olympic, women’s, and youth games – to fully answer “how long is a soccer game” at each level.
How Long Is a Soccer Game? Official Match Durations Explained
Professional Soccer Matches
A stadium scoreboard showing 15:00 on the clock, indicating halftime in a professional soccer match. At the professional/international level (FIFA-sanctioned games), matches follow the IFAB Laws of the Game: two 45-minute halves. For example, the scoreboard above shows 15:00 remaining at halftime, reflecting the mandated 15-minute break. After halftime, play resumes for the second 45-minute half. Because the clock never stops for injuries or substitutions, the referee adds stoppage time to the end of each half for any delays.
Typically, a few minutes of added time are signaled (often 1–5 minutes each half) – so a full professional game usually lasts about 95–100 minutes on the clock. In knockout competitions, if the score is tied after 90 minutes plus stoppage, matches go to extra time: two 15-minute periods (30 minutes total). If still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner. In contrast, regular league matches end after the initial 90 minutes plus stoppage time (no extra time).
Major League Soccer (MLS) Games
Major League Soccer (the U.S./Canada pro league) uses the same basic timing rules. An MLS match is divided into two 45-minute halves. Halftime is 15 minutes, and stoppage time is added as usual (in fact, MLS was the first major league to adopt VAR, which can lengthen stoppage time).
In practice, MLS games broadcast about 2 to 2½ hours including halftime and stoppages. (Extra time and penalties only occur in playoffs like the MLS Cup, where tied games use 2×15 minutes of extra time.) In short, an MLS game is about 90 minutes of play plus any added time.
College Soccer Games
College (NCAA) soccer follows essentially the same timing as the pros. A typical NCAA match is 90 minutes total – two 45-minute halves – with a 15-minute halftime. In fact, NCAA rules mirror FIFA’s; the governing body notes “college games are also 90 minutes long, with the same 45-minute first half and 45-minute second half”. (One difference is college overtime: if a college game ends in a draw, they may play 10- or 20-minute extra periods and then go to penalties – but this only happens after the 90 minutes.)
For everyday play, though, a college soccer game runs the full 90 minutes of regulation time.
High School Soccer Games
High school soccer games are usually shorter. In the U.S., most high school matches are 80 minutes long – two 40-minute halves. Halftime is typically 10 minutes. (Championship or postseason games at the high school level often play a full 90 minutes, but regular-season games are generally 2×40.) For example, Sports Illustrated notes that “regular high school games are 80 minutes… split into two 40-minute halves”. So a standard high school game lasts about 80 minutes, plus any added stoppage time (usually a minute or two) beyond that.
Youth Soccer Games
Youth soccer varies by age. Younger kids play much shorter games. For instance, US Youth Soccer rules specify: U17–U19 teams play 2×45 minutes (full length); U15–U16 play 2×40; U13–U14 play 2×35; U11–U12 play 2×30; and U9–U10 play 2×25 minutes. Even younger divisions often use quarters (e.g. U8 play four 12-minute quarters).
In short, a youth soccer game can last anywhere from about 50 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the age group. Coaches and parents should check the specific league rules, but in general U12 and below have much shorter halves, whereas U17 and up essentially play full-length matches.
Olympic Soccer Games
In the Olympic soccer tournaments (men’s and women’s), match timing is the same as professional play. Both men’s and women’s Olympic games are 2×45 minutes with a 15-minute halftime. As NBC Olympics explains, the Olympic tournaments (despite the age restrictions in the men’s competition) use the same rules for match length: “both tournaments have a standard match consisting of two halves of 45 minutes each… with a 15-minute ‘half-time’ break”.
In group play Olympic games can end in a draw; in knockout rounds, if tied after 90 minutes, matches go to extra time (2×15) and then penalties. In summary, an Olympic soccer game lasts 90 minutes plus stoppage (plus extra time if needed).
Women’s Soccer Games
Women’s soccer matches use the same timing as men’s. By rule, a full women’s match (whether club, World Cup, or Olympics) is two 45-minute halves. The Olympic rules explicitly state that men’s and women’s soccer follow identical laws. Thus a women’s soccer game is also 90 minutes of play plus stoppage time.
The only differences in women’s soccer timing are found in specific competitions (e.g. some college rules), but at the professional and international level the match length is exactly the same as men’s.
Key Timing Rules: Halftime, Stoppage, Extra Time
Soccer’s Laws make several timing rules clear. Law 7 (The Duration of the Match) states a game is two 45-minute halves and allows a halftime interval up to 15 minutes. The referee keeps a running clock, adding time lost to injuries, substitutions, time-wasting, etc., as stoppage time. The fourth official usually displays the added minutes at each half’s end. By rule, a penalty kick that needs to be taken at the end of a half extends the half until it is taken.
In knockout formats, if teams are tied after 90 minutes (plus stoppage), two 15-minute extra halves are played; note that these are not “sudden death” under current rules – the full 30 minutes are played unless a goal is scored in golden-goal formats. If the score is still tied after extra time, a penalty shootout decides the match.
Quick Reference – Match Length by Level:
- Professional/International (FIFA): 90 minutes (2×45).
- Major League Soccer (MLS): 90 minutes (2×45). Matches run ~2+ hours total including stoppage.
- College (NCAA): 90 minutes (2×45). Overtime (two 10’ halves) and shootouts used in tied games.
- High School (US): ~80 minutes (2×40), with a 10-minute halftime.
- Youth (U.S., older groups): Often 90 minutes for ages 17–19; 70–80 minutes for mid-teens; 50–60 minutes for U9–12.
- Olympics (Men/Women): 90 minutes (2×45) (extra time in knockouts).
- Women’s Pro/Intl.: 90 minutes (2×45), same as men’s.
In summary, how long is a soccer game? By official law, any standard adult match is 90 minutes (plus stoppage). Shorter durations apply at lower levels (e.g. high school or youth), and extra time comes into play only in knockouts. It’s worth noting that for live broadcasts, soccer matches typically fill about 2 hours or more on TV, since halftime and added time extend the viewing period.
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with fellow soccer fans and feel free to comment below with any questions or your own experiences. Enjoy the game!
FAQs:
- How long is a soccer game? A standard soccer match is 90 minutes of play (two 45-minute halves). In practice, referees add a few minutes of stoppage time to each half, so most games last about 95–100 minutes on the clock. Including halftime (15 min) and possible delays, a match fits into roughly a 2-hour window.
- How long is a professional soccer game? Professional (pro) games follow the 90-minute format. So a pro match is 90 minutes plus stoppage time. In total elapsed time, expect about 100 minutes of play. (TV broadcasts of pro games usually run ~2.5 hours including halftime.)
- How long is a high school soccer game? In the U.S., high school games are typically 80 minutes – two 40-minute halves. Halftime is generally 10 minutes. (Some championship games may use 90 minutes, but regular matches are 2×40 minutes.)
- How long is a college soccer game? College (NCAA) soccer matches run 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves), just like professional games. After regulation, college rules allow overtime (usually 2×10 minutes) if needed, but the main match length is 90 minutes.
- How long is a youth soccer game? Youth match duration varies by age. For example, U9–U10 often play 50 minutes (2×25), U11–U12 play 60 minutes (2×30), U13–U14 play 70 minutes (2×35), etc.. Very young kids (U6–U8) may play multiple short quarters. Always check the specific youth league rules.
- How long is a soccer game in the Olympics? Olympic soccer (men’s and women’s) uses 90 minutes (2×45). In group play ties stand; in knockout rounds, tied games go to extra time (2×15) and then penalties if still tied.
- How long is a women’s soccer game? A women’s match is the same length as a men’s match: 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves). All top-level women’s soccer (World Cup, leagues, Olympics, etc.) follows this format with a 15-minute halftime.
Each answer above is based on official rules and examples. For complete details, consult the IFAB Laws of the Game (Law 7) or the relevant governing body rules.
Sources: Official soccer rules and analysis from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and trusted sports sources.
