
How Long Does a Football Game Last
Introduction
How Long Does a Football Game Last? This query pops up frequently amongst both new fans and informal viewers. Whether it is the NFL, college, or international matches, knowledge of the duration of a soccer game can help you reach a higher level in the sport. From law time to industrial breaks, the full length frequently goes well past what’s published on the sport clock. In this newsletter, we’ll wreck down every component that contributes to the overall length of a soccer game, throughout diverse leagues and formats.
How Long is an NFL Football Game?
An NFL football game officially includes 60 mins of play time, divided into 4 15-minute quarters. However, the actual duration of an NFL recreation is around 3 hours and 12 mins on average.
Key Components:
- four Quarters: Each 15 minutes lengthy.
- Halftime: Lasts approximately 12 to 15 mins.
- Commercial Breaks: Account for over 60 mins of general airtime.
- Injury Timeouts, Reviews, and Timeouts: Add up to additional delays.
College Football Game Duration
College football video games also include 4 15-minute quarters, much like the NFL. However, college games are generally longer, averaging around 3 hours and 24 minutes.
Why College Games Are Longer:
- More Passing Plays (clock stops on incomplete passes).
- Longer Halftime (round 20 minutes).
- More Frequent Reviews and Scoring Plays.
Important: In college football, the clock stops temporarily on every first down, which considerably affects the game’s duration.
How Long Does a High School Football Game Last?
High school football games are shorter. They also encompass 4 quarters, however each is typically 12 mins long.
Time Breakdown:
- Quarters: 4 × 12 mins = 48 minutes general.
- Halftime: Typically 15-20 minutes.
- Overall Length: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on game drift and stoppages.
Youth and Peewee Football Games
For younger gamers, which includes those in young people leagues, the sport structure is in addition simplified:
- Quarters: Often 8 to 10 minutes lengthy.
- Halftime: About 10 minutes.
- Total Duration: Ranges from 1 to 1.5 hours.
This is good for shorter attention spans and lower patience tiers.
What About Overtime?
Overtime rules vary throughout leagues, but it drastically impacts recreation duration.
NFL Overtime Rules:
- Regular season: One 10-minute duration; if no rating, it leads to a tie.
- Playoffs: Multiple 15-minute periods till a winner is decided.
College Overtime:
- No sport clock; groups trade possessions from the 25-backyard line.
- Games can remain appreciably longer relying on the quantity of OT rounds.
High School:
- Similar to college; each crew begins from a designated spot (regularly the 10-yard line).
Note: The longest college soccer sport ever lasted 7 overtimes, taking over four hours to complete.
Factors That Affect the Total Game Time
1. Commercial Breaks
Television declares considerably expanded video games. The NFL, especially, averages about 20 business breaks in step with recreation.
2. Instant Replay Reviews
Both NFL and university soccer use video overview structures that may halt play for numerous minutes.
3. Injuries and Timeouts
- Team timeouts: three according to half according to crew.
- Injury timeouts: Vary in period but are often unavoidable.
4. Penalties
Frequent penalty flags sluggish the sport down with stoppages and referee discussions.
How Long Does a Soccer (International Football) Game Last?
Soccer games (referred to as “soccer” the world over) observe a different format completely.
Duration:
- Two halves of 45 minutes = 90 mins.
- Halftime: 15 minutes.
- Stoppage Time: Added via referees for injuries, substitutions, and so on.
- Overtime: In tournaments, may additionally include 2 x 15-minute more time intervals.
Total Duration: Usually 1.75 to 2 hours, lots shorter than American football.
Quick Comparison: American Football vs Soccer
Format | Regulation Time | Halftime | Average Real-Time Duration |
NFL | 60 minutes | 12-15 min | 3 hrs 12 min |
College Football | 60 minutes | 20 min | 3 hrs 24 min |
High School | 48 minutes | 15-20 min | 2-2.5 hrs |
Youth Football | 32-40 minutes | 10 min | 1-1.5 hrs |
Soccer (FIFA) | 90 minutes | 15 min | 1.75-2 hrs |
How long does a football game last including half time?

Understanding the overall time dedication for a football recreation, together with halftime, is important whether or not you’re attending a healthy or watching from home. Here’s a breakdown to assist clarify.
1. Total Duration of an NFL Game Including Halftime
An NFL sport features 60 mins of play time divided into 4 15-minute quarters, however the real time you spend watching is a good deal longer.
- Halftime lasts around 12 to fifteen minutes.
- With advertisements, timeouts, and stoppages, the common general period of an NFL sport such as halftime is approximately three hours and 12 minutes.
Important: Even though the play clock is 60 mins, count on to spend over three hours from kickoff to final whistle.
2. College Football: Longer Halftime, Longer Game
College soccer video games comply with the equal 60-minute sport format however regularly take longer due to:
- 20-minute halftime
- More stoppages (e.G., first-down clock stops)
- Extended critiques and play challenges
Total time together with halftime: around three hours and 24 minutes.
Tip: If you’re making plans for your day, block as a minimum three.5 hours for a full college football enjoy.
3. High School and Youth Football Game Times
- High faculty football video games consist of 48 mins of sport play (4 × 12-minute quarters).
- Halftime is usually 15 to 20 mins.
- The total recreation time together with halftime usually levels between 2 to 2.5 hours.
For kids football, games are even shorter:
- Game play: 32 to 40 minutes total
- Halftime: 10 minutes
- Total length: about 1 to 1.5 hours
How long does a football game last high school?

High faculty football games provide a fast-paced and network-centered enjoy. But in case you’re making plans to attend or watch, it’s critical to recognise exactly how lengthy an excessive college football sport lasts from beginning to finish.
1. Regulation Game Time in High School Football
A widespread excessive school soccer game includes 4 quarters, each 12 mins lengthy.
- Total play time: forty eight minutes.
- The clock stops for timeouts, incomplete passes, out of bounds plays, penalties, and greater just like in college or NFL video games.
⚠️ Important: The recreation clock does not run constantly, so actual time spent watching is much longer than 48 minutes.
2. Real-Time Duration Including Halftime and Stoppages
While the clock reads best 48 mins, the actual duration of a high college soccer recreation is typically between 2 and a pair of.5 hours.
Here’s why:
- Halftime: 15 to 20 mins
- Timeouts: 3 in line with team in keeping with 1/2
- Injuries, consequences, and referee discussions all enlarge playtime
🕒 On average, expect a excessive school football recreation to ultimate approximately 2 hours and 15 mins from kickoff to final whistle.
3. Additional Factors That Can Affect Game Length
Several different variables can impact how long a high faculty football sport lasts:
- Weather delays (e.G., lightning)
- Overtime intervals (if the rating is tied)
- Homecoming or senior night ceremonies
📌 Always take a look at the occasion time table and arrive early, as pre-game activities and ceremonies may also add time before kickoff.
Summary
Football games range in length depending on the level of play. While the clock suggests 60 minutes for NFL and college, real games remain over 3 hours because of commercials, timeouts, and opinions. High college and youth video games are shorter, whilst football video games normally wrap up in under 2 hours.
FAQs of How Long Does a Football Game Last
How long does a college football game last?
A college football game typically lasts about 3 hours and 24 minutes, including stoppages, reviews, and a 20-minute halftime.
How long does a game of football last?
A standard game of football lasts 60 minutes, but including halftime and stoppages, it typically runs about 3 hours total.
How long does a high school football game last?
A high school football game typically lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours, including stoppages, timeouts, and halftime.