Sports and Media
How Long Does A Football Game Last?
Shikha Negi
Contributor
Ever wondered how long does a football game last? Learn the exact duration of football matches across different formats, leagues, and competitions in this detailed breakdown!
Football is one of the most popular sports globally, with over 4 billion fans and professional leagues in over 200 countries. The FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious football tournament, attracts over 1.5 billion viewers for its final match alone. Given the sport’s widespread appeal, many new fans and players often ask: how long does a football game last?
A professional football match typically lasts 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with an additional 15-minute half-time break. However, various factors such as stoppage time, extra time, and penalty shootouts can extend the total duration significantly.
This article will explore the typical length of a football match, including factors that can influence its duration, and provide a comprehensive overview of how the timing works in both professional and amateur settings.
The standard duration of a football match
A standard football match, governed by the Laws of the Game set by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), lasts 90 minutes. This is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, separated by a 15-minute half-time break.
This is the case for most professional and amateur games worldwide. The two halves are separated by a minute break known as halftime, during which players rest, rehydrate, and receive tactical instructions from their coaches.
However, the total duration of a football game often exceeds 90 minutes due to additional time allocated for stoppages, injuries, and other interruptions. This is referred to as "injury time" or "stoppage time," and it is added at the end of each half by the match referee. The amount of stoppage time can vary depending on the events that occur during the game, such as substitutions, injuries, or time-wasting tactics.
This structure applies to most professional and competitive matches worldwide, including Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A.
Breakdown of standard match time:
- First Half – 45 minutes
- Half-Time Interval – 15 minutes
- Second Half – 45 minutes
Additional time in a football match
Injury time: Extending the 90 minutes
Injury time is a crucial aspect of football that ensures fairness and compensates for any delays during the match. The fourth official, who assists the referee, typically displays the amount of added time on an electronic board at the end of each half. On average, injury time ranges from 1 to 5 minutes per half, though it can be longer in cases of significant delays, such as lengthy injury treatments or VAR (Video Assistant Referee) interventions.
For example, if a player is injured and requires medical attention on the pitch, the referee will stop the clock and add the lost time at the end of the half. Similarly, if a team is perceived to be deliberately wasting time, the referee may extend the injury time to compensate for the delay. This ensures that the full 90 minutes of active play are accounted for, maintaining the integrity of the game.
Extra time in knockout matches
In knockout competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA Champions League, matches that end in a draw after 90 minutes may proceed to extra time. Extra time consists of two additional 15-minute halves, bringing the total playing time to 120 minutes. There is usually a short break between the end of regular time and the start of extra time, as well as a brief interval between the two halves of extra time.
Penalty shootout duration
A penalty shootout is used to determine the winner if extra time does not produce a decisive result. Each team takes a minimum of five penalty kicks, and if the scores are still level, the shootout continues into sudden death until a winner is determined. The length of a penalty shootout varies, but it usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
How long does a football match last in different formats?
1. Domestic and international club matches
- Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League
- Duration: 90 minutes + stoppage time (typically 105 to 115 minutes in total)
- Extra Time: Only in knockout stages or finals (if required)
2. International competitions (FIFA World Cup, European Championship)
- Group Stage: 90 minutes + stoppage time
- Knockout Stages: May include extra time and penalty shootouts
3. FA cup and domestic knockout competitions
- Matches that end in a draw may go into a replay (in early rounds)
- Later rounds feature extra time and penalties if needed
4. Youth and amateur football
- Match durations may be shorter:
- Under-16 and Under-18 matches: 80 to 90 minutes
- Under-12 and Under-14 matches: 60 to 70 minutes
- Under-10 and Under-8 matches: 20 to 50 minutes
5. Five-a-side and futsal
- Five-a-side football games last 40 minutes (two halves of 20 minutes each)
- Futsal matches last 40 minutes (stopped clock for out-of-play moments)
Factors influencing the duration of a football match
Several factors can influence the total duration of a football match, including:
- Stoppages and Injuries: Injuries, substitutions, and other interruptions can lead to additional injury time.
- Time-Wasting: Teams leading in the latter stages of a match may employ time-wasting tactics, such as delaying throw-ins or goal kicks, to run down the clock. Referees often compensate for this by adding extra injury time.
- VAR Reviews: The use of VAR can extend the duration of a match, particularly if multiple decisions require review.
- Weather Conditions: Extreme weather, such as heavy rain or lightning, can cause delays or even suspensions in play.
Crowd Behaviour: In rare cases, crowd disturbances or pitch invasions can halt a match temporarily, leading to additional stoppage time.
Read More:
how is the economy affected by sports marketing ?
how smart stadiums are transforming sports and entertainment ?
