How Long Is a Soccer Game?
A standard 11v11 soccer match under IFAB Law 7 lasts two equal halves of 45 minutes, for 90 minutes of regulation playing time.
That does not mean the event ends exactly 90 minutes after kick-off. There is a half-time interval and the referee adds time for delays and stoppages.
Quick answer
For a professional-style 11v11 match:
- First half: 45 minutes
- Half-time: no more than 15 minutes under IFAB Law 7
- Second half: 45 minutes
- Added time: added to each half as needed
- Extra time: only when competition rules require a winner and use extra time
- Penalty shoot-out: only when competition rules use it as a tie-breaker
For attending or watching, plan for roughly two hours and allow more if extra time or a shoot-out is possible.
Professional 11v11 game length
The Laws state that a match lasts two equal 45-minute halves unless the duration is reduced by agreement before the match and in accordance with competition rules.
The clock generally continues during normal stoppages. The referee compensates with additional time.
Half-time
Players are entitled to a half-time interval.
Under IFAB Law 7, the interval may not exceed 15 minutes, and competition rules specify its duration.
Television broadcasts often make half-time feel longer because of analysis and advertising, but the playing-law interval is controlled.
What is stoppage or added time?
Added time compensates for time lost during the half.
Reasons include substitutions, injury assessment and removal, time-wasting, disciplinary sanctions, medical stoppages, delays around restarts, goal celebrations, VAR checks/reviews where used and other significant delays.
The number shown by the fourth official is the minimum additional time. More can be added if further delays occur.
Why doesn't soccer stop the clock?
Football traditionally uses a running match clock. Rather than stopping it for every dead-ball period, the referee accounts for lost time.
Different competitions may have clock-management differences, especially outside the IFAB professional framework.
Extra time
A tied league match can simply finish as a draw.
Extra time is used only when the competition needs a winner and its rules prescribe extra time.
A common knockout format uses two additional periods. The competition regulations control the exact procedure.
Do not confuse extra time with added time:
- added/stoppage time is compensation at the end of a half;
- extra time is an additional phase used by some competitions after a tied regulation match.
Penalty shoot-outs
A penalty shoot-out is a tie-breaking procedure used when the competition requires a winner.
It is not automatically part of every tied soccer match.
The shoot-out occurs after the match structure required by that competition—sometimes after extra time, sometimes under another competition-specific format.
How long are youth soccer games?
Youth games are shorter and vary by age group and competition.
The correct answer comes from the league handbook.
For U11/U12 in U.S. youth soccer, the game model is commonly 9v9 and match lengths are set by the applicable member organization or competition.
See U11 Soccer Rules.
High-school soccer
U.S. high-school soccer is governed by NFHS rules in most state associations, with state implementation.
Do not present IFAB’s professional 45-minute halves as the only high-school answer. Link readers to the current NFHS/state rule set because game administration can differ from professional football.
College soccer
NCAA soccer uses its own playing rules.
For current U.S. college match procedures, check the current NCAA soccer rule book rather than assuming every FIFA/IFAB competition procedure carries over unchanged.
How long should I allow to watch a game on TV?
For a standard match that finishes in regulation, allow around two hours from kick-off through full-time.
Add more time if there are lengthy stoppages, the match can go to extra time, a shoot-out is possible or the broadcast includes extended pre/post-match coverage.
How long is the ball actually in play?
The ball is not active for all 90 regulation minutes. Throw-ins, free kicks, goal kicks, substitutions, injuries and celebrations create dead time.
The Laws manage this through added time rather than a stop clock for every interruption.
What happens if the referee adds five minutes?
“Five minutes added” means at least five minutes should be played beyond the normal end of the half.
If there is a major delay during that added period, the referee can extend the half further.
Can a referee end a game before 90 minutes?
A normal match follows the agreed duration. The Laws and competition rules also contain provisions for abandoned or shortened matches in exceptional circumstances.
A youth match may be designed from the start with shorter halves.
Frequently asked questions
Is soccer 90 minutes exactly?
Regulation playing time is two 45-minute halves, but added time means the final whistle usually occurs later than minute 90 on the displayed clock.
How long is half-time?
Under IFAB Law 7, no more than 15 minutes.
Is extra time always 30 minutes?
Many knockout competitions use two additional periods totaling 30 minutes, but the competition rules control the format.
Do all tied games go to penalties?
No. League games often end as draws.
How long are 11v11 soccer games?
Standard adult 11v11 under IFAB is two 45-minute halves unless reduced as permitted by competition rules/agreement.
How long should parents plan for youth soccer?
Use the league’s published match duration plus arrival/warm-up time. Youth game lengths are not universal.
Primary source for the standard Laws: IFAB Law 7 — The Duration of the Match. For U.S. high-school comparisons, see NFHS Soccer Rules.