When it comes to soccer, the length of the game can vary significantly depending on the level of play. For instance, in professional 11 v 11 soccer, the standard game duration is 90 minutes, split into two halves of 45 minutes each.
However, this duration can change when considering knockout games such as the World Cup or youth soccer, particularly in the USA, where overtime may be necessary.
Read on for a clear guide to the all the possible variations in soccer game lengths.
90 Minutes Pro Soccer Game Length
FIFA set all laws of soccer globally using the Laws of the Game document. 90 minutes is the standard game length for adults playing 11 v 11 both in a recreation setting and professionally.
The 90 minutes is divided into two 45 minute halves separated by a 15 minute break at half time.
At the end of each half the referee can add additional time lost for things such as substitutions and injuries which have taken place. Typically additional time will be between 2 and 5 minutes at the end of each half but there is no upper limit on stoppage time.
Extra Time
Most professional league games will finish at 90 minutes regardless of the score however, cup or knockout tournament games such as the World Cup which finish in a tie may then play for a further 30 minutes extra time (over time). This period is divided into two 15 minute halves with a few minutes in between to change ends.
If games are still tied after extra time, a knock out game is usually decided by penalty shoot out. Penalty shoot outs usually last between 10 and 20 minutes but there is no limit and should both teams score an equal amount after the first five penalties, the shoot out will continue in sudden death.
A game going all the way to penalties could last as long as three hours!
Regulation Time for Youth Soccer in the USA
In the realm of youth soccer, the game length is not one-size-fits-all. Instead, it is tailored to suit the age and developmental stage of the players. This approach helps ensure that young athletes are engaged and able to perform at their best.
There are two organizations in the USA responsible for setting the laws of the game for their respective member teams:
- US Youth Soccer
- American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
The tables below have drawn information from the latest available guidance from each organization.
| Age Group | US Youth Soccer | AYSO |
| Under 6 | 4 quarters x 6 minutes | 4 quarters x 10 minutes |
| Under 7 | – | 4 quarters x 10 minutes |
| Under 8 | 4 quarters x 6 minutes | 4 quarters x 10 minutes |
| Under 9 | – | 2 halves x 25 minutes |
| Under 10 | 2 halves x 25 minutes | 2 halves x 25 minutes |
| Under 11 | 2 halves x 30 minutes | 2 halves x 30 minutes |
| Under 12 | 2 halves x 30 minutes | 2 halves x 30 minutes |
There are some variations in game length in the younger age groups but from Under 10s upwards there are no differences.
Where a box is empty it means there is no specific category for that age. For example, players under US Youth Soccer rules move from Under 6 straight into Under 8.
| Age Group | US Youth Soccer | AYSO |
| Under 13 | 2 halves x 35 minutes | – |
| Under 14 | 2 halves x 35 minutes | 2 halves x 35 minutes |
| Under 15 | 2 halves x 40 minutes | – |
| Under 16 | 2 halves x 40 minutes | 2 halves x 40 minutes |
| Under 15 | 2 halves x 45 minutes | – |
| Under 18 | 2 halves x 45 minutes | 2 halves x 45 minutes |
| Under 19 | 2 halves x 45 minutes | – |
It should also be pointed out that individual states, associations and tournaments may adapt their rules to suit their needs. Therefore, the standard game length times listed above could be subject to change at a local level.
Under 8 year olds
For the youngest players, those in the U8 (under 8 year old) age groups and younger, the game length is significantly shorter. Games for these age groups typically consist of four quarters, each lasting 6-10 minutes.
This shorter duration helps keep the players focused and minimizes fatigue, ensuring they enjoy the game and develop fundamental skills at a young age.
Under 9s to Under 12s
As players grow and move into the U9 (under 9) age group, the game format changes slightly. Instead of playing quarters these age groups and beyond play two halves of equal lengths.
Starting at 25 minutes per half for under 9s, game lengths gradually increase by 5 minutes per half as children grow.
This increase in game length aligns with their growing stamina and understanding of the game, especially during added time.
Under 13s to Under 19s
AYSO and United States Youth Soccer mirror each other for game lengths in these age groups. All age groups play two halves with the duration increasing in 5 minute intervals every couple of step, ensuring that each soccer match is competitive.
By the time players reach U15 (Under 15) they are expected to play a full 90 minutes just as adults and professionals do.
Reasons for Shorter Game Lengths
Understanding the variations in game length for youth soccer is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows coaches and trainers to develop age-appropriate training programs that optimize player development.
Shorter games for younger players help maintain their interest and prevent burnout, which is essential for long-term engagement in the sport.
Moreover, these variations help align the physical demands of the game with the players’ developmental stages. Younger players often lack the stamina to play longer matches, and shorter game durations ensure they can participate fully without excessive fatigue.
As players grow older and their physical capabilities increase, longer game durations help them build the endurance needed for higher levels of competition.
Penalty Shoot Outs
A penalty shootout is a method used to determine the winner of a tied match in knockout competitions after extra time has been played. Each team selects five players to take penalty kicks alternately. The team scoring the most goals from their five kicks wins. If still tied after five kicks each, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format where teams take one kick each until one team scores and the other misses. This dramatic conclusion has decided many important matches, including World Cup finals, creating some of soccer’s most tense moments.
How much time is actually spent playing during a 90-minute soccer game?
Despite the official 90 minutes of regulation time, studies show that the actual playing time in professional soccer matches typically ranges between 50-60 minutes.
The game clock in soccer runs continuously, unlike sports that stop timing during breaks in play. Factors reducing active playing time include set pieces (throw-ins, corner kicks, free kicks), goal celebrations, substitutions, and injury treatments.
This is why referees add stoppage time at the end of each half to partially compensate for these interruptions in the flow of the game.
The longest games in soccer history
Some of the longest games in soccer history have occurred during major tournaments that went to extra time and penalty shootouts.
Notably, the 2022 World Cup featured several matches with extensive stoppage time, with some games exceeding 100 minutes of total playing time before even considering extra time.
The longest penalty shootout in a major international competition was between Ivory Coast and Ghana in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, which required 22 penalties to determine a winner. These extended contests demonstrate why soccer is known for its unpredictability and drama.
Conclusion
Understanding how long a soccer game is, particularly in the context of youth soccer in the USA, involves recognizing the variations in game length across different age groups.
By tailoring game lengths to suit different age groups, soccer organizations ensure that players can enjoy the game, develop their skills, and build the stamina required for higher levels of play.
Sources:
American Youth Soccer Organization
FAQs
How long is a High School soccer game?
Typically High School soccer games are played for eighty minutes. This is divided into two halves of 40 minutes with a 10 minute break between halves.
How long is a College soccer game?
College soccer games are typically played for ninety minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves. This is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.
A 15 minute break is taken at Half Time. Additional time can also be added by the referee which can be anywhere between 2 and 5 minutes per half, though there is no upper limit.
How long is a professional soccer game?
Professional 11 v 11 soccer games are scheduled for two halves of 45 minutes making a total of ninety minutes plus a 15 minute break at half time. Most regular league games can end in a tie therefore removing the need for extra time (over time).
However, knockout competitions such as the World Cup need to produce a winner, so 30 minutes of extra time can be played, followed by a penalty shootout if the scores are still level.
What does Full Time in Soccer mean?
Full Time in Soccer means the end of the game. For most games this will be after 90 minutes plus any additional time that the referee wishes to play due to time lost for injuries or substitutions.
What is stoppage time in soccer games?
Stoppage time is additional minutes added at the end of each half to make up for time lost during the game. The referee determines how much stoppage time to add based on delays such as injuries, substitutions, time-wasting tactics, VAR reviews, and goal celebrations.
The fourth official typically displays this added time on an electronic board near the end of each 45-minute period. During the 2022 World Cup, we saw particularly long stoppage times, sometimes exceeding 10 minutes.
How long is halftime in a soccer match?
The standard halftime break in professional soccer matches is 15 minutes long. This 15-minute halftime gives players time to rest, hydrate, and receive tactical instructions from their coaches.
The break also allows grounds staff to perform any necessary maintenance on the pitch. In youth soccer leagues, halftime may be shorter, typically ranging from 5-10 minutes depending on the age group.
What happens if a soccer game is tied after 90 minutes of regulation time?
A: What happens after a tie depends on the competition format. In regular league matches, the game simply ends as a draw.
However, in knockout tournaments where a winner must be determined, the match proceeds to extra time and potentially penalty shootouts.
Extra time consists of two 15-minute halves with a brief break in between. If the score remains tied after extra time, the match is decided by a penalty shootout where five players from each team take alternating penalty kicks.
