Whether you are a player or a spectator, understanding the duration of a soccer game is essential for planning and enjoying the sport.
However, the length of a soccer game can vary depending on the level of play, from professional matches to youth games.
How Long Is a Soccer Game?
- Pro: 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves)
- College: 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves)
- High School (HS): 80 minutes (two 40-minute halves)
- Youth: Varies, generally 60 minutes (two 30-minute halves or four 15-minute quarters)
Below we look at the duration of soccer games at different levels and provide valuable insights into the factors that influence game length.
Pro Soccer Games
Professional soccer games, such as those played in major leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, or the UEFA Champions League, have a standard duration of 90 minutes.
This 90-minute period is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.
However, it is important to note that the actual playing time may be longer due to stoppages and additional time added by the referee.
During a professional soccer game, the referee has the authority to add extra time at the end of each half, known as injury or stoppage time.
This additional time compensates for any delays that occurred during the game, such as injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting tactics.
The amount of added time can vary and is typically announced by the fourth official near the end of each half.
In addition to the two halves and stoppage time, professional soccer games also have a halftime break.
The halftime break usually lasts for 15 minutes, allowing players to rest, receive instructions from their coaches, and make any necessary adjustments to their strategies.
College Soccer Games
College soccer games in the United States follow a similar structure to professional games.
The duration of a college soccer game is also 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.
However, there are some differences in the rules and regulations that may affect the overall length of the game.
One notable difference is the inclusion of overtime periods in college soccer games.
If the game ends in a tie after the regulation 90 minutes, additional periods called overtime or extra time are played.
In college soccer, overtime periods are typically 10 minutes long.
If the game remains tied after the first overtime period, a second overtime period of 10 minutes is played.
If the game is still tied after the second overtime period, it may end as a tie or proceed to a penalty shootout, depending on the competition rules.
Similar to professional games, college soccer games also have a halftime break of 15 minutes.
High School Soccer Games
High school soccer games generally follow the same structure as professional and college games, with a few variations.
The duration of a high school soccer game is typically 80 minutes, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each.
This shorter duration is often due to time constraints and scheduling considerations.
Like college soccer, high school soccer games may also include overtime periods if the game ends in a tie after regulation time.
The length of the overtime periods can vary depending on the competition rules and may be shorter than those in college soccer.
High school soccer games also have a halftime break, usually lasting around 10-15 minutes.
Youth Soccer Games
When it comes to youth soccer games, the duration varies significantly depending on the age group.
Younger age groups typically have shorter game durations to accommodate their physical abilities and attention spans.
Here are some common durations for youth soccer games:
- Under 6 (U6) and Under 8 (U8): 2 halves of 20 minutes each
- Under 10 (U10) and Under 12 (U12): 2 halves of 25 minutes each
- Under 14 (U14) and above: 2 halves of 35-40 minutes each
It’s important to note that these durations can vary depending on the specific league or tournament rules.
Additionally, youth soccer games may not include overtime periods, and ties are often accepted as the final result.
Q&A – How Long Is a Soccer Game? (Pro, College, HS, Youth)
1. How long is a professional soccer game?
A professional soccer game typically lasts for 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.
However, the actual playing time may be longer due to stoppages and additional time added by the referee.
2. Are there halftime breaks in professional soccer games?
Yes, professional soccer games have a halftime break that usually lasts for 15 minutes.
3. Do college soccer games have overtime periods?
Yes, if a college soccer game ends in a tie after the regulation 90 minutes, additional periods called overtime or extra time are played.
Each overtime period is typically 10 minutes long.
4. How long is a high school soccer game?
A high school soccer game typically lasts for 80 minutes, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each.
5. Do high school soccer games have halftime breaks?
Yes, high school soccer games have a halftime break that usually lasts around 10-15 minutes.
6. How long do youth soccer games last?
The duration of youth soccer games varies depending on the age group.
For example, U6 and U8 games typically have 2 halves of 20 minutes each, while U14 and above games may have 2 halves of 35-40 minutes each.
7. Are there overtime periods in youth soccer games?
Overtime periods are less common in youth soccer games, and the rules may vary depending on the league or tournament.
In some cases, ties are accepted as the final result.
8. Can the duration of a soccer game be influenced by external factors?
Yes, external factors such as injuries, substitutions, time-wasting tactics, or weather conditions can affect the duration of a soccer game.
The referee has the authority to add extra time at the end of each half to compensate for any delays.
9. Why do professional soccer games have longer halftime breaks compared to high school or youth games?
The longer halftime breaks in professional soccer games allow players to rest, receive instructions from their coaches, and make any necessary adjustments to their strategies.
Additionally, professional games often have more commercial considerations, such as TV broadcasts, which may require longer breaks for advertisements.
10. Can a soccer game end in a tie?
Yes, soccer games can end in a tie if neither team scores more goals than the other during the regulation time and any overtime periods.
However, some competitions may have specific rules for determining a winner in case of a tie, such as penalty shootouts.
11. How is the added time at the end of each half determined?
The added time, also known as injury or stoppage time, is determined by the referee based on the delays that occurred during the game.
The referee considers factors such as injuries, substitutions, time-wasting tactics, and other stoppages to decide the amount of added time.
12. Can a soccer game be shortened due to external factors?
In exceptional circumstances, such as severe weather conditions or safety concerns, a soccer game can be shortened or even abandoned.
The decision to shorten or abandon a game is typically made by the referee or the competition organizers.
13. Are there any differences in the duration of soccer games between different countries?
The standard duration of soccer games is generally consistent across countries.
However, there may be slight variations in the rules and regulations, especially at the youth or amateur levels.
14. Can the duration of a soccer game be extended due to penalty shootouts?
Penalty shootouts, which are used to determine a winner in case of a tie, are not considered part of the actual game duration.
They are separate events that take place after the regulation time and any overtime periods.
15. How long is the break between overtime periods in college soccer games?
The break between overtime periods in college soccer games is typically brief, lasting only a few minutes to allow players to rest and receive instructions from their coaches.
Summary
The duration of a soccer game can vary depending on the level of play.
Professional soccer games typically last for 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with additional time added by the referee.
College and high school soccer games follow a similar structure, but with some variations in overtime periods and overall duration.
Youth soccer games have shorter durations to accommodate the age group, with varying lengths depending on the specific age group.
Understanding the duration of soccer games at different levels is crucial for players, coaches, and fans to plan and enjoy the sport effectively.
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