A normal football game lasts 90 minutes, with two 45-minute halves and a 15-minute break in the middle. But the length of a football game can change for a number of reasons., such as:
- The time the referee stops the game for injuries or substitutions.
- The strategies players use to waste time.
- Any extra time that is added to the game to decide who won if it ends in a tie.
In professional football games, if the score is tied, extra time may be added. In knockout tournaments like the World Cup, if the score is still tied after extra time, penalty shootouts may be used to decide the winner. Read this whole thing to find out more about how long a football game lasts. If you are a person who bets on football matches, then knowing the duration of a football match is very important. You can bet on matches and earn by using the lay bet option on Orbit Exchange Betfair.
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How long is a football game?
One of the most frequently asked questions about football is how long is a football game. A standard football game lasts for 90 minutes. It is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each. These two halves are separated by a 15-minute halftime break. During this break, players have an opportunity to rest and regroup before the second half. The 90-minute duration is standard across all levels of the game, from amateur to professional leagues, and in both men’s and women’s football.
90 minutes of playing time
Keep in mind that 90 minutes of playing time does not always mean that a football game lasts that long. The referee can add stoppage time, which is also called “injury time,” to make up for any time lost during the game because of an accident, a substitution, wasting time, or something else. Each half ends with stoppage time, which is added by the judge based on how much time was lost during the game. There are usually between one and five minutes of extra time added to each half of a professional football game.
In addition to stoppage time, extra time may also be added to the game in certain situations. For example, in knockout competitions, such as the World Cup or UEFA Champions League, if a game ends in a draw after 90 minutes, then extra time may be added to determine a winner. The duration of extra time is typically 30 minutes, divided into two halves of 15 minutes each. If the game remains tied after extra time, then a penalty shootout may be used to determine the winner.
Now that we have a general understanding of the duration of a standard football game, let’s take a closer look at each component that makes up the game’s total duration.
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First Half
A football game’s first half is 45 minutes long and kickoff occurs in the middle of the field. Before the game begins, each team flips a coin to determine which team will start on which side of the field. The losing team then kicks off.
As teams compete for control on the field and early goals, the opening half of the game is frequently marked by strong intensity and brisk play. Coaches’ tactical choices, like using a more defensive or attacking formation, can also have an impact on the first half of the game.
As the first half comes to a close, the referee will signal to the players and the crowd how much stoppage time will be added to the end of the half. This stoppage time is added to account for any time lost during the half due to injuries, substitutions, or other reasons.
Halftime
After the first half of the game is over, there is a 15-minute halftime break. During this break, players can rest, receive medical attention if needed, and receive instructions from their coaches. The halftime break also provides an opportunity for fans to get refreshments or visit the restroom.
Halftime is an important part of the game, as it allows players to recharge their batteries and make any necessary adjustments to their tactics. Coaches may use the halftime break to make substitutions or change their team’s formation to better suit the game’s flow.
Second Half
The second half of a football game is similar to the first half and lasts for another 45 minutes. The team that did not kick off in the first half gets to kick off to start the second half, and the game continues with the same rules and regulations as the first half. However, there may be some differences in how the game plays out in the second half, as teams may change their tactics or make substitutions to try to gain an advantage over their opponents.
As the second half progresses, the referee may add stoppage time to the end of the half to account for any time lost during the game. This stoppage time can be influenced by a variety of factors, including injuries, substitutions, and time-wasting tactics by players. The amount of stoppage time added to the second half is typically similar to the amount added to the first half, but it can vary depending on the circumstances of the game.
End of Game
The standard duration of a football game is 90 minutes, but as we have seen, the actual duration of a game can be influenced by a variety of factors. Once the referee has signaled the end of the game, the final score is recorded, and the teams shake hands as a sign of good sportsmanship.
If the game ends in a draw, and extra time is required to determine a winner, then the teams will take a 15-minute break before the start of extra time. During this time, coaches may make further adjustments to their tactics or make substitutions to try to gain an advantage over their opponents.
If the game remains tied after extra time, then a penalty shootout may be used to determine the winner. During a penalty shootout, each team takes turns trying to score from the penalty spot, and the team that scores the most goals after a predetermined number of penalties is declared the winner.
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Stoppage Time in Football Matches
Stoppage time is a crucial aspect of football matches, and it can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game.
What is Stoppage Time?
An additional period of time called stoppage time is added to the end of a half of a football match to compensate for time lost during the game because of injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting tactics. A referee is responsible for keeping track of the time during a football match, and he has the authority to add stoppage time at the end of each half to ensure that every minute is used to its fullest. According to the circumstances of the game, the referee may add stoppage time to a match at his or her discretion.
Why is Stoppage Time Added to Football Matches?
The main reason why football games have extra time is to make sure that the whole game is played, even if something falls off during the game. As an example, if a player gets hurt and needs to be treated, the time it takes to do so will be added to the end of the half as extra time.
Also, if a team is wasting time during the game by taking too long to do something like take a throw-in or a goal kick, the judge may add extra time to make sure the whole game is played. The point of adding stoppage time is to make sure that every team gets a fair chance to play for the whole half and that no team gets an unfair edge from breaks in the game.
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How is Stoppage Time Calculated?
The amount of stoppage time added to a football game can change based on the game’s conditions, and the referee has the final say on how much time to add. However, there are several rules that referees can follow to choose how much stoppage time to add to a game.
In order to make up for time lost because of injuries, changes, or other problems, the referee is required by the Rules of the Game to add stoppage time to the end of each half. That being said, the judge can add more time if needed, but the extra time must be at least equal to the time that was lost.
The referee may also add time to the end of a half to account for other things that may have happened during the game, like methods that waste time or other problems. It is important to remember that the amount of extra time added to a game is not always the same and can change based on how the game goes. Usually, the official will either hold up a board with the amount of time written on it or say it over the PA system to let everyone know how much stoppage time is needed.
Impact of Stoppage Time on Football Matches
The amount of extra time extended to a football game can make a big difference in how it turns out. A team may have a higher chance of scoring an equalizer or possibly the game-winning goal if there are several minutes of stoppage time added to the conclusion of the game if they are losing by one goal.
Similarly, if one side is ahead and stoppage time has been added, that team may decide to use time-wasting strategies to ensure the win by keeping the opposing team from scoring. Hence, stoppage time can be extremely critical in determining the result of a game, so it’s necessary for players and coaches to understand its importance. Now you have complete knowledge of how long is a football game.
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Length of Different Football Games
| Football Type | Duration |
| American Football | About 3 hours |
| Soccer (FIFA) | 90 minutes (2 halves) |
| Rugby (Rugby Union) | 80 minutes (2 halves) |
| Canadian Football | About 3 hours |
FAQs
How long is a football game?
A standard football game lasts for 90 minutes and is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.
Is there a break between the two halves of a football game?
Yes, there is a 15-minute break between the two halves of a football game. This break is known as half-time.
What happens if a football match ends in a draw?
If a football match ends in a draw, then the game may go into extra time or a penalty shootout, depending on the competition rules.
How is stoppage time calculated in football matches?
Stoppage time is added to the end of each half of a football game to account for any time lost due to injuries, substitutions, or other interruptions. The amount of stoppage time added is at the discretion of the referee, but it’s usually a minimum of one minute.
Why is stoppage time added to football matches?
Stoppage time is added to ensure that the full amount of time is played, despite any interruptions that may occur during the game. The aim is to ensure that each team has a fair chance to play for the full duration of the half and to prevent any team from gaining an unfair advantage due to interruptions during the game.
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