Knowing the duration of soccer games is essential, whether you’re in a professional league, a college team, or a youth setup. This guide outlines how long you’ll be on the pitch, detailing game lengths from professional to grassroots levels and explaining extra time and penalties, to ensure you’re ready for your next match.
How long is a soccer game?
The standard duration is 90 minutes, but this can be adjusted, particularly for younger age groups. Soccer games vary in length depending on the age group and level of play.
| Age Group | Length |
|---|---|
| Professional | 90 minutes |
| College Games | 90 minutes |
| U21 – U17 | 90 minutes |
| U16 – U15 | 80 minutes |
| U14 – U12 | 70 minutes |
| U13 – U11 | 60 minutes |
| U10 – U6 | 50 minutes |
Professional Games: In professional soccer, including leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, or the Serie A, games last 90 minutes. They are divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime break.
College Games: College soccer games in the United States also typically last 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves.
U21 – U17: The duration of soccer games for players aged between 17 and 21 can vary depending on the specific league or tournament rules. Generally, these matches last 90 minutes, similar to professional adult games, but there are exceptions based on the competition’s structure, geographic location, and governing body regulations.
U16 – U15: For players under 16 and 15, the game duration is typically reduced to 80 minutes, split into two 40-minute halves.
U14 – U12: Children in the U14 to U12 age groups play 70-minute matches, which are divided into two 35-minute halves.
U13 – U10: For younger children, aged between 10 and 13, the game lasts 60 minutes, with two halves of 30 minutes each.
U10 – U6: The youngest age groups in soccer, from under 6 to under 10, often play games that are 50 minutes long, divided into two 25-minute halves.
How long is extra time?
In professional soccer, if a game ends in a draw and a winner needs to be decided (as in knockout stages of a tournament), an extra time of 30 minutes is played, divided into two 15-minute halves. If the score remains tied after extra time, the game goes to a penalty shootout.
How long are penalty shootouts?
During a penalty shootout, there is no specific time limit for the duration of the entire procedure. Instead, each player has a maximum of a few seconds to take their shot once they place the ball on the penalty spot. The process continues until each team has taken five penalties, and if the score is still tied, it proceeds to sudden death where each team takes one penalty each until a winner is determined.
By understanding the duration of soccer games at different levels and the rules for extra time and penalties, spectators and players can have a better grasp of the game’s flow and timing requirements.
