How long are soccer game for professional, college, and youth Leagues
It’s not wrong to say that soccer game is the most popular game in the USA. But the most people confuse due to how long is soccer game. Whether at professional, college, or school level the soccer game format is the same. But halves are different due to time.
So in this article, we will clear your all queries. However, normally a soccer game duration which is played by professionals is around 90 minutes with two halves of 45 minutes.
It’s normal if they take 5-10 minutes extra. Here is a summary chart below which is classified by the United States youth Soccer Association of each group of player’s ages from professional to under 6 play leagues:
How long are soccer game according to all ages of players?
Players Leagues | Total time | Halves | Half-time | Extra time |
Professional Under 17,18,19 | 90 minutes | 45 minutes 2H | 5-10 minutes | 15 minutes |
Collage Under 15, 16 | 90 minutes | 45 minutes 2H | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
Youth Under 13, 14 | 70 minutes | 35 minutes 2H | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
Under 11, 12 | 60 minutes | 30 minutes 2H | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
Under 10 | 50 minutes | 25 minutes 2H | ||
Under 8 | 48 minutes | 12 minutes 4H | ||
Under 6 | 24 minutes | 6 minutes 4H |
Let’s take a brief look at how long are soccer game for each level. And when additional time takes in the game.
How long are soccer game in a professional league?
The professional league is at the highest rank of the game. They follow exact 7 rules of the game. Which all exist on the timing of the game.
The professional match is last for 90 minutes with two halves of 45 minutes. Here is a summary chart below to help you to better understand.
Professional league (U17- U19)
Full-time gameplay | 90 minutes |
Halves in the whole game | 2 halves around 45 minutes |
Half-time/break duration | 15 minutes |
Extra minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
Every round of the game is played without any breaks. Even if the ball goes out of the ground the referee does not stop the timer clock.
After one halve player takes 15 minutes to break for refreshment, discussion, coach bits of advice, and energy-boosting speech.
In the typical league a 15-minute break after halves is normally called as half time. So a typical soccer game is completed within 90 minutes.
When additional time is added to the game
Extra time is taken during the game due to many factors. At the end of halves, the referee may add additional time for players because maybe players get injured during the game.
Here are other reason behind the additional time which is listed below:
- Player replacement
- If a game is frequently stopped due to fouls, they measure disciplinary.
- When a team is leading they waste time.
- If a player is injured he needs to do a quick checkup. The coach decides if the player continues to play the game or remove from the match.
- Celebrations of great goals
- If the referee checks the VAR
- Refreshment break depends on the weather and players
It all depend on the empire or referee. They give the signals through whistles and sign boards.
How long are soccer game in a professional level
Drawbacks and extra time
Although, crowed is crazy to know the clear winning team at the end of matches. But particular partner hangs on the cup or tie in the end. When a soccer game is tied three situation becomes to finalize the winning team.
- At the end of the game, both teams are awarded 1 point and the match will dismiss.
- The game continually plays during the second break until from both of the teams one team wins.
- The last decision is that if both teams agree math will play again to decide who the winning team is.
In brief:
It means the game ended in a draw and the decision goes on the penalty shoot or a replay which is seen on another date to finalize the winning team. Besides, if the match hangs on a tie mode it also takes extra time.
When the match is tie players play the game after the second half break which is around about 15 minutes.
If the game is still tied after adding half-time then the match goes for a penalty shoot decision. The penalty shoots the winning team in advance. 5 penalty takes both teams. Most soccer games have penalties and some do not.
How long college and high school soccer are match last?
In high schools or colleges soccer game rules are followed by NFHS or National College Athletes Association. Besides as a professional league, they follow the rules of the game which is guided by FIFA or the US federation.
Collage league (U17-U19)
Full-time gameplay | 90 minutes |
Halves in the whole game | 2 each half around 45 minutes |
Half-time/break duration | 15 minutes |
Extra minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
However, NFHS and NCAA do not give any strict rules or guidelines. They allow young leagues player they choose their own game time. But typically the majority of players play 80 minutes time duration game with 2 halves of around 40 minutes.
High school league (U17-U19)
Full-time gameplay | 80 minutes |
Halves in the whole game | 2 each half around 40 minutes |
Half-time/break duration | 15 minutes |
Extra minutes | 10 minutes |
How long are soccer game in a collage level?
Additional time
When games stop on the stage of tie. As we discussed above as the soccer game format is the same. Same as it is its rule and regulations are applied in the same method. The following rules apply to the rules of 7 on the tie match.
- At the end of the game, both teams are awarded 1 point and the match will dismiss.
- The game continually plays during the second break until both of the teams one team wins.
- The last decision is that if both teams agree math will play again to decide who the winning team is.
How long does a youth soccer game last?
In the youth game league different ages relays. After high school players under 11 to 6 years old players come into this section. As you can see kid’s plays these games they have smaller play capacity and skills as compared to professional league players.
The biggest change become in the youth league at the age of 10 to 6. These players’ game format is changed from others. They have four halves in the 48 minutes games.
How long are soccer game in a youth level
Frequently ask questions:
Do soccer games go to 90 minutes?
The 90 minutes long soccer game rule is implemented when London and Sheffield team in 1866 is not satisfied with the result of the match. In the end, the clash is resolved with agree on a plan on playing 90 minutes. Since that day, this soccer game duration fix and apply all across the world.
How many hours does a soccer match last?
The soccer gameplay duration is different for all ages of the player league.
- For professionals league it is around 90 minutes long.
- Collage =90 minutes with 2 round
- Youth = 80 minutes with 2 round
- U13-U14 = 70 minutes with 2 halves
- U11-U12 = 60 minutes with 2 halves
- U10 = 50 with 2 rounds
- U8= 48 minutes with 4 round
- U6 = 24 minutes with 4 round
How many minutes is a soccer game played for?
Normally a soccer game duration which is played by professionals is around 90 minutes with two halves of 45 minutes. It’s normal if they take 5-10 minutes extra.
Final Thoughts
The above article covers the whole information about how long are soccer game.
While the game format and rules are different for all ages of player leagues. However, for all age soccer game guidelines is classified by the United States Federation.
So the clear information is that both teams have exact halves of time and break time. They play until the referee takes off the timer clock.