How Long Are Soccer Games? A Complete Guide for All Levels
Soccer is one of the few sports where the clock keeps running even when the ball doesn’t. That’s part of what makes it so unpredictable — and why fans keep asking: how long is a soccer game, really?
The short answer: it depends on the level. A professional match runs 90 minutes of regulation. A World Cup knockout game can push past three hours. And a U6 game wraps up in under 25 minutes. Let’s break it all down.
How Long Are Adult and Professional Soccer Games?
At the adult and professional level, every minute matters. These games are built for maximum performance and structured to match.
World Cup Game Length
The World Cup uses different formats depending on the stage. In group play, games run the standard 90 minutes — two 45-minute halves, a 15-minute halftime, and stoppage time added at the referee’s discretion. Ties are allowed, and teams earn points based on results.
Once the knockout rounds begin, ties aren’t an option. If teams are level after 90 minutes and stoppage time, they play two additional 15-minute halves of extra time. If it’s still tied after that, a penalty shootout decides the winner — five rounds, then sudden death if needed.
Add it all up — regulation, stoppage, extra time, the break before penalties, and the shootout itself — and the longest World Cup games can run three hours or more.
Professional Soccer Game Length
Professional soccer — both men’s and women’s — is governed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which writes the global Laws of the Game. Under IFAB rules, all professional matches run 90 minutes: two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime.
Referees add stoppage time at the end of each half to account for delays during play.
College Soccer Game Length
NCAA college soccer also runs 90 minutes with two 45-minute halves. The main differences show up in overtime. In the regular season and postseason, tied games go to two 10-minute overtime periods. If still tied, a penalty shootout follows.
Women’s college soccer uses a single 20-minute overtime period before a shootout.
How Long Are Youth Soccer Games?
Youth soccer is built differently — less about pushing limits, more about building love for the game. Game lengths scale with age so that every player gets the right amount of time on the ball.
Elementary School (Under 6 – Under 10)
At the youngest levels, shorter games mean more energy, more fun, and more touches per player.
- Under 6: Two 10-minute halves or four 6-minute quarters
- Under 8: Four 12-minute quarters or two 15-minute halves
- Under 10: Two 25-minute halves
Middle School (Under 11 – Under 13)
As players get stronger and faster, game times grow to match. Most middle school leagues play two 30-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime — about 60 minutes total. Some leagues go up to two 35-minute halves depending on the format.
High School (Under 14 – Under 18)
High school soccer is where many players fall in love with the game — and where the best ones start taking it seriously.
Freshman and JV teams typically play 80-minute games with two 40-minute halves. Varsity and club teams at the U17 and U18 level step up to the full FIFA standard: 90 minutes, a 15-minute halftime, and stoppage time. Tournament and district rules can vary.
FAQ: Common Questions About Soccer Game Length
What is stoppage time in soccer?
Soccer uses a running clock, which means time is always ticking — even when the ball isn’t in play. Events like substitutions, injuries, goal celebrations, VAR reviews, and set pieces all create “dead time.” Referees track this and add it back at the end of each half as stoppage time.
What causes games to last longer than 90 minutes?
Stoppage time alone can add 5–10 minutes per half. In leagues with extra time rules, tied games can run an additional 30 minutes. Add a penalty shootout and you’re well past two hours.
How long is halftime in soccer?
Professional and adult leagues take a standard 15-minute halftime break. Youth leagues typically keep halftime to 5–10 minutes.
Play More. Get Better. Have Fun.
Now that you know how soccer games work at every level, the next step is getting on the field.
Whether you’re a parent signing up your kid for their first class, a player looking to sharpen your skills before the season, or an adult ready to stop sitting on the sidelines — TOCA has a program for you. With locations across the US and Canada, there’s never been a better time to get in the game.
2026 is the biggest year in soccer. This is the best place to play.
About TOCA Soccer: TOCA serves local communities throughout the United States and Canada, welcoming players and families to find their best through classes, training sessions, camps, leagues, and more. Soccer classes for ages 1–13 are engaging and educational, while individual or group training sessions for ages 7+ offer progressive levels of development for players looking to challenge themselves and have fun.
