1. The Basics of Regular Match Time

Official Duration vs. Actual Duration

People often ask, “how long do football games last?” For regular matches, the official duration is 90 minutes. The game is divided into two halves, each 45 minutes long, with a halftime break of about 15 minutes.
However, the actual time you spend watching a game is usually longer, around 105 minutes. This is because factors such as injury stoppages, substitutions, and VAR reviews can extend the game time.

The Impact of Injury Stoppage and Added Time

The referee can add extra time at the end of each half. The amount of added time depends on factors like substitutions, injury treatments, and VAR decisions on the field.
The actual end time of a game is often later than 90 minutes. The time shown on the screen is usually greater than 90, which shows the influence of added time on the game duration.

2. Knockout Matches and Extra Time

The Structure and Breaks of Extra Time

If a knockout match is still tied after the regular time, it will go into extra time. The standard extra time consists of two 15 – minute periods, totaling 30 minutes. There is usually a short break of 1 – 5 minutes between the two extra – time periods, depending on the competition rules.
(Insert the once – used Golden Goal rule: Under the Golden Goal rule, in the extra time of a knockout match, if one team scores first, the game ends immediately and that team wins. This rule adds uncertainty to the game and also affects the game duration. Nowadays, many competitions no longer use this rule.)

Penalty Shootouts and the Total Duration

If no winner is determined after the extra time, the game will proceed to a penalty shootout. The penalty shootout is an independent deciding process and is not included in the extra – time duration.
The total duration of the game depends on factors such as the pace after the extra time and the number of penalty rounds. In common cases, it can exceed 140 minutes, but the official announcement of the competition is the final authority.

3. Duration Differences for Youth and Children

Age – Specific Duration Table

The duration of football games varies for different age groups. The details are as follows:

Age Group	Half – Time Duration	Extra Time (if applicable)	Halftime Break
U19/U18	45 minutes	15 minutes × 2	15 minutes
U17/U16	40 minutes	10 minutes × 2	15 minutes
U15/U14	35 minutes	5 minutes × 2	15 minutes
U13/U12	30 minutes	5 minutes × 2	10 minutes
U11/U10	25 minutes	5 minutes × 2	5 minutes

For youth and children’s football games, the half – time duration, extra – time settings, and halftime breaks vary by age group. This is the answer to the question of “how long do football games last” in the context of youth football.

4. Extreme Cases and Special Formats

Replays, Postponements, and Special Rules

In cases of extreme weather, unavailable fields, or major accidents, some competitions may have replays, postponements, or adopt special rules. These are exceptional extensions and not part of the standard rules. The official announcements and authoritative reports should be referred to.
This is also an extreme case that affects “how long do football games last.”

5. Global Longest/Shortest Official Match Cases

Typical Cases and Sources

The longest match lasted 168 hours (7 days!) and was held in Wintersbach, Saarland, Germany, in January 2021. This record has been included in the Guinness World Records.
The shortest match lasted about 65 seconds (actual playing time). In 2015, due to a referee’s misjudgment, the England vs. Norway U19 women’s match was officially decided to have a 18 – second rematch. The rematch only included penalty shootouts and kick – offs, as ruled by UEFA.
These cases show the different possibilities of “how long do football games last.”

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

​​Q1​​: What is the official duration of a regular match? In other words, what’s the answer to “how long do football games last” under normal circumstances?
​​A1​​: The official regulation is 90 minutes, with 45 minutes for each half and a halftime break of about 15 minutes. The actual time may change due to added time.
​​Q2​​: How long does extra time usually last?
​​A2​​: Usually, it consists of two 15 – minute periods, totaling 30 minutes. If there is no winner after extra time, the game will go to a penalty shootout.
​​Q3​​: Is the duration of youth matches different from that of adult matches?
​​A3​​: Yes. Different age groups have different half – time durations and extra – time settings, which are determined by their respective leagues.
​​Q4​​: What will the duration be in extreme cases?
​​A4​​: Extreme cases (replays, postponements, weather, etc.) can significantly increase the total duration of the game. The official announcement should be the final reference.