How Long Is A Football Match Including Half Time

How Long is a Football Match, Including Half Time? A Comprehensive Guide

So, you're wondering how long a football match lasts, including half-time? It's a common question, and the answer isn't quite as straightforward as you might think. While the official duration is relatively simple, various factors can influence the total time spent on the pitch. This article will delve into the specifics, covering everything from regulation time to stoppage time and potential extra periods.

A standard football match, regardless of whether it's a friendly, league game, or cup tie (excluding some youth or amateur competitions), consists of two 45-minute halves. This gives a total of 90 minutes of scheduled playing time. However, the reality is often different.

Half-Time Break

The break between the two halves, known as half-time, typically lasts for 15 minutes. This gives players a chance to rest, rehydrate, and receive tactical instructions from their coaches. Referees usually ensure this break is strictly adhered to.

Stoppage Time (Added Time)

This is where things get a bit more complex. Stoppage time, also known as added time or injury time, is added onto the end of each half to compensate for any time lost during the game due to various factors such as:

• Injuries: When a player is injured and requires medical attention, the clock doesn't stop. The referee will add on time lost due to these delays.
• Substitutions: The process of substituting players takes time, and this time is added to the clock.
• Celebrations: While exhilarating, lengthy goal celebrations can eat into playing time, leading to added minutes.
• Time-wasting: Players often attempt to waste time, especially when they are winning or trying to protect a lead. Referees are tasked with accounting for this intentional time-wasting.
• VAR reviews (Video Assistant Referee): In many professional leagues, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews can significantly impact the game duration. These reviews can take several minutes and are factored into stoppage time.

The referee has the sole discretion to determine how much stoppage time to add at the end of each half. This can range from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the events of the game.

Total Match Duration

Therefore, the total time of a football match, including half-time, is typically around 105 minutes, but this can fluctuate quite significantly. It's not uncommon for matches to run slightly over or even under this time depending on the amount of stoppage time added.

Extra Time

In knockout competitions, such as the FA Cup or Champions League, if the score is tied at the end of the 90 minutes, extra time is played. This usually consists of two 15-minute periods, adding a further 30 minutes to the overall game duration. Stoppage time can also be added to these extra time periods.

Penalty Shootouts

If the score remains tied after extra time, a penalty shootout will often determine the winner. The duration of a penalty shootout is variable and depends on the number of penalties taken.

In Conclusion

While a football match officially lasts 90 minutes, the actual time spent playing, including half-time and stoppage time, typically ranges from 100 to 115 minutes, or even longer in games requiring extra time and penalties. The unpredictable nature of stoppage time makes it impossible to give an exact figure, highlighting the dynamic and exciting nature of the beautiful game.