A football match lasts 90 minutes: two 45-minute halves, plus a 15-minute half-time break. With stoppage time, the real-world duration is typically 95–100 minutes.
The 90-minute rule dates to 1866, during a match between London and Sheffield. Both teams agreed to play for that duration to settle a dispute, and the standard stuck. It was formally enshrined in the Laws of the Game in 1897.
Since then, this duration has become a rule that is followed worldwide. However, there are certain exceptions to the rule. In this article, we explore the topic in more detail.
Does a Game Always Last 90 Minutes?
While a professional football match typically lasts 90 minutes, there are some exceptions. For instance, the time limit is decreased in youth games to compensate for the youngsters’ lack of fitness.
Both men’s and women’s games last 90 minutes with a 15-minute half-time period in the middle. Both games can acquire extra time depending on stoppages and injuries. According to the FA’s official rules:
“The duration of each match shall be 90 minutes, except in special cases, provided for in these Competition Rules, where an extra 30 minutes shall be played. The Referee shall allow for time lost in accordance with the Laws of the Game or through accident or other cause and his decision on this matter is not subject to appeal. The half-time interval shall be 15 minutes for all ties in all competitions. Both teams shall enter the field of play together, five minutes prior to the kick-off time, along with the Match Officials.”
When Does it Differ?
There are various circumstances that cause the game length to differ. Below, we explore these further.
Youth Games
Youth games are shorter to account for the physical demands on younger players. Match durations increase with age, stepping up toward the full 90 minutes as players reach the senior game.
Typical durations by age group, in line with FA guidelines:
- Under 6s: two 10-minute halves
- Under 8s: two 20-minute halves
- Under 10s: two 25-minute halves
- Under 12s: two 30-minute halves
- Under 14s: two 35-minute halves
- Under 16s: two 40-minute halves
- Under 18s and above: the standard two 45-minute halves
Full FA guidelines on youth football are published on the FA’s website.
Stoppage Time
Stoppage time is extra minutes added by the referee at the end of each half to compensate for time lost during play. It is sometimes called injury time, though that term understates how many things now contribute to it.
Delays that generate stoppage time include injuries, substitutions, VAR checks, goal celebrations, and deliberate time-wasting. Each may seem minor in isolation, but they accumulate quickly. At top-level football, five to ten minutes of stoppage time per half has become routine rather than exceptional.
The push for more stoppage time was made very visible at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where FIFA directed referees to account for all measurable delays. The England vs Iran group game saw 27 minutes and four seconds added to the 90, then a World Cup record. Across the group stage, games averaged just under 12 minutes of stoppage time per match across both halves.
The picture at Premier League level tells a slightly different story. Ball-in-play time has actually been falling for over a decade. The average in recent seasons sits at around 54-55 minutes per game, meaning more than a third of each 90-minute period involves no active play.
New rules from July 2026. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved further rule changes in February 2026, specifically targeting time-wasting. They come into full effect from 1 July 2026 and will apply at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Key changes include:
- Throw-ins and goal kicks: If the referee judges a throw-in or goal kick is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown begins. Fail to get the ball in play before the countdown ends and possession transfers to the opposition.
- Substitutions: A player being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds of the board going up. If they fail to do so, the incoming substitute is temporarily barred from entering the pitch.
- Injured players: Any player who receives on-field treatment must leave the pitch and stay off for at least one minute of playing time before returning.
The full detail is set out in IFAB’s official announcement.
Extra Time
If the score is equal after 90 minutes, in some competitions the game may go into extra time. Typically, this consists of two further 15-minute halves.
Goals scored during the added time are considered part of the final score. If the score is still equal after added time, the game moves onto a penalty shoot out. This is known officially in the Laws of the Game as “kicks from the penalty mark”.
The outcome of this shootout will determine the winner. Kicks from the penalty mark are not added to the final score of the game; instead, they are used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of the competition.
Two-Legged Ties
In two-legged ties, the team with the higher aggregate score over both legs advances. If the aggregate is level after both games, the tie goes to extra time, played at the end of the second leg.
The away goals rule, which previously awarded progression to the team that had scored more away from home, was abolished by UEFA in 2021 and has since been removed from the Champions League, Europa League, and most major competitions. UEFA confirmed the change following a recommendation from UEFA’s competition committee. If scores remain level after extra time, a penalty shootout decides the tie.
Penalties
If the score is equal after added time, the game will move onto a penalty shootout. Typically, players will take it in turns to take a shot on goal from a specific spot.
Each team takes it in turns to shoot with the only defender being the goalkeeper. The winner is determined by the largest number of successful goals after a specific number of attempts. If the score is still equal, the shootout will continue on a “goal-for-goal” basis.
In this circumstance, the teams will take shots alternatively and the one that scores a goal unmatched by their opponent is the winner. If every player has taken a shot, certain players may need to take extra shots until the tie is broken.
This process is known as “sudden death”. As soon as one team misses a shot while the other team scores, they’re out of the competition.
Fergie Time
Fergie time is a phrase used in English football. It refers to an excessive amount of time at the end of a match to allow a team more time to equalise or win the game.
The phrase is named after Sir Alex Ferguson, the previous manager of Manchester United, and the perception that during matches in which Man United were not winning, there would be excessive time added for United to score an equaliser or win the game.
Whether or not this really exists is another question, but opposing fans certainly believe it does!
How Long Is Half Time in Football?
Half time in football lasts 15 minutes. Players are entitled to the break under Law 7 of the Laws of the Game, which states the break must not exceed 15 minutes. The clock on the interval starts when the referee blows for the end of the first half.
The break serves a few purposes. Players rehydrate, receive treatment for knocks, and hear tactical adjustments from the coaching staff.
Half time in extra time
If a match goes to extra time, there is no full interval between the two 15-minute periods. Players switch ends and play resumes almost immediately, though Law 7 permits a short drinks break of no more than one minute at the halfway point of extra time.
Why is half time 15 minutes?
In football’s earliest days, when different schools played by different rules, half time gave teams the chance to switch rule sets midway through so neither side had an advantage. Changing ends at the interval survives from the same era, balancing out any advantage from wind or slope. The modern 15-minute standard was settled as the game professionalised, giving players enough time to recover without letting muscles cool down completely.
In Summary
A standard football match is 90 minutes made up of two 45-minute halves. In the middle of the game, there is a 15-minute break known as ‘half-time’. There are some exceptions to this duration including youth games and games with additional time and/or penalty shootouts.
For the most part, however, a standard football game will always be 90 minutes to adhere to the FA’s official rules.
For more information on the length of a football match, visit the Laws of the Game and FA Rules page on the FA’s official website.
FAQs
How long is a World Cup football match?
Group stage World Cup matches follow the standard 90-minute format plus stoppage time. Knockout matches can add 30 minutes of extra time if scores are level, followed by a penalty shootout if needed.
How much of a football match actually involves the ball being in play?
Less than most fans would expect. Premier League data shows the ball is in active play for an average of around 54-55 minutes per game, less than 60% of the 90-minute match.
Do women’s football matches last the same length as men’s?
Yes. Professional women’s football follows the same Laws of the Game: two 45-minute halves, a 15-minute half-time break, and the same rules around stoppage time, extra time, and penalties.
How long is half-time in football?
Half-time lasts 15 minutes at professional level, as set out in the Laws of the Game. The duration is fixed; referees cannot extend it without reason.
How Long is a Football Match?
A football match lasts 90 minutes: two 45-minute halves, plus a 15-minute half-time break. With stoppage time, the real-world duration is typically 95–100 minutes.
The 90-minute rule dates to 1866, during a match between London and Sheffield. Both teams agreed to play for that duration to settle a dispute, and the standard stuck. It was formally enshrined in the Laws of the Game in 1897.
Since then, this duration has become a rule that is followed worldwide. However, there are certain exceptions to the rule. In this article, we explore the topic in more detail.
Does a Game Always Last 90 Minutes?
While a professional football match typically lasts 90 minutes, there are some exceptions. For instance, the time limit is decreased in youth games to compensate for the youngsters’ lack of fitness.
Both men’s and women’s games last 90 minutes with a 15-minute half-time period in the middle. Both games can acquire extra time depending on stoppages and injuries. According to the FA’s official rules:
When Does it Differ?
There are various circumstances that cause the game length to differ. Below, we explore these further.
Youth Games
Youth games are shorter to account for the physical demands on younger players. Match durations increase with age, stepping up toward the full 90 minutes as players reach the senior game.
Typical durations by age group, in line with FA guidelines:
Full FA guidelines on youth football are published on the FA’s website.
Stoppage Time
Stoppage time is extra minutes added by the referee at the end of each half to compensate for time lost during play. It is sometimes called injury time, though that term understates how many things now contribute to it.
Delays that generate stoppage time include injuries, substitutions, VAR checks, goal celebrations, and deliberate time-wasting. Each may seem minor in isolation, but they accumulate quickly. At top-level football, five to ten minutes of stoppage time per half has become routine rather than exceptional.
The push for more stoppage time was made very visible at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where FIFA directed referees to account for all measurable delays. The England vs Iran group game saw 27 minutes and four seconds added to the 90, then a World Cup record. Across the group stage, games averaged just under 12 minutes of stoppage time per match across both halves.
The picture at Premier League level tells a slightly different story. Ball-in-play time has actually been falling for over a decade. The average in recent seasons sits at around 54-55 minutes per game, meaning more than a third of each 90-minute period involves no active play.
New rules from July 2026. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved further rule changes in February 2026, specifically targeting time-wasting. They come into full effect from 1 July 2026 and will apply at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Key changes include:
The full detail is set out in IFAB’s official announcement.
Extra Time
If the score is equal after 90 minutes, in some competitions the game may go into extra time. Typically, this consists of two further 15-minute halves.
Goals scored during the added time are considered part of the final score. If the score is still equal after added time, the game moves onto a penalty shoot out. This is known officially in the Laws of the Game as “kicks from the penalty mark”.
The outcome of this shootout will determine the winner. Kicks from the penalty mark are not added to the final score of the game; instead, they are used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of the competition.
Two-Legged Ties
In two-legged ties, the team with the higher aggregate score over both legs advances. If the aggregate is level after both games, the tie goes to extra time, played at the end of the second leg.
The away goals rule, which previously awarded progression to the team that had scored more away from home, was abolished by UEFA in 2021 and has since been removed from the Champions League, Europa League, and most major competitions. UEFA confirmed the change following a recommendation from UEFA’s competition committee. If scores remain level after extra time, a penalty shootout decides the tie.
Penalties
If the score is equal after added time, the game will move onto a penalty shootout. Typically, players will take it in turns to take a shot on goal from a specific spot.
Each team takes it in turns to shoot with the only defender being the goalkeeper. The winner is determined by the largest number of successful goals after a specific number of attempts. If the score is still equal, the shootout will continue on a “goal-for-goal” basis.
In this circumstance, the teams will take shots alternatively and the one that scores a goal unmatched by their opponent is the winner. If every player has taken a shot, certain players may need to take extra shots until the tie is broken.
This process is known as “sudden death”. As soon as one team misses a shot while the other team scores, they’re out of the competition.
Fergie Time
Fergie time is a phrase used in English football. It refers to an excessive amount of time at the end of a match to allow a team more time to equalise or win the game.
The phrase is named after Sir Alex Ferguson, the previous manager of Manchester United, and the perception that during matches in which Man United were not winning, there would be excessive time added for United to score an equaliser or win the game.
Whether or not this really exists is another question, but opposing fans certainly believe it does!
How Long Is Half Time in Football?
Half time in football lasts 15 minutes. Players are entitled to the break under Law 7 of the Laws of the Game, which states the break must not exceed 15 minutes. The clock on the interval starts when the referee blows for the end of the first half.
The break serves a few purposes. Players rehydrate, receive treatment for knocks, and hear tactical adjustments from the coaching staff.
Half time in extra time
If a match goes to extra time, there is no full interval between the two 15-minute periods. Players switch ends and play resumes almost immediately, though Law 7 permits a short drinks break of no more than one minute at the halfway point of extra time.
Why is half time 15 minutes?
In football’s earliest days, when different schools played by different rules, half time gave teams the chance to switch rule sets midway through so neither side had an advantage. Changing ends at the interval survives from the same era, balancing out any advantage from wind or slope. The modern 15-minute standard was settled as the game professionalised, giving players enough time to recover without letting muscles cool down completely.
In Summary
A standard football match is 90 minutes made up of two 45-minute halves. In the middle of the game, there is a 15-minute break known as ‘half-time’. There are some exceptions to this duration including youth games and games with additional time and/or penalty shootouts.
For the most part, however, a standard football game will always be 90 minutes to adhere to the FA’s official rules.
For more information on the length of a football match, visit the Laws of the Game and FA Rules page on the FA’s official website.
FAQs
How long is a World Cup football match?
Group stage World Cup matches follow the standard 90-minute format plus stoppage time. Knockout matches can add 30 minutes of extra time if scores are level, followed by a penalty shootout if needed.
How much of a football match actually involves the ball being in play?
Less than most fans would expect. Premier League data shows the ball is in active play for an average of around 54-55 minutes per game, less than 60% of the 90-minute match.
Do women’s football matches last the same length as men’s?
Yes. Professional women’s football follows the same Laws of the Game: two 45-minute halves, a 15-minute half-time break, and the same rules around stoppage time, extra time, and penalties.
How long is half-time in football?
Half-time lasts 15 minutes at professional level, as set out in the Laws of the Game. The duration is fixed; referees cannot extend it without reason.
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