How Long Is A Soccer Game?

how long is a soccer game

Soccer Matches that are played are usually of varying lengths. It depends on the league that is playing the match. The length of the matches varies so that it can fit the different types of ages, levels, and skills of the players. 

In this article, I will be discussing “how long is a soccer game” and more. Keep reading till the end of the article to find out more information about the same!

Length Of Different Soccer Matches

Length Of Different Soccer Matches

To answer your query on “how long is a Soccer Game”, I am going to mention the duration of the matches in different settings/levels. 

Here is a list of the few timings of the Youth soccer matches at different leagues (I have mentioned the leagues in a descending manner): 

U17 To U19

The duration in total of the U17 To U19 matches is 90 minutes in total. Once the players reach these levels the game time becomes the same as both the collegiate and professional teams.

Keep reading till the end of the article to find out about how long is a soccer game and more!

U15 To U16

The duration in total of the U15 To U16 matches is 80 minutes in total. Starting from this league of matches, both the regulation time and overtime periods increased. This applies to the U17, U18, and so on. 

U13 To U14

The duration in total of the U13 To U14 matches is 70 minutes in total. Both the U13 and U14 league matches get the option of overtime, because of this the total match time increases by ten minutes (60 minutes + 10 minutes). 

U11 To U12

The duration in total of the U11 To U12 matches is 60 minutes in total. Both of the U11 and U12 league games also have the option of overtime. Because of this, the total game time increases by ten minutes.

U10

The duration in total of the U10 matches is 50 minutes in total. This league and the ones I will be mentioning below do not have any overtime play. This gameplay is very identical to the U8 gameplay as well. 

U8

The duration in total of the U8 matches is 48 minutes in total. The quarters of this game are two times as long as the league matches of U6. 

U6

The duration in total of the U6 matches is 24 minutes in total. This league of soccer game is all about the kids getting to know about the match basics. 

Tip: If you are wondering how long is a professional soccer game conducted for, then that is a total time of 90 minutes. The U17-U19 matches run for the same time as well.

Origin Of Soccer

Origin Of Soccer

The origins of the game of soccer are still not known to this day. There are a few people who say that it was the Aztecs who invented it, about 2,000 years ago. They used to play with a rubber ball back then.

Others claim that it was the country of China that used to play a similar version of the game back in 3rd CE BC. 

Later on, England made the game more formal and introduced football globally in the 19th CE. The university students of BBritain later named it “Soccer” and that nickname stuck to the game long after. 

Then came other variations of the game where the size of the ball differed and also the no. of players. The length of the match also was different for each unique variation of the game.

Some Common Queries

Some Common Queries

Here’s a list of some of the more common queries that you might have regarding Soccer matches:

What Is The Total Duration Of A High School Soccer Match?

The matches that take place in high schools do not follow the Soccer Federation of the US. Instead, they follow the rules that have been passed by the NFHS. 

Under it, each state is allowed to determine its match lengths, where most of the schools opt for 40-minute quarters. 

What Is The Total Duration Of A World Cup Soccer Match?

Let me answer this query “How long is a World Cup soccer game”? According to the rules that are set by the International Football Association Brand (IFAB), the total match duration is set at ninety minutes. 

The game is further divided into two halves. Each of the halves runs for a total time of forty-five minutes. There’s also the presence of a halftime in between both of the quarters of the match.

Are There Any “Overtime” In Soccer Matches?

If you are additionally wondering about “how long is a soccer game World Cup”, then let me tell you that when it comes to the regular games of Soccer matches – outside of the Olympics/World Cup that is, they usually do not have any overtime. 

If any of the matches end up in a tie then that is the result of that match – a draw! Like the other sports that are out there, Soccer matches similarly have rules that do not allow the matches to end up in a tie – there are different ranking systems allocated for that. 

To Wrap It Up!

To Wrap It Up

If you have never played/watched this game before then you could give it a try. Go for the lesser league games as the more professionals tend to run for 90 minutes which is a bit too long to stay concentrated. Have fun watching!

Thank you for reading the article up till the end. I hope you found the information regarding “how long is a soccer game” useful. 

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