How Long is a Soccer Game on TV?
Soccer (or football, if you’re in certain parts of the world) is one of the most popular sports in many countries across the globe. As a result, it also sees a large amount of broadcast time on a variety of networks. Knowing approximately how long a soccer game will take on TV can help you plan ahead for other activities.
Average Length of a Soccer Game on TV
On TV, a soccer game typically lasts 90 minutes. This includes two 45-minute halves, with a 15-minute halftime in between. Depending on the league, there can be extra time after the 90 minutes to break a tie. This extra time is made up of two 15-minute, sudden-death periods. Because these periods are sudden-death, the match ends as soon as one team scores.
TV Broadcasting Time
TV broadcasting times will typically include a 30-minute pre-game segment and a 15-minute post-game segment. This brings the total TV time to 2.25 hours (135 minutes). Commercials can tack on a few more minutes, making the duration come out to just over 2.5 hours.
Other Factors
A few other factors can determine if a soccer game on TV takes longer or shorter than its standard time. Delays can occur due to injury time or players receiving yellow or red cards, while certain leagues have timeouts that add a few more minutes of game time.
In Summary
When watching a soccer game on TV, plan for a game time of about 2.5 hours. This includes two 45-minute halves, a 15-minute halftime, and some extra time for halftime and post-game. It also accounts for any potential delays for injuries or other situations. With that, you’ll have a general estimate for how long a soccer game will run.
