How Long is an Average Football Game?
Football is one of America’s most beloved sports, with millions of fans watching each game. But how much time is actually spent playing? Let’s look at the average length of a football game.
Regular Season
During a standard, non-postseason football game, there are four 15-minute quarters. Halftime usually lasts 12 minutes. That makes for a total of about 2 hours (1 hour for the game and 1 hour for half time).
Preseason & Postseason Games
Preseason and postseason football games also involve four 15-minute quarters. The difference is that halftime is lengthened to 20 minutes for these two games, making for a total of about 2.5 hours (1.5 hours for the game and 1 hour for halftime).
Overtime
In the event of a tie, NFL postseason games and some college postseason games go into overtime. This typically consists of one extra 15-minute quarter. So, adding the overtime period to the game time, the total game time typically lasts around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Average Total Length
On average, a football game lasts about 2 hours when considering regular season and preseason games. Postseason and overtime games typically last around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Other Factors
Other factors can play into the game length, such as a large number of penalties, multiple time outs, or countless replays. So, a game could end up going over the usual length.
In conclusion, an average football game, including regular season and preseason, typically lasts around 2 hours. Postseason and overtime games can last up to 2 and a half hours. Keep in mind, however, that any of the following could add an extra amount of time to the overall length of the game:
- Penalties
- Time Outs
- Replays
