New fans and casual fans of soccer have probably asked why the match clock runs up, rather than down. In the U.S. we are used to watching and playing sports with clocks winding down.
Football, Basketball, and Hockey for example all have match clocks that run down. With the clock starting and time running out, matches end when the clock strikes zero. However, things are the opposite in soccer. The clock starts at zero and runs up in soccer.
How long is a soccer match? Soccer matches are 90 minutes, consisting of two 45-minute halves. Each half is 45 minutes long with the clock starting at zero. At halftime, there is a 15-minute break before the second half begins.
In soccer, the clock is a running clock. Meaning the clock never stops. Stoppage time can be added as the referees see fit during the half. Stoppage time is added to the clock per half and is determined by the referees. Extra Time is also known as Overtime, and is played after the end of 90 minutes plus any stoppage time that was added.
An explanation of stoppage time and extra time, with examples, will be explained later.
Not all levels of soccer play 90 minutes, or 45-minute halves. Ages 16 and younger play less than a 90-minute/45-minute match.
Only 17 and older (mainly varsity levels of high school), college, amateur, and professional play the full 90 minutes.
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How long is a soccer match by age?
Not all soccer matches are 90 minutes, but only because of age. The younger the players, the shorter the matches. We can’t expect kids to play a full 90 minutes of soccer. Just as we don’t have little leaguers play 9 innings in baseball. Or youth football playing 15-minute quarters, youth soccer also plays shorter matches.
However, high school and college level soccer does play 90-minute matches with 45-minute halves.
Baseball, Football, and Basketball at the high school and college level do not play the match time length as professionals.
Below is a breakdown of match length by age group as given by the United Soccer Association:
| Age Group | Match Length | Overtime Periods |
| Under-19 | Two 45′ halves | Two 15′ halves |
| Under-18 | Two 45′ halves | Two 15′ halves |
| Under-17 | Two 45′ halves | Two 15′ halves |
| Under-16 | Two 40′ halves | Two 15′ halves |
| Under-15 | Two 40′ halves | Two 15′ halves |
| Under-14 | Two 35′ halves | Two 10′ halves |
| Under-13 | Two 35′ halves | Two 10′ halves |
| Under-12 | Two 30′ halves | Two 10′ halves |
| Under-11 | Two 30′ halves | Two 10′ halves |
| Under-10 | Two 25′ halves | NONE |
| Under-8 | 4 -12′ quarters | NONE |
| Under-6 | 4 – 6′ quarters | NONE |
As you can see, once a player reaches age 17 and up, they will play the same match time length as professional levels of soccer.
90 minutes total with two 45-minute halves. Overtime for those levels, all the way down to age 15 play overtime halves of 15 minutes.
What is Stoppage Time in Soccer?
When watching a soccer match, casual fans have probably wondered why the time goes beyond 45 or 90 minutes. This is due to stoppage time, also known as added time.
What is stoppage time? Stoppage time is the additional time added to the end of the half to make up for lost time during that half. The referee determines the amount of lost time during the half. They then add that much time to the end of the specific half.
The amount of time is shown on a small scoreboard on the sidelines for each team to see. It is also displayed on TV along with the time counting above 45 or 90 minutes.
Stoppage time is a key part of the match. It’s also fair to add the time due to certain circumstances throughout a half that may cause a stall or pause in the match. Not making up for lost time would be unfair in a sport where there is a running clock. All other sports have the time stop for various reasons but not soccer.
There are also no timeouts in soccer. Therefore, stoppage time is crucial and very important. Stoppage time is added by the referee. During the half, the referee is adding up lost time to later add to the half.
Reasons for Stoppage Time
Below is a list of the most common reasons for stoppage time or additional time being added at the end of each half.
- Injury
- Substitutions
- Fouls/penalty cards
- Penalty Kicks
- Out of Bounds
- Free Kicks
- Corner Kicks
All the above situations cause delays in actual match play. When there is an injury, a player is on the ground and being tended to. All while the clock is running. Same with fouls and penalties.
The referees can call a foul and hand out a yellow or red card, but play has stopped, and the clock is still running.
During penalty kicks, corner kicks, and free kicks, the players are setting up, but the clock is still running.
Each situation has a gap in match play, which is what the referee is adding up during each half. Once 45 minutes is reached each half, the referee will add on additional time, or stoppage time.
There is some strategy to gaining stoppage time. We discuss how flopping in soccer is a tactic to try and gain some stoppage time or rest. Check out Why do soccer player flop for more info.
You’d be surprised to know that stoppage time results in goals, often. Teams get more aggressive as time runs out (or up however you look at it). Those extra few minutes can sometimes change an entire match. I’ve seen match tying and match-winning goals in stoppage time. It’s aggravating to the losing side team to see, usually causing an outcry of stoppage time being too long. Yet when it’s your team and they are losing, stoppage time brings hope.
Here is a highlight reel of stoppage-time goals. Notice the excitement!
What is Extra Time in soccer? Is overtime the same as extra time?
Now that we discussed how long a soccer match is and stoppage time, let’s review extra time and overtime. Extra time and overtime in soccer are the same thing. It’s called extra time in soccer but means the same thing as overtime.
In the U.S., we call it Overtime for all sports that are tied at the end of regulation. In soccer, it’s known as Extra Time.
Extra Time in soccer is two additional halves added at the end of regulation when a match is tied.
The additional halves, or extra time, also include stoppage time. When a soccer match is tied at the end of regulation, including all stoppage time, the match will go into extra time.
Extra time is also known as Overtime. They are the same thing.
There are two extra time halves, each for 15 minutes with a one-minute break in between. Only age group 14 and under (as indicated in the chart above) play less than a 30-minute extra time.
Is there always overtime? Are there ties?
I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of soccer matches end in ties. But you’ve probably also seen matches in extra time. Along with matches in shootouts. But why? Well, it depends on the league or tournament.
Not all leagues in soccer play extra time, or overtime. In the English Premier League for example, there are ties. Same with all the Professional Leagues like La Liga, Serie A, and MLS. A tie is awarded at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. No extra time/overtime at all.
Ties are not a bad thing in these leagues though, as each league gives 1 point for a tie. 3 points for a win. Zero points for a loss.However, in tournament play, there is extra time. Extra time of 30 minutes, with two 15-minute halves. One big thing to know in soccer in extra time is how the match ends.
A goal to take the lead does not mean the match is over.
A soccer match in extra time is not over until the 30 minutes of extra time, plus stoppage time is reached. Depending on the tournament, a tie may be awarded after extra time, or the match may go into a shootout.
In the FIFA World Cup for example, the rule is two straight 15-minute halves of extra time are played. If tied after that, the match goes to a shootout.
How does a shootout work in soccer?
One of the most exciting finishes in soccer is a shootout. A shootout is a dramatic final way to end a soccer match with a winner.
Depending on the type of league, or tournament the match is being played in, there may be a shootout. Typically if a match ends after regulation in a tie, then in extra time with a tie, it goes to a shootout. In a shootout, each team picks 5 players to take one shot against the goalie. Each team goes back and forth, one by one, with each shooter. Whoever has the most goals after 5 shots each wins the match. If after 5 shots each it’s tied, the shootout continues until there is a lead after each team has taken the same number of shots.
The reason there are shootouts in tournaments and not in leagues the point system. Also because tournament style of play sometimes have teams eliminated.
In league play, a tie is worth one point, so a match ending in a tie is not a waste. Because league play is over a course of a long season, those points from ties can add up. Ties are also given due to it being a long season, so there’s no reason to have matches drag on for extra time with so may matches ahead.
As for tournaments, sometimes matches have a winner move forward and a loser eliminated. So a tie is not possible for those results to happen. But extra time can’t last forever, so at some point there needs to be a change in the style of play. That’s where the shootout comes in. The last chance to end the match.
Check out the excitement of a shootout from the 2005 FA Cup Final:
What is a golden goal?
You may have heard the term “Golden Goal” in soccer as well. It’s also used in lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey. Most leagues and tournaments in soccer do not use the Golden Goal Rule.
The Golden Goal is a goal scored during extra time and results in the match ending immediately. It’s the same as sudden death overtime. The winning goal is known as the “Golden Goal” and is the deciding factor of a match in extra time.
Some leagues and tournaments will use a combination of golden goal, extra time, and shootout. The match rules for time would be 90 minutes plus stoppage time. A tie would send the match to extra time, with two 15-minute halves. If there is a goal scored during that time, the match is over. Thus, the golden goal rule.
However, if no golden goal is scored in extra time, the match would end extra time in a tie. At that point, the match would then go to a shootout.
How long is a soccer match conclusion
For most league, particularly ages 17 and above, soccer matches are 90 minutes long. Each soccer match consists of two 45-minute halves, plus stoppage time, and a 15-minute break in between.
Depending on the league, age level, or tournament, a soccer match may end in a tie.
However, it may also go into extra time (overtime), with or without a golden goal rule. After regulation and extra time, a soccer match concludes with a shootout.
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