how long is a half in soccer

In professional soccer, each half lasts 45 minutes of continuous play. This standard applies to major leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, and FIFA World Cup matches, making a full regulation game 90 minutes before any stoppage time.

Core Rules

Soccer halves follow FIFA's Laws of the Game (Law 7), where the clock runs continuously despite stoppages for injuries, fouls, or celebrations. Referees add "stoppage time" (also called injury time) at the end of each half—typically 1-5+ minutes—to compensate, but the halves themselves remain fixed at 45 minutes each.

Halftime between halves is capped at 15 minutes, giving players time to rest, hydrate, and receive tactical instructions from coaches.

Variations by Level

While pros stick to 45-minute halves, durations shorten for youth, amateur, or other formats to suit fitness levels:

• Youth (Under 10): Two 25-minute halves, 5-10 minute halftime.

• High School: Often two 40-minute halves, 10-minute halftime.

• Futsal (indoor): Two 20-minute halves with a running clock.

Level| Half Length| Halftime| Notes
---|---|---|---
Professional| 45 min| 15 min| Stoppage time added; clock doesn't stop.15
College/High School| 45 min / 40 min| 10-15 min| Varies by governing body like NCAA.5
Youth (U11-U12)| 30 min| 5-10 min| Prioritizes fun and development.5
Futsal| 20 min| 15 min| Stopped clock in some rules.4

Why This Structure?

The 90-minute format balances endurance with strategy—players cover 7-13 km per game, so halves allow sustained intensity without exhaustion. Halftime isn't just a break; it's pivotal for adjustments, as seen in famous turnarounds like Liverpool's 2005 Champions League comeback after trailing 3-0. In 2026, trials in some leagues (e.g., blue cards for sin-bins) add brief stoppages but don't alter half lengths.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.