An AFL game goes for about two and a half to just under three hours in real time, with 80 minutes of official game time.

Quick Scoop: AFL game length

  • Official game time is 80 minutes (4 quarters of 20 minutes each).
  • Because of stoppages and “time on”, each quarter usually runs around 25–30 minutes in real time.
  • With breaks between quarters, a full AFL match typically lasts about 2.5 to just under 3 hours from first bounce to final siren.
  • Breaks: roughly 6 minutes at quarter time and three-quarter time, and about 20 minutes at half-time.

So if you’re planning around a 7:30 pm start, you can usually expect the game to finish close to 10 pm local time.

Fans often say: “Lock in roughly three hours if you’re heading to the footy – anything less is a bonus.”