Regular NHL hockey games last 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods.
Ever wondered howlong do hockey games last? It’s a common question for newcomers to the sport, or even for those just trying to plan their evening. The clock management and intermittent stoppages can make it seem longer than it actually is.
While the main game clock shows 60 minutes, the total time taken up by a hockey game can vary considerably. Factors such as penalties, intermissions, and any overtime needed will increase the overall time.
How Long Do Hockey Games Last?
Okay, so you’re curious about how long hockey games last, right? It’s a great question! It might seem like they go on forever when you’re really into it, or maybe you’re wondering how much time you should set aside to watch a game. Let’s break down exactly how much time you can expect to spend watching ice hockey, from start to finish. It’s more than just the clock on the screen; there’s a lot more to it!
The Standard Time: 60 Minutes of Play
The first thing to know is that a standard hockey game is divided into three periods. Each period is 20 minutes long. So, that means we get 20 minutes times 3 periods, which equals 60 minutes of actual playing time. This is what we call “regulation time.” This 60 minutes of play is what you’ll see in most professional hockey leagues, including the National Hockey League (NHL), and in many amateur and youth leagues as well.
Why It Feels Longer Than 60 Minutes
If the game has 60 minutes of play, why does it feel like it takes much longer to watch? Well, that’s because the game clock isn’t always running. There are several reasons for this, and these stoppages in play add to the overall time it takes to watch a game.
Intermissions: Taking a Break
Between each of the three periods, there are intermissions. Intermissions are like mini-breaks where players can rest, coaches can talk strategy, and fans can grab snacks or use the restrooms. In the NHL, the first and second intermissions are 17 minutes long, while the third intermission is usually shorter. In some leagues or at lower levels, the intermissions might be shorter. These breaks give everyone a chance to take a breath and prepare for the next period, but they certainly add to the overall game time.
Penalties: Sitting in the Penalty Box
Penalties are a part of every hockey game. When a player breaks a rule, they have to go sit in the penalty box for a certain amount of time. Common penalties include tripping, hooking, or interference. When a penalty occurs, the game clock stops, and it starts again once the penalty is over. This is another factor that adds extra time to the overall length of a game.
Different Kinds of Penalties
Not all penalties are the same. Some are minor penalties which are often 2 minutes in length. Other penalties are more serious, and can be 4 or 5 minutes long. If a player commits a really bad penalty they might get a “major” penalty which could last for 5 minutes. There are also misconduct penalties which could lead to the player being removed from the game for 10 minutes or even be ejected from the game completely.
Faceoffs: Starting Play
Every time the play stops, whether it’s after a goal, icing, a penalty, or if the puck goes out of play, the game restarts with a faceoff. A faceoff is when the referee drops the puck between two players and they fight to get possession of it. These faceoffs might only take a few seconds, but the cumulative effect of all of them throughout the game does add to the overall time.
Goals: The Most Exciting Stop
Whenever there’s a goal, the game clock stops. The celebration, the review if it’s a close one, and the time to get ready for the restart, all add to the overall time a game takes. Goals are exciting, but they also add time to the game.
Puck Out of Play: Where Did It Go?
Sometimes, the puck goes outside of the playing area, either by flying into the crowd or out of bounds. When this happens, the play stops until the puck is recovered, and the game restarts with a faceoff. These little delays all add up during the game.
Icing: When You Shoot Too Far
Another rule that can cause the game to stop is called icing. This happens when a player shoots the puck from their own side of the center line all the way to the other end of the rink, behind the goal line without it being touched by another player. If this happens, play stops and is then restarted with a faceoff in the end the defending team was trying to avoid the puck going to.
Injuries: When Players Need Help
If a player gets injured, the game will stop immediately so that they can get medical attention. If the injury is serious, this stoppage in play can add several minutes to the game. Player safety is always the priority, so these breaks are important, even if they add to the total game time.
TV Timeouts: Commercial Breaks
If the game is being shown on TV, there will be commercial breaks. These commercial breaks can add to the time you spend watching a game, particularly in professional leagues. They can vary in length, but they help the TV channels make money by showing the game on TV.
Overtime: When the Game is Tied
Sometimes, at the end of the three periods of regular time, the game ends in a tie. When this happens, the game goes into overtime. Overtime rules can vary across different leagues. In the NHL during the regular season, there’s a short period of 3-on-3 overtime. If still tied, then a shoot out occurs where teams take turns taking penalty shots.
How Long is Overtime?
- NHL Regular Season: 5 minutes of 3-on-3 overtime, followed by a shootout if still tied.
- NHL Playoffs: 20 minute periods of 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime, until one team scores a goal.
- Other leagues: Overtime lengths can vary significantly. Some use sudden-death overtime periods (where the first goal wins), or they may have a predetermined length.
Average Total Game Time
Now that we’ve looked at all the factors that affect how long a hockey game lasts, let’s talk about an average total time. While the 60 minutes of gameplay is a constant, the stoppages make the overall time vary quite a bit. Here’s a rough estimate:
- For most professional games (like the NHL): Expect about 2.5 to 3 hours. This includes the 60 minutes of play, intermissions, penalties, TV timeouts, and other stoppages.
- For amateur or youth games: The games might be shorter. This is often because the periods are shorter, and the intermissions might be faster. The total game time could be anywhere between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
Keep in mind that these are just averages. Some games may be shorter if there are few penalties or no overtime, and other games might go significantly longer due to numerous penalties, long injury breaks, or multiple periods of overtime.
Factors That Can Affect Game Length: A Summary
Here’s a recap of the main things that can make a hockey game longer or shorter:
- Number of Penalties: More penalties mean more stops and added time.
- Overtime: Overtime can dramatically increase the length of a game, especially in the playoffs.
- Injuries: Serious injuries can cause delays while medical staff attends to the player.
- Goals: More goals also mean more brief stoppages.
- TV Timeouts: If the game is on TV, these scheduled breaks add to the total time.
- Number of Whistles: Games with many stoppages for icing, offsides, and other rules, will take longer.
How Length Varies Across Different Leagues
The length of a game can also depend on the league or level of play. Let’s quickly touch on the variation you might see:
NHL
The NHL, as we have discussed, has 20-minute periods, 17-minute intermissions and a potential 5 minutes of overtime in the regular season, and unlimited 20 minute overtime periods in playoffs. This usually results in a total game time of about 2.5 to 3 hours. These games often have more frequent stoppages as well.
Minor League Hockey
Many minor league teams in North America and Europe also use the same structure as the NHL: 20-minute periods and regular intermissions. The overall length will be very similar to an NHL game but possibly a bit shorter because some leagues have shorter intermission times.
College Hockey
College hockey also typically uses 20-minute periods, but the intermissions and overtime periods can vary slightly based on league regulations. Overall the game will be around 2.5 – 3 hours long.
Youth Hockey
Games played by younger players, such as at the elementary school or middle school level usually have shorter periods, often 15 minutes long. These games often have shorter intermissions too. Expect total game time to be significantly shorter compared to professional or major junior levels, usually between 1.5 to 2 hours.
International Hockey
International hockey, including the Olympics and World Championships, typically uses the same structure as the NHL, which is 20-minute periods and regular intermissions. The total game time is normally very close to what you’d see in the NHL as well.
Planning Your Time
Understanding all the factors that influence the length of a hockey game can be helpful when you’re planning to watch one. If you’re going to a game in person, it’s always good to factor in potential extra time, especially for a long game with overtime. If you are watching from home, it might be a good idea to have a snack ready before you sit down to watch, just in case it goes longer than you anticipated.
So, while the clock says 60 minutes of hockey, you now know that a full game experience is usually longer due to those essential breaks, rule stoppages, and the possibility of overtime. These elements are what makes a game exciting and unique.
The actual game is much more than just the time on the clock. It’s about the fast-paced action, the thrilling moments, and all those elements that make hockey such an exciting and popular sport. While it is good to know that typical games are around 2.5 – 3 hours in length, it is just as important to know that games can vary in length due to many reasons. The length may not always be predictable but knowing this information will surely help any fan to plan to enjoy a game more thoroughly.
How long is a hockey game?
Final Thoughts
Standard hockey games consist of three 20-minute periods. However, the clock stops frequently for various reasons. This means actual game time usually exceeds 60 minutes.
Intermissions between periods add to the total duration. Games often go longer due to penalties and other stoppages. Overtime periods, if needed, make a game’s length even less predictable.
Therefore, how long do hockey games last? The total time including intermissions and potential overtime, it is commonly around two and a half to three hours. The game length fluctuates due to the constant stoppages.
