How long is an AFL game including breaks?
Australian Rules Football, commonly known as AFL (Australian Football League), is one of the highly pursued sports games in Australia. At first glance, you might assume the game runs for a set duration like soccer or rugby, but AFL is quite different when it comes to time management. So, how long is an AFL game? In this article, we’ll explore the official length of an AFL match, how time is structured, what can extend the playtime, and how it compares to other major sports in Australia.
Official length of an AFL game
A standard AFL game consists of:
- Four quarters of 20 minutes each
- A total of 80 minutes of playtime
But AFL is played with “time-on” rules. So the clock is stopped during different interruptions like when the ball leaves the playing field, after a goal is scored, or if a player is preparing to kick a set shot. So, whereas the official game time is 80 minutes, quarter lengths will often be 27-32 minutes.
In general, by adding all four quarters, an AFL game takes around 120-130 minutes of actual playing time or more than two hours.
Additional breaks and stoppages
Beyond the four quarters, scheduled breaks also contribute to the total duration of the match:
- Quarter time break: 6 minutes
- Half-time break: 20 minutes
- Three-quarter time break: 6 minutes
These add up to the total duration to about 32 minutes of the actual gameplay. Other factors, including the injuries that they sustain, the set shot score review, and the set-up time, would definitely prolong the length of play up to its whole duration.
How long is the average AFL game long?
Taking all stoppages into account, a game of the AFL from the bounce of the ball to the last siren is usually about 2 hours and 30 minutes. For the game itself, being somewhat stop-start with many free kicks, goals, and other interruptions, it runs a little bit longer.
Time management in AFL: “Time-on” vs “Time-off”
The games of AFL are unique among all sports due to the “time-on” rule. The clock is not ticking continuously like it does in soccer or rugby league.
- Ball-ups and stoppages: Time is stopped when the umpire calls for a stoppage because of a tackle, injury, or other reason.
- 50-metre penalties or set shots: The clock is stopped to allow a player to take his kick.
These stoppages mean that each quarter runs 7-12 minutes longer than its standard 20-minute timeframe, stretching the total match duration.
AFL game length compared to other sports
For fans who follow multiple codes, here’s how AFL compares:
Significantly shorter than: One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Test cricket
Longer than: Rugby league, soccer
Shorter than: T20 cricket matches
Do AFL finals games run longer?
Yes! Finals matches, including the AFL Grand Final, can be longer than regular-season games. This is mainly because of:
- More stoppages to review goals and video umpires.
- Longer breaks with more elaborate ceremonies and entertainment.
- Possibility of more time if the game is tied (in the final only).
How much time do you need to watch an AFL game live?
If you’re watching at the stadium or tuning in on TV, you should allow time for:
- Pre-game entertainment & national anthem: ~10-15 minutes before the bounce
- The game itself: ~2 hours 30 minutes
- Post-game celebrations and presentations (finals only): ~15–30 minutes
Key takeaways: AFL game duration
- A match is divided into four quarters, all of 20 minutes, but stoppages add another chunk of time for each quarter to around 27-32 minutes.
- In the game, time adds up to around 120-130 minutes, but the inclusion of breaks and stoppages makes a typical AFL game go on to about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Finals games, especially the Grand Final, tend to last longer because of more stoppages and pre-game entertainment.
- In comparison, AFL games are more prolonged than rugby league and soccer but shorter than cricket games.
- In the event of a draw for a final, extra time is played to extend the match.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned footy fan or just getting into the sport, understanding the duration of an AFL game can help you plan your viewing experience. The game itself is 80 minutes, but the whole experience, including breaks and stoppages, is 2.5 hours. Well, with the thrilling pace of the game, along with the fire of the crowd and the drama of close finishes, every moment of an AFL match is worth watching. So grab a drink, put on your colors, and be ready for two and a half hours of straight footy action. A Complete Breakdown for Australians.
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