How long is a professional soccer game?

A professional soccer game lasts 90 minutes. The game is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a half-time break of no more than 15 minutes. Referees may add extra minutes at their own discretion.

Teams may decide to reduce the official playing time for extenuating circumstances, such as impending darkness, as long as the decision is made before the game starts. Soccer referees have the sole discretion to add time for delays that occurred during a half. The additional time is intended to make up for playing time that is lost when a player is injured or another player comes in as a substitution.