How Long is a High School Soccer Game?

Last updated on July 15th, 2023 at 11:40 am

How long is a high school soccer game? Generally, a high school soccer game is 80 minutes plus stoppage time. Each match is two 40-minute halves.

This can equate to approximately two hours of real world time when you consider halftime and potential stoppage time.

For example, If a high school soccer game starts at 4 pm, it will end at about 6 pm.

A soccer game at the high school level is a little less time than a college and professional match.

Side note: Your high school may differ depending on the state and league rules. On most occasions, each match is 80 or 90 minutes.

In this article, we’ll delve into more details about a high school soccer match.

Page Contents

Stoppage Time in High School

Stoppage time or otherwise known as extra time is additional time added to each half of a soccer match.

A referee will determine when to stop his or her clock. Reasons for a referee to stop their clock can include:

Injuries
Substitutions
Preparing for a corner kick
The time it takes to give out yellow or red cards
Any other significant delays such as excessive celebrations or the ball going out of bounds

Sometimes a referee will add some stoppage time to each half to extend the game out a little longer than 80 minutes. For example, the first half could be 40+3 min. (stoppage time) and second half 40+2 min. (stoppage time) so a mathematician would say the game is 85 minutes long.

What About Tie Games in High School?

If the high school game is tied at the end of regulation, a few things could happen depending on the rules of the league. During the regular season, a game that ends in a tie will end in what is called a draw (tie).

During the playoffs, games that end in a tie usually have an overtime consisting of two 10-minutes periods. Depending on the state and league, the first goal wins the match.

If the two teams are still tied at the end of the two overtime periods then the game will progress into penalty kicks (PKs). The winner of the high school match will be determined by PKs.

The reason why playoffs and regular season are different is because playoff games usually need a winner to advance.

High School Sports Governing Associations by State

Alabama – Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA)
Alaska – Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA)
Arizona – Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA)
Arkansas – Arkansas Activities Association (AAA)
California – California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)
Colorado – Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA)
Connecticut – Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC)
Delaware – Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA)
Florida – Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)
Georgia – Georgia High School Association (GHSA)
Hawaii – Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA)
Idaho – Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA
Illinois – Illinois High School Association (IHSA)
Indiana – Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA
Iowa – Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA)
Kansas – Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA)
Kentucky – Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA)
Louisiana – Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA)
Maine – Maine Principals’ Association (MPA)
Maryland – Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA)
Massachusetts – Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA)
Michigan – Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)
Minnesota – Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)
Mississippi – Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA)
Missouri – Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA)
Montana – Montana High School Association (MHSA)
Nebraska – Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA)
Nevada – Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA)
New Hampshire – New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA)
New Jersey – New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA)
New Mexico – New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA)
New York – New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA)
North Carolina – North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA)
North Dakota – North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA)
Ohio – Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA)
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA)
Oregon – Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA)
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA)
Rhode Island – Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL)
South Carolina – South Carolina High School League (SCHSL)
South Dakota – South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA)
Tennessee – Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA)
Texas – University Interscholastic League (UIL)
Utah – Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA)
Vermont – Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA)
Virginia – Virginia High School League (VHSL)
Washington – Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)
West Virginia – West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC)
Wisconsin – Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA)
Wyoming – Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA)

Playing Soccer for Your High School

Playing with your school’s name on the front of your jersey with family and friends watching you can be very exciting.

From August to November, high school soccer provides student-athletes a chance to play the game they love and showcase their talents on the soccer field.

On some occasions, high school soccer players are competing to get scouted by colleges. I say occasionally because many college scouts are now attending only showcases played by clubs.

With all this said, it is an honor to play for one’s school and memories that many will reflect on.

It is best to work as hard as you can, enjoy the time with your teammates, be open to making new friendships, and have fun (because it goes by so fast)!