Why Does Soccer Time Count Up?

One of the unique features of soccer is the way time is kept during a match.

Unlike other major sports, the time in soccer counts up rather than down. But, why the heck does the time count up? The answer is straightforward.

Soccer time counts up to allow the timekeeping during a match to be as simple as possible. The clock starts at zero and counts up, with the referee keeping track of the time.

This system allows for extra time to be added at the end of a match to account for stoppages in play, such as injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting tactics.

By counting up, the referee can accurately add the extra time to the end of the match to ensure a fair and complete game.