How long does an AFL game go for?

An AFL game officially goes on for 80 minutes, split into four quarters of 20 minutes each. But once you add in breaks between quarters and stoppage time, the AFL game length can be closer to 2h30m.

AFL, or Australian Rules Football, is a distinctly Australian sport. It’s played on an ovular field, and has far more in common with Gaelic football than the football played in the rest of the world.

At a very basic level, players have to kick a ball between the posts for six points, and get near for one point.

Watching a game of AFL is a nice way of experiencing a little local culture in Australia. Tickets are usually fairly cheap, and the stadium atmosphere is generally friendly. If you want to try watching a match live, you can book tickets for a game at Melbourne’s MCG.

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Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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How long is an AFL game?

But how long does an AFL go for? Officially an AFL game is played over 80 minutes. But that 80 minute AFL game length is broken down into four quarters of play, each lasting 20 minutes.

In reality, though, the duration of an AFL quarter lasts longer than 20 minutes. The clock stops every time the ball goes out of bounds. The umpire also frequently stops the clock for fouls and injuries. These stoppages add an extra five to ten minutes to each quarter.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.

Australian Rules Football rest periods

There are also rest periods between the quarters. Before the second and fourth quarters of an Australian Rules Football match, there are six minute breaks. At half time, there is a 20 minute breaks.

So, 32 minutes gets added on to the official AFL game time before you even take stoppage into account. Realistically, the duration of an Australian Rules Football Match is over two hours. The AFL game length including breaks is closer to the two-and-a-quarter hour mark, and sometimes around two-and-a-half hours.

Great places to watch an AFL game include the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide and Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.

Australia Travel Questions also has guides to the length of an NRL game and how long a T20 cricket game lasts.

Find the best Aussie accommodation deals before you set off.
And some incredible experiences!