How Long is an Average Hockey Game? Beyond the 60 Minutes of Game Play (NHL, College & Recreation)
Have you ever wondered how long it actually takes to watch a full ice hockey game?
Whether you’re heading to your first NHL game, catching a college hockey matchup, or playing in a recreational league, it’s helpful to know how much time you should set aside. While the standard game length is similar across most levels of the sport, the total time commitment can vary based on the league and game circumstances.
In this guide, we’ll explore not just the NHL hockey game duration, but also how long you can expect college and recreational games to last.
Table of Contents
How Long Does an Ice Hockey Game Last?
A regulation ice hockey game lasts 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods. In professional leagues like the NHL, each of the first two periods is followed by an 18-minute intermission, bringing the average total runtime of a game to about 2.5 to 3 hours, including stoppages and breaks.
Overtime and shootouts can add extra time, especially in playoff games, where sudden-death overtime periods continue until a team scores.
Have hockey periods always been 20 minutes?
Originally, hockey was played in two 30-minute halves. However, the game transitioned to 20-minute periods to allow for ice cleaning more frequently.
As the play progresses in a hockey game, the ice quality deteriorates as more snow accumulates. 20-minute periods helped this and were adapted fully in the 1910-1911 NHL season.
Why are hockey intermissions 18 minutes?
Hockey intermissions are typically 18 minutes to allow the Zamboni to clean the ice. In the NHL, there is usually an event at the start of the intermission to keep fans entertained, followed by two Zambonis cleaning the ice to speed up the process.
For more on the ice is managed, please check out my detailed guide: How Does an Ice Hockey Rink Surface Stay Frozen?
Why does hockey have two intermissions?
The two-intermission format was brought into the game of hockey during the 1910-1911 NHL season. The two-intermission, three-period format allowed the NHL to maintain the ice quality during play.
Players are also allowed to rest and regroup in the intermissions. The players value the break from the physically demanding game. At the same time, the coaches are afforded time to strategize and advise players on their tactics moving forward.
How long is the total time to play a hockey match?
If you’re planning to play or watch a full ice hockey game, you should expect to spend around 2 to 2.5 hours from start to finish.
While the official game time is 60 minutes—broken into three 20-minute periods—the actual time commitment is longer due to stoppages and intermissions.
Every time the referee blows the whistle, play is paused. This can occur for various reasons: the puck leaving the playing surface, penalties, offside calls, goals, or injuries.
There are also two intermissions—one after the first period and one after the second—each typically lasting 18 minutes in the NHL and other professional leagues.
Breakdown of a Standard Ice Hockey Game Duration:
- Total regulation play time: 60 minutes (3 x 20-minute periods)
- Total intermission time: 36 minutes (2 x 18-minute intermissions)
- Average time for stoppages, commercials, penalties & injuries: 15–25 minutes
Total Estimated Game Time: 2 to 2.5 Hours
This timeframe holds true for NHL games, many college games, and most organized recreational leagues. Overtime and shootouts may add additional time in tied games.
But for fans, the game is even longer, as you need to arrive before the start of the game. And if you plan to go to a game, you’ll want to know how cold an ice rink is to decide what to wear.
Stoppages in the play also take up time because of commercials that run during the game broadcasts. But there are also practical reasons for stoppages, TV and team timeouts, and intermissions.
During commercial breaks, NHL teams will send out their ice crew to shovel excess ice shavings and snow off the ice. Doing so allows the puck to travel faster on the ice surface and to not get stuck along the boards.
How NHL Playoffs Affect Game Length: Overtime Rules Explained
The NHL Playoffs introduce a key difference in how long games can last, primarily due to sudden-death overtime when games are tied after regulation.
Overtime in the NHL Regular Season
During the regular season, if a game is tied after the standard 60 minutes of play:
- A 5-minute sudden-death overtime is played with only three skaters and one goalie per team (3-on-3).
- If no team scores in overtime, the game proceeds to a shootout, which typically concludes within a few minutes and determines a winner.
Overtime in the NHL Playoffs
In contrast, the Stanley Cup Playoffs follow a much different format:
- Tied games proceed to a full 20-minute overtime period with 5-on-5 play.
- Overtime periods continue—without shootouts—until one team scores. This is known as sudden death overtime.
Because there is no time limit on how many overtime periods can be played, NHL playoff games can last well beyond the standard game time, sometimes stretching into multiple overtimes.
Longest NHL Playoff Overtime Games
- In the modern NHL era, the longest playoff overtime game occurred on May 4, 2000, between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It featured 92 minutes and 1 second of extra play, ending 12 minutes into the fifth overtime.
- Historically, even longer games have occurred, including two games in the 1930s that extended beyond 100 minutes of overtime.
While these marathon matchups are rare, it’s not uncommon to see double or even triple overtime games a few times each postseason.
What time does a 7 PM hockey game end?
If you’re looking to attend or watch a hockey game that starts at 7 PM, you should plan to be done watching by 9 – 9:30 PM.
If you are attending the game, getting from your seats to your vehicle or other method of transportation can add significant amounts of time depending on how busy the arena is.
What time should I get to a hockey game?
If you’re attending a hockey game, you’ll want to get to the arena ~45 minutes before the game if you’d like to soak up the entire experience.
| Time (PM) | Typical Hockey Game Process |
| 6:30 | Player Warmup or Entertainment (Depends on the Venue & Game) |
| 7:05 | Scheduled Start Time |
| 7:20 | Puck Drop to Start First Period |
| 7:55 | End of First Period – Intermission |
| 8:15 | Puck Drop to Start Second Period |
| 8:50 | End of Second Period – Second Intermission |
| 9:10 | Puck Drop to Start Third Period |
| 9:45 | The Game Ends – Unless There is Overtime/Shootout |
Of note, the actual game starts 15 minutes after the stated time. In this case of a 7:05 PM game, puck drop will be somewhere around 7:20 PM. So if you’re planning your evening, be aware that the scheduled start time is not the same as when the game action begins.
Why arrive well before the puck drop? To get your seat and be inside the arena on time. You’ll also need time to get through the queues and grab snacks.
You may also want to arrive early to see the teams take warmup. This can be a unique experience, seeing professional hockey players preparing for the game.
If your game starts at 7 PM, aim to line up at the right entrance gate at 6:15 PM. The gate lineups move quickly, but an NHL arena will likely be busy once you enter the concourse.
The exact time you arrive depends on the size of the arena, traffic, parking and the number of fans in attendance. If in doubt, contact the arena or arrive slightly earlier to avoid missing the start.
There are plenty of sights to see at professional sports arenas, so you can never be too early – so long as you’re there after the gates open.
Hardcore fans typically arrive much earlier, while casual fans can arrive 5-10 minutes before the start of the game. Season ticket holders may also arrive right at puck drop since they attend the games regularly.
The anthem (sometimes two anthems if teams from different countries are playing) is sung at the time the game is scheduled to start. Puck drop usually immediately follows the singing of the anthem(s).
Pregame ceremonies and honors can sometimes cause the event to run longer before the puck drops.
If you’re in a special seat or a box, you’ll probably want to arrive a bit earlier to enjoy some drinks. These seats are expensive, so you’ll want to take advantage of the experience and savor every minute.
What Time Do NHL Players Arrive Before a Game?
Here’s a general breakdown of timing for NHL-level games:
- Team staff usually arrive at the arena several hours before game time to prepare the locker room and equipment.
- Players typically arrive about 2 to 2.5 hours before puck drop to begin their pre-game routine, including warmups, stretching, strategy meetings, and getting into their gear.
Most players will have already been at the arena earlier in the day for the morning skate, a light practice session held on game days. After the skate, players typically leave the arena to rest, eat, and mentally prepare before returning in the evening for the actual game.
Usual Gameday Arrival Times
- Home team staff: 2.5 to 3 hours before game time
- Away Team: 2 hours
- Home team Players: 1.5 hours before the game.
- Off-ice officials: 1 to 1.5 hour before game time
- On-ice officials: 45 minutes to 1 hour before the game.
How Long Is an NCAA College Hockey Game?
NCAA college hockey games closely follow the same structure as professional games like those in the NHL. The standard game length is 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods of stop-time play. However, several factors impact the total time commitment when attending or watching a college hockey game.
Game Structure and Timing
- Regulation Time: 3 periods × 20 minutes = 60 minutes of actual play
- Intermissions: 2 intermissions, typically 15 to 18 minutes each
- Stoppages: Timeouts, referee reviews, penalties, puck stoppages, and goals contribute additional time
Altogether, an NCAA hockey game generally lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the number of stoppages and whether the game goes into overtime.
College Hockey Overtime Rules
In regular-season NCAA hockey, if the game is tied after regulation:
- Teams play a 5-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime (similar to the NHL)
- If still tied, the game may end in a tie, or go to a shootout, depending on the conference’s specific rules
During the NCAA postseason or Frozen Four tournament:
- Overtime periods are full 20-minute sudden-death periods, just like in the NHL playoffs
- Play continues until one team scores — making it possible for games to extend much longer
Additional Considerations
- College teams often engage in pre-game ceremonies (e.g., senior night, national anthems, pep bands), so the puck drop may be delayed by 10–15 minutes after the scheduled start time.
- Arena size and fan turnout can affect entrance and exit times, with larger NCAA programs drawing sizable crowds.
Recreational Hockey Game Length
Lower league games — including beer leagues and local amateur hockey — typically follow the same structure for ice time as professional games, but there are key differences in format and timing.
Because recreational rinks are smaller, and there are fewer ceremonial or commercial interruptions, you can usually arrive closer to puck drop. As a spectator, you can also leave earlier, with shorter lines and minimal delays.
In many cases, recreational hockey may include just one intermission or skip intermissions altogether. This largely depends on the ice rental time slot the teams have reserved.
Additionally, many beer league or adult rec teams play shortened periods, often 15 minutes instead of the standard 20. Some leagues also use “running time” (or “run-time”), where the game clock doesn’t stop for whistles, penalties, or goals. This significantly shortens the total time required to play a full game.
These factors can affect how long the game lasts, so it’s helpful to check with the league or venue if you’re trying to estimate your time commitment for a recreational hockey game.
If you found this guide helpful and want to learn more about how to properly experience a live game, then please also make sure to check out my guide on what to wear to a game:
