How Long is a Lacrosse Game? High School, College, & Professional Lacrosse Game Length

Those just learning how to play lacrosse are eager yet uncertain about the possibilities this great game holds. It’s a bit more niche than your average American sports, and that’s part of the allure – the mystique of lacrosse.

But, even something as simple as the lacrosse game length can feel perplexing to newcomers. So, how long is a lacrosse game? The lacrosse game duration is not uniform across the sport, which further complicates the question of how long the typical lacrosse game lasts. 

Throw in further confusion in the form of overtime and stop clocks, it’s a lot to try and unravel. But how long is a lacrosse game in general? The average length of lacrosse games falls between 45-60 minutes.

We’ll provide specific timelines for different types of games below, from youth lax to college and the pros. You can count on us for all things lacrosse, from helpful guides like this one to the most important essentials on your lacrosse equipment list!

How Long is a Lacrosse Game?

So, how long is a lacrosse game? There is actually not a one-size-fits-all answer. You’ll find that the length of lacrosse games varies from youth to college and even professional play. So, let’s start with the kids and work our way up to the big leagues.

How Long is a Youth Lacrosse Game?

So, how long is a youth lacrosse game? This is where you’ll see the most variation in game length because the answer varies based on age groups. 

The standard for a youth lacrosse game is approximately 32 minutes of regulation time, divided into quarters of 8 minutes each. The total time comes to around 46 minutes including breaks between quarters and halftime​​. 

However, the game lengths can differ for different age brackets. For instance, we’ve seen super short 24-minute-long 8U games divided into two 12-minute halves. We’ve also seen 10U games that span 40-45 minutes long, divided into either four 10-minute quarters​​ or four 15-minute quarters.

Generally, the game length increases with the age group, with younger players typically playing shorter games​​. So, how long is a high school lacrosse game?

How Long is a High School Lacrosse Game?

Lacrosse game length becomes more consistent in high school lacrosse. A standard high school boys’ lacrosse game lasts 60 minutes, broken into four 15-minute quarters. 

There are 2-minute breaks between quarters and a 10-minute halftime. In case of a tie, overtime periods of 4 minutes are played until the first team scores​​​​​​​​.

How Long is a College Lacrosse Game?

College lacrosse games standardize at 60 minutes of playtime for both men and women. These games are divided into four 15-minute quarters. 

Similar to high school games, there are 2-minute breaks after each quarter and a 10-minute halftime. This format is consistent across NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse games

How Long is a Professional Lacrosse Game?

What is the typical lacrosse game time length in the professional leagues? These games last 48-60 minutes, and the structure depends on the league. There are two main professional lax leagues:

• National Lacrosse League (NLL): This box lacrosse league plays four 15-minute quarters for a total lacrosse game length of 60 minutes. But, this timeframe can quickly grow with timeouts, quarter and halftime breaks, and the occasional overtime.
• Premier Lacrosse League (PLL): This outdoor league launched in 2019 and consists of a slightly shorter game length at 48 minutes, which is played across four 12-minute quarters. Teams get 3 timeouts, breaks after the first & third quarters, and a 10-minute halftime break. This adds up to games that can easily exceed an hour in length. 

A Word on Overtime and Ties

There are few thrills that compare to overtime in a tied lacrosse game, where the intensity and excitement reach new heights. Overtime rules vary depending on the level of play but share the common goal of breaking a tie to declare a winner.

In high school lacrosse, overtime consists of 4 minute periods played in a sudden-death format where the first team to score wins. College lacrosse follows a similar pattern, with sudden-death overtime periods to decide a tied game. The longest college lacrosse game to date resulted in seven overtimes!

Professional leagues, however, can have different approaches. For instance, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) uses a 15-minute sudden-death overtime, with more overtime periods to follow until there is a winner. Meanwhile, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) plays a 12-minute overtime with a running clock. The game ends in a tie if nobody scores.

Understanding the Impact of Stoppages on Lacrosse Game Length

Stoppages play a crucial role in the actual duration of a lacrosse game, often extending it beyond the regulation time. These stoppages can occur for various reasons, including goals, injuries, penalties, and timeouts. 

Each level of lacrosse allows a different number of timeouts, which also adds to the game length. High school games typically allow three timeouts per team, while college games may allow up to four, adding to the overall duration.

Pre-Game and Post-Game Ceremonies

Pre-game and post-game ceremonies are significant aspects of a lacrosse game that add to the overall time commitment. 

Pre-game activities typically include team warm-ups, introductions of players, and sometimes the national anthem. These ceremonies can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. 

Post-game activities often involve team meetings on the field, handshake lines with the opposing team, and sometimes award presentations, adding an additional 5 to 20 minutes depending on the league. 

These ceremonies are integral to the sport’s culture and sportsmanship, but they do contribute to the total time players and spectators spend at the game.

Impact of Weather and Delays

Traditional lacrosse is played outdoors, and thus, it’s subject to weather conditions. Rain, lightning, or extreme weather can cause delays or even postponements. 

Delays can vary greatly in length, sometimes just a few minutes to allow a brief shower to pass, or they can extend to hours in cases of severe weather. Of course, this isn’t an issue for leagues that play indoor lacrosse, like the NLL.

Time Variations in International Lacrosse

International lacrosse games, such as those in the World Lacrosse Championships, can have different time structures compared to domestic leagues. The game lengths can vary slightly, with adjustments made to quarter lengths or halftime durations to accommodate international regulations or tournament structures. 

For example, some international games might feature shorter quarters or extended halftimes for additional rest and strategy discussions, especially in tournament settings where teams might play multiple games in a day. 

These variations highlight the dynamic nature of lacrosse as a global sport and the importance of understanding different rules that govern game lengths internationally.

Final Thoughts on the Typical Lacrosse Game Length

So, how long is a lacrosse game? It all depends on the league! But a good range for the average length of lacrosse games is between 40-60 minutes of gameplay. This isn’t accounting for halftime, timeouts, delays, and pre-game/post-game ceremonies, though.

We hope you have a better grasp on the typical lacrosse game length after reading this guide. If you want to learn more about this game, our blog has resources on topics like how much do professional lacrosse players make, how much does lacrosse cost, beginner lacrosse drills, lacrosse ball size, how to clean lacrosse balls, and more.

If you’re thinking about playing this game, or already do, remember that we’re the game’s trusted provider of everything from lacrosse balls to the best lacrosse nets. 

Our balls are certified to meet NOCSAE, NFHS, and NCAA standards and are backed by our satisfaction guarantee. We can do everything from bulk orders to custom uniforms. So, choose LacrosseBallsDirect for all your lax needs!