Between the fast skating, frequent stoppages, and resurfacing breaks, hockey time can feel like it bends the laws of physics.
So, how long is an ice hockey game, really? Let’s break down every minute from puck drop to the final horn and answer once and for all what time that 7 PM game actually ends.
The Real Length of an Ice Hockey Game
At its core, an ice hockey game has three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of game time.
That’s 60 minutes total, right? Well, not exactly.
Those 60 minutes are “stop-time minutes”, meaning the clock halts every time the play stops goals, penalties, icing calls, offsides, you name it. Add in two intermissions, pre-game warm-ups, commercial breaks, and you’re suddenly looking at a solid 2½ to 3-hour experience.
Here’s the basic structure for most professional games (like the NHL):
| Segment | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-game warm-up | 15–20 mins | Players stretch, skate, and test equipment |
| 1st Period | 20 mins | Game clock time |
| Intermission #1 | 15–18 mins | Ice resurfacing and break |
| 2nd Period | 20 mins | More gameplay |
| Intermission #2 | 15–18 mins | Another resurfacing |
| 3rd Period | 20 mins | Final regulation play |
| Possible Overtime | 5–20 mins | Depends on rules |
| Total Runtime | ~2.5–3 hrs | Including all stoppages |
So, if a match starts at 7 PM, you’re likely heading out of the arena around 9:40 PM give or take a few minutes.
Why the Clock Stops So Often
If you’re new to hockey, the stop-time rule might be confusing. It’s not like football or basketball, where the clock runs continuously.
In hockey, the game clock freezes every time:
- The puck leaves play
- An icing or offside is called
- A goal is scored
- A penalty occurs
- A goalie freezes the puck
- A player is injured or play is delayed
All these small pauses add up. Even if the total “game time” is 60 minutes, the real-world duration easily doubles.
You’ll often notice a referee whistle, a quick faceoff reset, and then just as the rhythm returns another whistle. It’s a constant stop-and-go, but that’s what makes hockey so tactical.
Each stoppage becomes a micro-moment for teams to reset, catch breath, and tweak strategy. Coaches love it. Viewers, not so much when the game drags into bedtime hours.
Average Duration: From Start to Finish
So how long does an entire hockey game actually last from start to finish?
Professional / NHL games
Average 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.
This includes:
- 60 minutes of play
- About 30–35 minutes of stoppages
- 30 minutes of intermissions and resurfacing
- 10–15 minutes for warm-ups and setup
College hockey
Tends to be slightly shorter, around 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on league and broadcasting breaks.
Amateur or youth hockey
Usually 90 minutes to 2 hours, as these levels often have running clocks, fewer commercials, and shorter breaks.
Bottom line: if you’re going to a pro game, plan for a 3-hour experience. If you’re catching a youth match, you might be out sooner than your parking meter expires.
What Time Will a 7 PM Hockey Game End?
Here’s where real-world math helps.
If puck drops exactly at 7:00 PM, the sequence usually plays out like this:
| Time | Game Progress |
|---|---|
| 7:00–7:45 PM | First period (20 min + stoppages) |
| 7:45–8:05 PM | First intermission |
| 8:05–8:50 PM | Second period |
| 8:50–9:10 PM | Second intermission |
| 9:10–9:45 PM | Third period |
| 9:45–9:55 PM | Overtime or post-game ceremonies |
So, a 7 PM game typically ends between 9:40 and 9:55 PM.
If it’s a playoff night with overtime or shootout drama, you might not leave until after 10 PM.
Overtime and Shootouts Explained
Here’s where things stretch further.
Regular Season Overtime (NHL)
If teams are tied after 60 minutes:
- 5-minute sudden-death overtime (3-on-3 skaters)
- If no goal is scored → Shootout
Each team alternates penalty shots until someone wins. The shootout usually takes 5–10 minutes.
Playoff Overtime
Different beast entirely.
No shootouts here. It’s full 20-minute sudden-death periods until someone scores meaning a game could last well over 4 hours.
The longest NHL game in history?
1936: Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Maroons it lasted 176 minutes, 30 seconds of play and ended at 2:25 AM.
Now that’s commitment.
How Ice Resurfacing and Intermissions Add Up
Between each period, the ice gets resurfaced that’s when the Zamboni (the big slow machine that looks like a rolling fridge) takes a few laps.
It smooths and refreezes the surface for safer, faster play.
Each resurfacing and intermission combo lasts around 15–18 minutes, enough time for fans to grab snacks, stretch legs, or post a few rink selfies.
Over three periods, that’s roughly 35 minutes of non-game downtime not counting warm-ups and stoppages.
So when people say, “A hockey game is an hour long,” you can smile knowingly.
It’s really closer to watching an entire movie with built-in snack breaks.
Do Hockey Games Last 3 Hours?
Yes and that’s pretty much standard for any televised or live professional hockey event.
A regulation match (three periods + intermissions) clocks in around 2 hours 40 minutes, and post-game wrap-ups or overtime easily push it past the 3-hour mark.
But here’s the twist: unlike some sports where downtime feels endless, hockey’s action-to-pause ratio stays exciting.
Every faceoff matters. Every shift is short and explosive.
Even those 18-minute intermissions have their charm light shows, fan cams, or the legendary half-ice contests where people shoot for prizes.
So while yes, hockey technically lasts three hours, it rarely feels slow.
Why NHL Games Take Longer Than Local Leagues
If you’ve ever attended a local league match and thought, “That went by fast,” you’re right.
Here’s why NHL or televised games take longer:
- Commercial breaks.
Every period has multiple TV timeouts around three per period, each lasting about 2 minutes. That’s an extra 18 minutes right there. - Video reviews.
Goals, offsides, or penalties can be reviewed in detail, adding several minutes of delay. - Ceremonies and pre-game rituals.
National anthems, player intros, and sponsor mentions take time before puck drop. - Longer intermissions.
Because of broadcast schedules, NHL intermissions often run 18–20 minutes, not 15. - Higher stakes.
More penalties, more stoppages, more strategy timeouts.
Local leagues, on the other hand, often use running clocks, fewer officials, and skip most formalities.
It’s hockey stripped to its essence fast, scrappy, and refreshingly brief.
The Role of Penalties, Timeouts, and Reviews
Let’s talk about all those little time-eaters that sneak in.
- Penalties: Each minor penalty is 2 minutes of game time, but before that, there’s always a pause to announce it and line up the power play.
- Coach challenges: In modern NHL, a coach can challenge certain calls and those reviews easily stretch 3–5 minutes.
- Official reviews: When a puck barely crosses the goal line or hits the post, expect a full replay review from Toronto’s “war room.”
- Team timeouts: Each team gets one 30-second timeout per game, often used in clutch moments late in the third period.
All these add to the unpredictability of end times. That’s why when someone asks, “When will this hockey game end?” the only honest answer is: “It depends.”
How Long Each Hockey Level Lasts
| Level | Periods | Intermissions | Average Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL / Pro Leagues | 3 x 20 min | 2 x 18 min | 2 h 45 min–3 h 10 min |
| College Hockey | 3 x 20 min | 2 x 15 min | 2 h 30 min |
| Junior / Amateur | 3 x 20 min (sometimes running clock) | 2 x 10 min | 1 h 45 min–2 h |
| Youth Hockey | 3 x 15 min (running clock) | Short breaks | 1 h 15 min–1 h 30 min |
| Olympic / International | 3 x 20 min | 2 x 15 min | 2 h 30 min–2 h 45 min |
What About Delays and Shootouts?
Sometimes the schedule just falls apart.
A broken pane of glass, a malfunctioning goalpost, or even ice damage can delay a game by 10–20 minutes.
And if both teams keep tying in a shootout?
The record for longest shootout in NHL history belongs to the Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals (2014) it lasted 20 rounds, taking nearly 15 extra minutes beyond regulation.
So yes, hockey has its curveballs.
How Ice Hockey Differs From Field and Roller Hockey
To put things in context:
| Hockey Type | Regulation Time | Common Total Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Hockey | 3 x 20 min | ~3 hours |
| Field Hockey | 4 x 15 min | ~90 minutes |
| Roller Hockey | 2 x 20 min | ~1 h 45 min |
| Street / Inline Hockey | Varies | ~60–90 minutes |
Ice hockey is the most complex because of clock stoppages, resurfacing, and broadcast structure.
That’s why you can’t simply “add it up” you’ve got to factor in everything happening between the whistles.
Why It’s Worth the Wait
Even though the game stretches longer than most sports, the intensity makes every minute count.
No other sport blends physics, stamina, and skill quite like hockey from lightning-fast line changes to goalies performing near-superhuman saves.
Each delay builds anticipation. Each intermission refuels the crowd.
It’s part of what makes hockey an experience, not just a match.
And let’s be honest if you’ve ever stood in a packed rink when your team scores a last-second overtime goal, you’ll agree: those extra minutes are absolutely worth it.
Tips for First-Time Viewers: When to Arrive and Leave
If you’re heading to your first live game, timing is everything. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Arrive 30–40 minutes early.
Parking, security, and seat finding take longer than you think. Plus, you’ll catch warm-ups a hidden gem of skill. - Expect to stay three hours minimum.
That covers everything, even if the game goes to overtime. - Don’t rush out right after the final horn.
Post-game handshakes, fan tosses, and highlight replays are part of the charm. - If bringing kids, plan snack breaks around intermissions.
The Zamboni alone keeps them entertained. - Avoid leaving between periods.
Concession queues peak then. Hit the stands right after the second period starts instead.
With a bit of planning, the experience feels smooth not marathon-like.
Quick Recap: Hockey Game Duration at a Glance
| Situation | Game Clock Time | Real Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | 60 minutes | ~2 h 40 min |
| Overtime (Regular Season) | +5 minutes | +10 min actual |
| Shootout | N/A | +5–10 min |
| Playoff Overtime | +20 min per period | Unlimited |
| Longest NHL Game Ever | 176 minutes | Over 6 hours total |
So the next time someone says “a hockey game is just an hour,” you can politely hand them this chart.
FAQs About Hockey Game Length
What time will a 7 PM hockey game end?
Usually between 9:40 PM and 9:55 PM.
Add 10–20 minutes more if there’s overtime, reviews, or post-game ceremonies.
How long do ice hockey games last in total?
On average, 2½ to 3 hours, depending on league level, stoppages, and overtime rules.
Do hockey games last 3 hours?
Yes most professional games easily reach the 3-hour mark once you include warm-ups, intermissions, and reviews.
How long is a full NHL hockey game?
A standard NHL game lasts 60 minutes of play, but the real experience runs about 2 hours 45 minutes from puck drop to final whistle.
What Makes Time Feel Faster in Hockey
Psychologists call it “flow” when you’re so absorbed that time seems to vanish.
Hockey thrives on it.
Between the speed, the stakes, and the crowd energy, those 3 hours pass like 90 minutes.
Even with stoppages, your brain stays locked on the next rush, the next hit, the next shot.
So yes, hockey technically lasts longer than most sports but it’s rarely boring.
That’s the beauty of it: three hours of pure, icy adrenaline.
Final Thoughts
So, how long is an ice hockey game?
On paper: 60 minutes.
In reality: Closer to 3 hours.
But it’s not just about the clock it’s about the experience.
The cold arena air, the sound of blades carving ice, the tension before a faceoff, the eruption after a goal.
If you go in expecting a 3-hour rollercoaster, you’ll leave with a grin and maybe a hoarse voice from cheering too loud.
Next time someone asks, “When does a 7 PM hockey game end?”, you can say:
“Usually around 9:45 PM but trust me, you’ll wish it lasted longer.”
Rachel combines her technical expertise with a flair for clear, accessible writing. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, she specializes in creating detailed tech-focused content that educates our readers about the latest in web development and SEO tools at Spinbot blog.