Introduction
If you have ever asked, how long is hockey period, you are not alone. Whether you are a new fan, a parent dropping off a kid at practice, or just trying to plan your evening around a game, understanding period lengths and the rules that affect game time helps you know what to expect. In this guide we explain period length in hockey across levels, compare ice hockey period duration in pro, college and youth leagues, and break down how stoppages, overtime rules, penalty times, and intermission length change actual clock time. Read on for clear examples, helpful tips, and a practical FAQ.
Professional hockey: NHL period length and what it means
The NHL uses three periods of 20 minutes each, played on a stop-time clock. That means the official clock stops whenever play is halted: whistles, offside, goals, puck out of play, and penalties. So the nominal period length is 20 minutes, but the real-world time depends on stoppages and TV breaks.
Key facts about NHL period length:
- Period structure: 3 periods, 20 minutes each
- Intermissions: Standard intermission length is 18 minutes between periods
- Overtime rules: Regular season overtime is 5 minutes of 3-on-3 sudden death; playoffs use 20-minute sudden-death periods until a winner is decided
Example: A regulation NHL game is three times 20 minutes of play (60 minutes). With two 18-minute intermissions plus warm-ups, national TV timeouts, and stoppages, the total event usually lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. If the game goes to overtime or a shootout, that adds another 10 to 30 minutes depending on format and stoppages.
College and international play: college hockey period length and IIHF rules
College hockey in the United States (NCAA) and most international games under IIHF rules also use three 20-minute stop-time periods, so in terms of ice hockey period duration the structure mirrors the NHL. However, there are small differences in overtime and other administrative rules.
- College hockey: NCAA games are three 20-minute stop-time periods. Overtime formats vary by conference and competition; many use a 5-minute sudden-death overtime, while postseason play often follows longer overtime periods.
- International (IIHF): Most international tournaments use 3×20-minute periods. Overtime in knockout rounds can be 5 or 10 minutes followed by a shootout; championship games often use extended overtime periods.
Practical note: Even though period length in hockey at college and international levels is nominally the same as the NHL, the pace, number of stoppages, and TV timeouts (if any) can change total event duration. College games without commercial breaks sometimes run a bit shorter than national broadcast NHL games.
Youth hockey, high school, and minor hockey periods: what to expect
Youth hockey period lengths vary widely by age group and governing body. Unlike pro and college levels, youth and high school leagues set period length to match players’ development and safety.
Typical youth and high school period lengths:
- Under 8 (U8): Often 3 periods of 10-12 minutes running clock, or modified cross-ice sessions
- Under 10 to Under 12 (U10-U12): Commonly 3 periods of 12-15 minutes, sometimes stop-time for older youth
- Under 14 and high school: Frequently 3 periods of 15-18 minutes; some high school programs use 3×20 minutes but many stick to shorter periods
- Minor hockey periods: Depends on association rules. Check local league rules for exact timings
Example scenarios: A house league U10 game might last about 60 minutes of scheduled time with a running clock — shorter than an NHL game. High school hockey games often look and feel like adult games, but intermission lengths and stoppage rules may be shorter.
Stop-time vs running clock: how game clocks affect ice hockey period duration
Understanding the difference between stop-time and running clock is essential. The stop-time clock, used at the professional and many amateur levels, stops when play stops. A running clock keeps moving regardless of stoppages, shortening the event’s real time.
- Stop-time: Clock stops at whistles. This produces predictable playing time (20-minute periods mean 20 minutes of active play) but unpredictable real-world duration.
- Running clock: Clock keeps counting down during stoppages. Common in younger age groups and some local tournaments to keep schedules tight.
Impact on game length: A stop-time 20-minute period might take 30 to 40 minutes in real time depending on how often play stops. A running clock period of 20 minutes will usually take close to 20 minutes plus a short break when officials manage the game. Penalty times also behave differently: penalty times usually use stop-time, so a 2-minute penalty can be longer in real time when play is stopped often.
Overtime rules, shootouts, and how they change total event time
Overtime dramatically affects how long a hockey game takes. The format differs by league:
- NHL regular season: 5 minutes of 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime. If still tied, a shootout decides the winner. Expect an added 15 to 30 minutes depending on stoppages and the shootout.
- NHL playoffs: 20-minute sudden-death periods at full strength until someone scores. These overtimes can last a single extra period or multiple periods, sometimes pushing total event time well beyond 3 hours.
- College and international: Formats vary. Some college games go to single sudden-death overtime then a shootout for regular season conference play; postseason games often use full 20-minute sudden-death periods.
Example: A playoff game that goes to triple overtime includes three extra 20-minute periods (plus intermissions), which can add 2 to 4 hours to the total event. That is why some playoff nights extend late into the night.
How long is a hockey game from drop of puck to final horn
Answering how long is hockey period is step one; the bigger question for fans is how long the full event will last. Here is a quick breakdown to estimate total time.
- Regulation NHL game: 60 minutes of play + two intermissions (18 minutes each) + warm-ups and TV breaks = roughly 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Regular college game: 60 minutes of play + two intermissions (usually around 15 to 17 minutes) = around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Youth game with running clock: 45 to 60 minutes scheduled, often finishes close to scheduled time.
- Game with overtime: Add 5 to 30 minutes for short overtimes and shootouts; add 60+ minutes for full 20-minute overtime periods in playoff formats.
Tip: To be safe when attending a pro playoff game, plan for 3 to 4 hours. For regular-season NHL games, 2.5 to 3 hours is typical. For youth games, check the schedule: running clock formats usually stick to advertised durations.
Practical tips for fans, parents, and players
Whether you are attending a game or scheduling one, these practical tips help manage expectations around period length and total event time.
- Arrive early: For pro and college games, arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for warm-ups and to find parking and seats.
- Check league rules: Youth and minor hockey associations list period lengths and intermission length on schedules — these determine whether a running clock or stop-time applies.
- Prepare for overtime: If a game may go to overtime, bring snacks, expect to leave late, and have a ride home plan for players and families.
- Understand penalty times: Short penalties are measured by the game clock, not real time. In stop-time periods, a two-minute penalty could last more than two minutes in actual elapsed time if play keeps stopping.
- Watch for TV timeouts: National broadcasts add scheduled TV timeouts that lengthen the intermission and period real-world times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long is a hockey period in the NHL?
A1: An NHL period is 20 minutes of stop-time. There are three periods in a regulation game, plus intermissions. Real-world duration depends on stoppages and TV breaks.
Q2: Are college hockey periods the same length as NHL periods?
A2: Yes. Most college and international games use three 20-minute stop-time periods. Overtime formats and intermission length may vary, however.
Q3: How long are youth hockey periods?
A3: Youth hockey period lengths vary by age group and league. Common formats include 3×10-12 minute running clock for U8, 3×12-15 minutes for U10-U12, and 3×15-18 minutes for older youth and high school. Always check your local league rules.
Q4: What is the difference between stop-time and running clock?
A4: Stop-time pauses the game clock at every whistle and stoppage; running clock continues to count down regardless of stoppages. Stop-time yields predictable playing minutes but unpredictable elapsed time; running clock helps keep events on a strict schedule.
Q5: How much time does intermission add between periods?
A5: Intermission length depends on the level. The NHL typically uses 18-minute intermissions. College and international intermissions are often 15 to 17 minutes. Youth games often use shorter intermissions to keep schedules moving.
Conclusion
So, how long is hockey period? The short answer: at most organized competitive levels, a period is 20 minutes of play. But the full picture includes the difference between stop-time and running clock, the league or level you are watching, intermission length, and overtime rules. NHL, college, and international games commonly use three 20-minute stop-time periods, while youth and high school leagues vary widely to suit development and scheduling. Knowing the variation in period length in hockey and factors like penalty times and TV timeouts helps you plan for game nights, practices, and tournaments with confidence.
Enjoy the game — and now you know what to expect when the puck drops.