Major League Baseball (MLB) games typically last about 2 hours and 35 to 2 hours and 40 minutes for a standard 9-inning game as of 2024-2025. This average has decreased significantly in recent years due to rule changes such as the pitch clock, which speeds up the pace of play. Factors like extra innings, pitching changes, and offensive activity can extend the game length beyond this average. Playoff games tend to be longer, often lasting 3 to 4 hours because of more pitching changes, no automatic runners in extra innings, and longer breaks. In summary:
- Average regular-season MLB game length in 2025: about 2 hours and 35 minutes.
- Average inning duration: around 15 to 20 minutes.
- Playoff games: typically 3 to 4 hours.
- Factors influencing length: pace of pitching, offensive events, pitching changes, extra innings.
This average game length is the shortest in about 40 years thanks in large part to the pitch clock and other pace-of-play initiatives.
