NFL preseason games are the same length as regular season games in terms of quarters, lasting four quarters like regular games. However, the actual total game time is roughly around three hours, similar to regular season games. Preseason games are played during roughly three weeks, with each NFL team playing three games (except teams playing in the Hall of Fame Game, which play four preseason games). To summarize:
- Each preseason game consists of 4 quarters, same as regular season games.
- Typical game duration is about 3 hours.
- Each team usually plays 3 preseason games.
- The preseason period lasts about 3 weeks before the regular season starts.
This means the playing time on the clock is 60 minutes (four 15-minute quarters), but the actual elapsed time with breaks and stoppages is about three hours per game.
