A standard Major League Baseball (MLB) game consists of nine innings and typically lasts around 2 hours and 35 to 3 hours. Recent rule changes, such as the introduction of the pitch clock in 2023, have shortened the average game length to approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes as of 2024, down from over 3 hours in previous years
. The exact duration can vary depending on factors like pitching changes, offensive activity, extra innings, and commercial breaks. Playoff games and games that go into extra innings often last longer, sometimes exceeding 4 hours
. In summary:
- Average MLB nine-inning game: about 2 hours 35–40 minutes (2024-2025)
- Older averages: around 3 hours or more before recent pace-of-play rules
- Extra innings or playoffs: can extend well beyond 3 hours
This makes baseball games somewhat variable in length but generally around the 2.5 to 3-hour mark in modern professional play
