A typical Major League Baseball (MLB) game lasts about 2 hours and 35 to 3 hours. Recent rule changes, especially the introduction of the pitch clock in 2023, have shortened game times significantly. For instance, the average MLB game in 2024 was around 2 hours and 35 minutes, down from over 3 hours in previous years. Before these changes, games could last around 3 hours and 10 minutes or more
. The length of a game can vary depending on factors such as the number of pitching changes, offensive activity, extra innings, and pace of play. Playoff games tend to be longer, often lasting 3 to 4 hours due to more pitching changes, no automatic runners in extra innings, and extended commercial breaks
. In summary:
- Average regular-season MLB game length: about 2 hours and 35 minutes (as of 2024–2025)
- Pre-2023 average game length: around 3 hours to 3 hours 10 minutes
- Playoff games: typically 3 to 4 hours or longer
These durations reflect the nine-inning structure of MLB games, where each inning consists of both teams batting until three outs are recorded per half- inning
