A standard rugby game lasts 80 minutes, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each. There is a halftime break typically lasting about 10 to 15 minutes between the halves
. The 80 minutes of playtime is the official match duration, but the actual time spent watching a rugby game is often longer due to stoppages such as injuries, substitutions, and video referee (TMO) reviews. The clock stops during these interruptions, so no game time is lost, but the overall match length can extend to around 100 to 110 minutes or even up to 2 hours in some cases
. In knockout matches, if the score is tied at the end of regular time, extra time may be played, usually consisting of two 10-minute halves, which can further extend the total duration
. In summary:
- Two halves of 40 minutes each = 80 minutes of play
- Halftime break = about 10 to 15 minutes
- Additional time for stoppages and reviews can extend the total event duration to approximately 100–120 minutes or more depending on the match flow
