An AFL game officially consists of four quarters, each lasting 20 minutes of playing time, totaling 80 minutes of actual game time. However, with stoppages such as injuries, goals, throw-ins, and time added on for these interruptions ("time-on"), each quarter typically lasts around 25 to 30 minutes in real time. Including the breaks—two 6-minute quarter-time breaks and a 20-minute half-time break—the total duration of an AFL game usually runs for about two and a half to three hours from start to finish.
For the AFL Women's (AFLW) games, quarters are shorter at 17 minutes plus time-on, and the entire game typically finishes in less than two hours.
Summary of AFL Game Length
- Four quarters of 20 minutes each (actual playing time)
- Time added on for stoppages (injuries, goals, etc.), extending quarters to around 25-30 minutes
- Two 6-minute quarter breaks
- One 20-minute half-time break
- Total match duration approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
AFLW Game Length
- Four quarters of 17 minutes each plus time-on
- Shorter breaks total about the same proportionally
- Whole game under two hours
Thus, an AFL game typically goes for about 2.5 to 3 hours including all stoppages and breaks.