Lacrosse game length varies by level and type of lacrosse, but generally follows these patterns:
- High School Lacrosse: Games are typically 60 minutes long, divided into four 15-minute quarters with a start-stop clock. There are usually 2-minute breaks between quarters and a 10-minute halftime
- College Lacrosse: College games also last 60 minutes, consisting of four 15-minute quarters with a start-stop clock, similar to high school. Halftime is about 10-15 minutes, with short breaks after the first and third quarters
- Professional Lacrosse: The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) plays four 12-minute running quarters (clock does not stop), totaling about 48 minutes of play. The National Lacrosse League (NLL), an indoor league, uses four 15-minute quarters with a start-stop clock, similar to college games
- Youth Lacrosse: Youth games are shorter, often two 20-minute running halves or four 8-15 minute running quarters depending on age group. For younger players, quarters may be as short as 8 minutes, totaling around 32 minutes of play
- Women’s Lacrosse: As of 2023, women's games are four 15-minute quarters with a start-stop clock, similar in length to men’s college and high school games
- Game Duration Including Breaks: Although regulation play is around 60 minutes at higher levels, actual game time including breaks, timeouts, and stoppages can extend to 75-90 minutes or more
In summary, a typical lacrosse game lasts about 60 minutes of playing time, divided into four quarters, but total event time can be longer depending on level and stoppages. Youth games are shorter to accommodate younger players.
