how long are hockey games?

TLDR: A standard professional hockey game, such as in the NHL, consists of three 20-minute periods, totaling 60 minutes of gameplay. However, including intermissions, stoppages, and commercial breaks, the average duration of a game is about two and a half hours.

Hockey games, particularly in professional leagues like the NHL, are structured into three periods of 20 minutes each, amounting to 60 minutes of actual playtime. However, the total time spent at a game is significantly longer due to two intermissions of about 18 minutes each, along with media timeouts and stoppages for penalties, icing, and other interruptions. On average, these factors extend the game to approximately two and a half hours.

Additional elements such as overtime and shootouts can further prolong the game if it ends in a tie. The overall length of a hockey game is influenced by various factors, including stoppages in play and commercial breaks, which can account for 15-20% of the total game time. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fans and players alike, as they impact both the viewing experience and player performance.