How long is halftime in NFL? How does it compare to other American sports?

Snehith Vemuri
|PublishedSep 13, 2020

Halftime is a crucial interval for NFL players and fans. So, how long is halftime in the NFL and how does it compare to other sports?

NFL Sunday is back for the first time since the Chiefs got the best of the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV in February. If you’re watching the games today, you might be wondering how long the half-time is.

Also read: NFL Ratings down 2020: Black Lives matter protest and ‘kneeling’ to affect NFL Viewership

How Long is NFL Halftime?

Halftime is 12 minutes long for all NFL regular season games. Pre-1990, the break was actually 15 minutes but it has since been cut by 3 minutes.

One possible reason for this could be the already excessive commercial interruptions. Breaks between quarters, breaks between possessions, and timeouts mean that an hour of game time takes around 3 hours broadcast time.

For the Super Bowl, the halftime show takes around half an hour. Popular music artists are invited to put on a concert for the fans. Last season. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira performed the halftime show in front of 65,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Why is there a halftime?

Halftime is a welcome and necessary intermission for players, coaches and fans. Players can catch their breath and receive medical attention.

Coaches normally use the time to make adjustments to their game plan and motivate their team. If a team is down at half, the break can prove to be a huge momentum shifter for them.

Perhaps the most serious of all people at halftime is the fans checking on their fantasy teams at home. Others simply get a bathroom break and grab some food.

Halftime also has some technical implications. The teams switch sides to cancel the effects of elements like wind and incline. Moreover, the team which received the ball to start the game will have to kick it to begin the third quarter.

Also read: Highest Paid NFL Running Backs: Who are the highest paid running backs in NFL 2020?