How Long Are Premier League Half-Time Breaks?

**TL;DR: **Premier League half-time is 15 minutes long. That length is set by the IFAB Laws of the Game and applies across professional football. The clock starts when the first-half whistle goes and the second half kicks off when 15 minutes have passed.

It's such a familiar part of the rhythm of a match that most fans never question it. But the 15-minute break is a relatively recent codification, and the way it's used has changed a lot in the last decade.

The official rule

Law 7 of the IFAB Laws of the Game says players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes. A short drinks break, allowed in extreme heat, doesn't count toward this. The referee can shorten the break with both teams' agreement, although in practice this almost never happens in a Premier League fixture.

The clock starts as soon as the first-half whistle blows. The teams have to be back out on the pitch in time for the second half to kick off bang on the 15-minute mark.

How the 15 minutes get used

• Walk back to the dressing room and a quick recovery (around two to three minutes).
• Manager's tactical talk and any tweaks to the game plan.
• Hydration, energy gels, kit changes, ice packs.
• Physio attention for any minor knocks picked up in the first half.
• Final warm-up jog before heading back out.

That's a lot to fit in. Most managers say the talk has to be short and sharp. The famous Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer fits more neatly into this window than a long tactical lecture would. For a wider read on what shapes results, see our piece on what substitutions tell you about the next match.

Why does half-time sometimes run over?

Occasionally you'll see the second half kick off a minute or two late. Common reasons include floodlight checks, broadcast technical issues, a pitch problem, or a last-minute injury that needs strapping. Referees are generally strict about getting back on time, but they have discretion to delay if there's a genuine reason.

Long delays are different. Floodlight failures, medical emergencies in the crowd, or weather (think snow or fog) can suspend a game completely. We covered some of the unusual things that swing a match in .