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How Long Is a Flag Football Game?

An NFL FLAG regular-season game is two 24-minute halves on a continuous clock, 48 minutes in all, with a 2-minute halftime. Tournament games are two 12-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime. A lead of 35 points ends a regular-season game early, and 28 points in tournaments.

Game timingGame lengthTwo 24-minute halves, continuous clock (tournaments: two 12-minutehalves)Clock and play clock40 seconds to snap after the ball is spotted (tournaments: 25seconds)TimeoutsOne 60-second timeout per half (tournaments: three 30-secondtimeouts per game)OvertimeOne play each from the 5 (1 point) or the 10 (2 points); 2ndovertime: 2-point tries only; from the 3rd: one play from the 5going out, most yards winsMercy rule35-point lead ends the game (tournaments: 28)Made with flagplaylab.com. Check every line with your league before you print it.flagplaylab.com
Game timing

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How long is a flag football game? An NFL FLAG regular-season game is two 24-minute halves on a continuous clock, 48 minutes in all, with a 2-minute halftime. Tournament games are two 12-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime. A 35-point lead ends a regular-season game early (28 in tournaments). The card below is filled in with these timing rules: change any line to match your league, then print it or save it as a PDF. It is free, needs no account and runs in your browser, so you can use it on the sideline. Take these with you: the free FlagPlayLab app for iPhone and Android has the same play designer and playbook.
How long is a flag football game example

How to use the tool on this page

  1. Read the card. It starts with the NFL FLAG regular-season and tournament values for time, play clock, timeouts, mercy rule and overtime.
  2. Click a line and type your league’s value over it, such as a shorter game for younger divisions.
  3. Change the title if you want your league or team name on the sheet.
  4. Press PDF to save the card, or Print to print it.
  5. Hand the card to the scorekeeper and coaches before the game so everyone knows the clock rules.

Your own league may play shorter games, especially for younger players. The NFL FLAG rulebook does not give a separate game time for 8U, 7U or 6U, so ask your league for its schedule and fill the card with those numbers. On a phone the tool fits one column. Printed or saved sheets keep their labels in black and white, so they photocopy cleanly for assistant coaches. What you type stays in this browser only; nothing is uploaded, and clearing the site data removes it. Check the values against your league sheet before you hand the printout to the other coaches, and save the PDF if you want a copy on your phone for game day.

How long is a flag football game?

A regular-season flag football game under NFL FLAG rules is 48 minutes of game clock, played as two 24-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime. Tournament games are shorter, using two 12-minute running-clock halves and a 1-minute halftime. Neither version gives the total time you will spend on the field.

The regular-season clock runs continuously, but it stops for halftime, injuries, and at the officials’ discretion. Officials also stop it for team timeouts. Each stoppage adds real time, so a game can last longer than the clock shows. The rulebook doesn’t state a start-to-finish total, so allow some extra time when you plan.

How does the clock work in a flag football game?

The flag football clock is continuous, so it keeps running between plays. Once the ball is spotted, the offense has 40 seconds to snap it in regular-season play, or 25 seconds in tournaments. Timeouts depend on which format you’re playing.

Overtime works differently. There are no timeouts, and each team gets one coach’s challenge for the whole overtime session.

How do regular-season and tournament timing compare?

NFL FLAG Official Playing Rules, section VI and rule VII.6, revised 2025-03-24.

RuleRegular seasonTournament
GameTwo 24-minute halves, continuous clockTwo 12-minute halves, running clock
Halftime2 minutes1 minute
Play clock40 seconds after the ball is spotted25 seconds
TimeoutsOne 60-second timeout per halfThree 30-second timeouts per game
Game ends earlyLead of 35 pointsLead of 28 points

When does a flag football game end early?

A flag football game ends early when one team leads by 35 points or more in regular-season play. In tournament play, the margin is 28 points. Teams can also agree to keep playing after the margin is reached, and the score stays as it is.

Play typeMargin that ends the gameForfeit score
Regular season35 points35-0 for the winning team
Tournament28 points28-0 for the winning team

If a team forfeits, the other team wins by the forfeit score in the table above. Check your league’s rulebook to confirm which play type applies to your game.

What happens in overtime?

If the score is tied when the game ends, overtime decides the winner. Each overtime period gives both teams a chance to score, and the rules change as the periods go on, with the biggest shift coming in the third.

Overtime periodWhat each team gets
1stOne play from the defense’s 5-yard line for 1 point, or from the 10-yard line for 2 points
2ndBoth teams must attempt a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line
3rd and later (from the 3rd overtime)One play from the 5-yard line, going out from the end zone. The team with more yards wins and gets 1 point

An interception in overtime can be returned for a score, and it is worth 2 points.

How this tool works and where the numbers come from

Timing, timeouts, overtime and the early-end margin come from section VI and rule VII of the NFL FLAG playing rules. The card text is filled from the same wording, and you can edit every line for your league.

Sources

Reviewed · Published by FlagPlayLab

Frequently asked questions

How long is one game of flag football?

In NFL FLAG regular season, 48 minutes of playing time in two 24-minute halves plus a 2-minute halftime. Tournament games are two 12-minute halves.

How long is a high school flag football game?

This page covers NFL FLAG rules. High school programs follow their own governing body, so check that rule sheet.

How long is a flag football game for kids?

The NFL FLAG rulebook gives no separate time for younger divisions. Many leagues play shorter games, so check your league schedule.

Is the clock always running?

It is continuous, and it stops for halftime, injuries, team timeouts and at the officials’ discretion.

Does it work on a phone or tablet?

Yes. The layout fits a phone, and you can print or save a PDF from the browser, then keep the sheet in your coaching bag.

Is it free and do I need an account?

Yes, it is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser.

Can I use what I make here commercially?

Yes. Cards and PDFs you make with this tool are yours to print, hand out, sell or put in your own products, with no credit needed. You may not copy the tool or the site itself; see the terms.