Rugby / Law 05
Playing time
World Rugby · 2026In short
Match duration, stoppages and why play can continue after time expires.
Duration and timekeeping
A standard match lasts up to 80 minutes, divided into halves of up to 40 minutes plus time lost. Half-time is no longer than 15 minutes. Organisers may authorise extra-time in drawn knockout matches or shorter non-international matches. The referee keeps time or delegates timekeeping and may stop play for injury or consultation.
When a half ends
Time expiring does not itself end play: the ball must become dead. Exceptions keep the half alive for an outstanding scrum, lineout or qualifying restart awarded before expiry, a penalty or free-kick, a penalty kicked directly into touch under the stated conditions, or a conversion after a try. The referee may suspend or end an unsafe match.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied World Rugby Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026. Under-19, sevens, tens and Game-on variations are explained separately. Elite-only exceptions are labelled; these are not Rugby League rules. References use physical PDF pages, 2 above printed page numbers.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗