Are you in doubt? How Long Does A Hockey Game Last? Hockey games usually last 2.5 to 3 hours, or three 20-minute periods and intermissions. But the real length of the game can be shorter (if the game gets played quickly, doesn’t have many stoppages) or longer, if overtime is needed. Games that go over will often be 3-4 hours in length or more. The typical length of time for an NHL game is around 2:45, regardless of the teams playing, and depending on the game, it can be closer to 3 hours.