Every year, millions of fans around the globe eagerly tune in to watch the Super Bowl - the ultimate showdown of National Football League’s(NFL) champions. It is one of the most awaited and most-watched sporting events globally.
With the thrilling touchdowns to unforgettable half-time shows, the Super Bowl never fails to keep their audiences on the edge of their seats from kickoff to the final whistle.
Though the kickoff time is widely known, one common question that often comes up: What time does the Super Bowl actually end?
The answer is not straightforward as you might assume. Because unlike a typical football game, the Super Bowl includes extended halftime shows, extra-long commercial breaks, and sometimes even overtime - all such factors that can stretch the event beyond the scheduled start time.
Super Bowl TV coverage usually ends between 10:00 and 10:30 PM Eastern Time, considering the factors like halftime, commercials, and post game analysis.
Through this blog, we will break down the typical game duration, factors that influence the ending time, and certain tips to help you plan your Super Bowl Sunday perfectly.
The Official start time: When does the Super Bowl Kick off?
Before we get to the end time, let’s first review when the Super Bowl actually starts.
1. Typical Kickoff time:
The Super Bowl match is held on the first Sunday in the month of February. The match usually kicks off between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM Eastern Time(ET). Such timing is decided to capture the maximum prime time TV viewership across the United States.
For example:
Super Bowl LIX kicked in 2025 off at 6:30 PM Eastern time.
Super Bowl LIX 2025: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs
How long does a Super Bowl Usually Last?
While the actual duration of Super Bowl can differ each year, here are some common time frames to consider:
1. Regulation game time:
The Super Bowl match has regulation game time divided into four quarters. Each quarter is played for 15 minutes each, summing up a total of 60 minutes of gameplay.
2. Actual close time:
The actual close time for the Super Bowl match is not constant and may vary as the clock is frequently stopped for timeouts, penalties, incomplete passes, reviews, etc., so the overall game duration exceeds 60 minutes.
3. Typical game duration:
Due to extended commercial breaks and additional festivities, the Super Bowl match can extend a little longer than the usual NFL games that lasts for about 3 hours.
Key Factors that Influence the End time:
1. Half-Time Show Length:
The halftime show of the Super Bowl is iconic. Every year it features world-famous top musicians and elaborate performances. Even though a regular NFL halftime lasts for 12-15 minutes, the Super Bowl halftime is often longer.
Typical half time show length: 20 to 30 minutes.
The 2025 Super Bowl halftime show with Kendrick Lamar lasted approximately 13 minutes long.
Such added entertainment slot significantly increases the overall duration of the event
2. Commercial Breaks and Timeouts:
Advertisers pay millions for even a few seconds for telecasting during the Super Bowl game.
So, expect longer and more frequent commercial breaks than usual.
Teams can also call timeouts, temporarily stopping the game clock and exceeding the overall game time. Such reasons all add to the overall broadcast time.
3. Overtime Possibility:
After the regulation time duration, if the scores of both the teams are tied, then the game further continues into overtime to decide a winner.
Playing overtime adds an unpredictable amount of extra time of 10-15 minutes or even more depending on the scoring.
4. Instant Replay Reviews:
Coaches may sometimes challenge the calls made by the teams on the fields.
Then, the referees may check video reviews to either confirm or overturn decisions. Such short pauses between the match can further delay the game by several minutes.
How do time zones affect the start and end times of the Super Bowl for viewers in different locations?
The Super Bowl kick off is set as per Eastern time, so viewers across the United States and internationally experience the game at different local times.
Here is how the Superbowl’s kickoff timing across the United State zones:
1. Eastern Time Kick off time : starts at 6:30 PM and ends between 10:00 - 10:30 PM.
2. Central Time Kick off time: starts at 5:30 PM and ends between 9:00 - 9:30 PM.
3. Mountain Time Kick off time: starts at 4:30 PM and ends between 8:00 - 8:30 PM.
4. Pacific Time Kick off time: starts at 3:30 PM and ends between 7:00 - 7:30 PM.
As the kickoff time is based on Eastern Time, audiences on the West Coast can watch the game start and finish earlier, giving them more flexibility with their evening plans.
Why the End time matters: Planning your Super Bowl Sunday
Knowing the Super Bowl’s end time helps to plan your post-game activities.
1. It helps to avoid missing the thrilling final moments especially if you have a strict bedtime.
2. Manage the watch time and expectations - especially if you are watching with kids or have other commitments.
What Happens after the Final whistle?
Once the game officially ends, there are several factors that add some more time before the broadcast fully finishes.
1. Post game awards : Most Valuable Player(MVP) announcements and trophy presentations.
2. Interviews : with players and coaches.
Recaps: highlight reels and analyst breakdowns.
3.On the basis of network and coverage, it can easily add more than 10 to 30 minutes.
How have past super Bowls varied in length?
The duration of the Super Bowl can differ significantly each year due to many factors, that includes halftime show duration, overtime, and commercial breaks.
For Example:
Super Bowl LVll (2023):
Kick off time: 6:30 PM Eastern Time
Actual End time: 10:20 PM Eastern Time
Total duration: 3 hours 50 minutes
Exceeded match duration reason: extended halftime shows and commercials.
So, What time does the Super Bowl end?
Are you wondering about what time the Super Bowl ends? Though the official NFL Super Bowl game lasts about 60 minutes of playtime, the entire event usually spans about three to four hours.
From extended halftime shows, possible overtime to extra-commercial breaks all adds length to the duration of the game. Generally, the broadcast wraps up between 10:00 and 10:30 Eastern time.
If you are planning your evening around this timeframe will help you to not miss any exciting moment - from final touchdown to MVP announcement.
So, what part of the Super Bowl are you most excited for? The game, halftime, or commercials? Share your thoughts with us while you get ready for game day!
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