MLB’s average game time for the 2026 season is two hours and 44 minutes, indicating that games have not lasted as long since the introduction of the pitch clock.
Average Game Time in MLB
During the 2026 regular season, MLB’s average game time was two hours and 44 minutes. It marked the fourth straight season of MLB’s average game time being under three hours.
| Year | Average Game Time |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2:44 |
| 2025 | 2:40 |
| 2024 | 2:38 |
| 2023 | 2:42 |
| 2022 | 3:06 |
| 2021 | 3:11 |
| 2020 | 3:06 |
| 2019 | 3:10 |
| 2018 | 3:04 |
| 2017 | 3:08 |
| 2016 | 3:04 |
| 2015 | 3:00 |
| 2014 | 3:07 |
| 2013 | 3:04 |
| 2012 | 3:00 |
| 2011 | 2:56 |
| 2010 | 2:54 |
| 2009 | 2:55 |
| 2008 | 2:55 |
| 2007 | 2:55 |
| 2006 | 2:51 |
| 2005 | 2:49 |
| 2004 | 2:51 |
| 2003 | 2:49 |
| 2002 | 2:56 |
| 2001 | 2:58 |
| 2000 | 3:01 |
| 1999 | 2:57 |
| 1998 | 2:52 |
| 1997 | 2:56 |
| 1996 | 2:55 |
| 1995 | 2:54 |
| 1994 | 2:57 |
| 1993 | 2:52 |
| 1992 | 2:54 |
| 1991 | 2:54 |
| 1990 | 2:51 |
When Was the Pitch Clock Introduced?
MLB introduced the pitch clock at the start of the 2023 season, when the average game time dropped to two hours and 42 minutes after being over three hours in 2022.
Before the introduction of the pitch clock, MLB’s average game time hadn’t been below three hours since 2011 (two hours and 56 minutes).
Which Year had the Longest Average Game Time in MLB?
The 2021 season featured the longest average game time in MLB, lasting three hours and 11 minutes.
Which Year had the Shortest Average Game Time in MLB?
The 1905 season still holds the record for shortest average game time in MLB, with contests being completed in one hour and 47 minutes.
Longest Game in MLB History
The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox played in the longest game in MLB history, with their 25-inning battle lasting eight hours and six minutes on May 8, 1984. The White Sox prevailed for a 7-6 victory.
Shortest Game in MLB History
The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants played in the shortest game in MLB history, needing just 51 minutes to complete nine innings on Sept. 28, 1919. The Giants earned a 6-1 win over the Phillies.
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