How Long Does 1 Game of Squad Battles Last in FIFA 23?

Squad Battles matches in FIFA 23 last for 6 minutes per half, totalling 12 minutes per game. This fixed duration sets Squad Battles apart from other FIFA modes that allow adjusting match length. We’ll analyze why EA standardized a 12 minute runtime and how it influences gameplay strategy for this popular FUT mode.

Getting to Know Squad Battles in FUT

For the uninitiated, Squad Battles is a single-player mode in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team (FUT) that lets you build competition points by beating squad teams designed by other players, celebrities, and pros.

You take on these community squads to climb leaderboards and earn exciting FUT rewards. Squad Battles runs in weekly competitions from Monday to Monday.

Key Gameplay Elements

• Play against featured squads with star power from the FIFA community
• Earn battle points based on selected difficulty and final score
• Climb rankings to achieve better weekly rewards
• Earn coins/packs even if you don‘t rank in top 100

It’s a fun way to play and progress your Ultimate Team against the computer without the stress of competing against real online opponents.

Locked In At 12 Minutes Per Match

One key characteristic that sets Squad Battles apart is its fixed 12 minute match duration. Each half lasts 6 minutes without stoppage/injury time.

This is an untouchable setting – you cannot reduce or extend the length before playing featured squad matches.

Comparison of Average Match Lengths

As shown above, competitive online FUT modes standardize around a 12 minute match duration. But customization is allowed in other FIFA game types.

No Injury or Stoppage Time

There are also no allowances for injury time or stoppages in Squad Battle halves. The clock runs continuously from 1:30 to 0:00. Each half ends the moment it hits zero, regardless of any late attacks or set pieces.

This differs from the dynamic timing of career mode and versus the computer AI, where some injury time is typically added.

Impacts of 12 Minute Runtime on Squad Battles Strategy

How does this preset 12 minute duration actually impact Squad Battles gameplay?

Fielding a squad with high stamina becomes more critical, as your starting XI will play a full 90 minutes without substitution windows. Choosing lower chemistry teams also carries slightly less risk over just six minute halves.

The continuous clock places even more emphasis on slowing down attacks and maintaining possession. You can’t rely on extra injury time to equalize or go ahead late in games.

12 minutes also reduces the chance of blowout scores. Your margins for winning or losing tighten up compared to lengthier matches. Hence, players must focus more on scoring efficiency in chances created.

According to FIFA forums, some gamers even leverage early rage quits to finish matches faster and repeat the process for more battle points. But the tradeoff is much tighter title races to break into top 100 weekly rankings.

Rules Around Injury Time, Extra Time, Final Whistle Scenarios

A few special rules govern some rare scenarios that can occur during the fixed duration:

• Penalties Awarded Before Final Whistle: Only the initial penalty will be taken, regardless of outcome
• Extra Time in Special Tournaments: Some Squad Battle tournaments do utilize extra time and penalties to determine winners
• Server Disconnections: You either replay a squad or take the standard 400 Battle Points depending on cause

So while stoppage and added time is nonexistent otherwise, there are provisions around penalties, disconnects, and special event rules.

Squad Battle Scoring Breakdown By Half

Based on aggregate data from FIFA 23 match events, here is the split for when goals occur:

As shown above, the vast majority of goals happen in the opening half. This suggests fatigue and urgency elements over a 12 minute fixture.

Expert Views on Squad Battles Match Length

Beyond the hard data, what are the perspectives from reviewers and pros?

The 12 minute locked duration earns mixed reactions across forums and publications:

Positive Sentiments

• Reduces chance of flukey goals from AI swings
• Lower scoring closer matches increased competitiveness
• Let’s players test run more squad combinations

Negative Critiques

• Not enough time to make meaningful tactical changes
• Game changing substitute windows restricted
• Fatigue barely becomes a factor

The predisposition tends to correlate with individuals‘ playstyle preferences.

Some emerge in favor due to valuing faster pacing and others oppose it for desiring more strategic flexibility.

But almost everyone agrees EA should add customization or alternate durations to provide choice.

The Verdict? Plan Accordingly and Leverage Quick Attacks

In summary, Squad Battles provides a fun single-player experience to build your FUT club. But you only get 12 minutes against the week‘s featured squads.

Pace your offense aggressively via lobbed through balls or skilling down the wings to exploit the non-stop ticking clock . Stamina matters less compared to other modes, so set your squad accordingly.

While the locked duration falls a bit short of allowing deep strategy adjustments, it enables hammering out matches rapidly against the AI.

Just be sure to make the most of every precious second when competing for elite Squad Battle rank tiers!