Riot Games’ VALORANT offers eight game modes to cater to all types of Agents, from those who want to push their skills to the limit in highly competitive environments to the casual player who just wants to click heads. Knowing how long a match will last is important for many gamers, because hey, time is limited.
Let’s discuss the average length of a VALORANT match in each game mode so you can schedule your valuable gaming time accordingly.
Check out the latest VALORANT odds!
So How Long Is A VALORANT Game?
Unrated
Unrated follows the staple 5v5 Plant/Defuse format. It’s a best-of-25 rounds affair, with the first team to reach 13 rounds crowned the victor. Teams switch sides (Attack/Defense) halfway through. If teams tie 12-12 after the 24th round of play, they’ll compete in an “Endgame Round” determining the winner.
Each round lasts 100 seconds, and the timer resets to 45 seconds if the attacking team plants the Spike. Players have 30 seconds before each round starts to purchase items and get into positions.
In Unrated, match duration is based on the number of Spike plants on a map and the skill level of each team. On average, an Unrated match lasts roughly 30-35 minutes.
We recommend using Unrated to practice and increase your knowledge of maps, Agents, and game mechanics before jumping into Competitive.
Competitive
Competitive is played on Plant/Defuse maps and follows the same rules as Unrated. The big difference is that players gain or lose Rank Rating (RR) once the match ends. A Competitive match generally lasts 35-40 minutes, and 40-50 minutes when it goes into overtime.
In overtime, teams play two rounds. Each team gets one round on the Attack and one on the Defense. Teams play another two overtime rounds if the first ends in a draw. The first team to win both rounds in overtime wins the match. Players can also vote every two rounds to decide whether overtime should continue. The game can end in a draw if enough players vote to stop the overtime process.
We recommend using Competitive as a stepping stone to Premier. With the same rules, including overtime, this is the perfect mode to practice your team’s communication and tactics.
Want to dominate the competition? Head over to our VALORANT Pro Settings guide to maximize your performance.
Premier
In VALORANT’s Premier mode, you must form a team of five to seven players and then register to compete on a regional leaderboard. It’s the pinnacle of competition outside of esports tournaments.
This game mode follows Competitive rules, with one addition: each team can call two tactical timeouts. These tactical timeouts last 60 seconds each, allowing teams to discuss strategies while play is paused. If overtime is required, each team gets one additional timeout.
With the addition of tactical timeouts, Premier matches last, on average, a bit longer than Competitive ones. A Premier match is typically 37-42 minutes long, or 42-52 minutes if it goes into overtime.
To win in Premier, you should create a team of trusted, dedicated players and stick together, learning each others’ strengths and weaknesses and practicing tactics weekly.
Swiftplay
Swiftplay features the same maps and Plant/Defuse gameplay as Unrated, but it stays true to its name with a much shorter duration due to a simplified economy and reduced number of rounds.
Swiftplay is a best-of-nine game mode, with the first team to score five rounds declared the winner. Teams still switch sides halfway through, but there are no credit bonuses for loss streaks, and players start each half with two Ultimate Points.
An average Swiftplay match lasts between 10 to 15 minutes.
Spike Rush
Following a Plant/Defuse 5v5 format, Spike Rush is a faster-paced alternative to Swiftplay and Unrated. The victor is the first team to win four rounds, and teams switch sides at three rounds. The pre-round planning/buying phase is 20 seconds instead of 30 seconds, and round time is reduced from 100 to 80 seconds.
In Spike Rush, players have randomized weapon loadouts and can collect power-up orbs that provide buffs or inflict debuffs on the enemy team. An average match of Spike Rush lasts 8 to 12 minutes.
Deathmatch
Deathmatch is the free-for-all VALORANT game mode with 12 players. The match ends when someone reaches 40 kills or 10 minutes have passed. There is no economy, abilities, or rounds to worry about. Enjoy the fast-paced mode, pick your favorite weapons, and click heads to your heart’s content on small maps.
The match length depends on how evenly the top players are in terms of skill. On average, Deathmatch in VALORANT lasts 8-10 minutes.
Team Deathmatch
This game mode pits two teams of five players against each other on a unique set of maps (District, Kasbah, Piazza, and Drift). Teams unlock increasingly powerful loadouts as they play, with Agent abilities fully active.
There’s no economy or rounds to slow down the experience, and players respawn quickly after death. The first team to score a combined 100 kills wins the match. If neither team hits 100 kills before the 10-minute timer runs out, the team with the most kills wins. An average Team Deathmatch game lasts 8-10 minutes.
Playing Deathmatch or Team Deathmatch is a way to just have fun and unwind from the intense Competitive or Premier action. You can also use these modes to practice your aiming skills or test the best DPI and sensitivity settings.
Escalation
Escalation is Riot Games’ version of “gun game,” featuring a 5v5 format. The teams must go through 12 levels by killing enough enemies. Each Escalation level has a specific weapon that participants must use. Players need to get one kill with each weapon to advance to the next level.
On average, Escalation is the quickest game mode, lasting 7 to 9 minutes per match. There is a 10-minute timer, and if neither team completes all 12 levels, the team with the most progress wins.
External Factors That Can Impact Match Length
Server or individual player technical issues can result in longer-than-average VALORANT matches. For example, teams may take longer to close a round if a server is laggy. Teams may also have to surrender if a player’s gaming device crashes, shortening the match time. Alternatively, they may fight in a 4v5 situation, which could either increase or decrease round times.
It’s also true that many players periodically experience an off day, performing worse than usual. This allows the enemy team to win rounds faster and end with a crushing score, such as a 13-3 win. The opposite applies, too, where players may perform much better than usual and dominate the competition.
All that being said, it’s worth noting that VALORANT’s matchmaking system isn’t perfect either. In rare instances when one team is much better than the other, the matches end more quickly.
Why Match Length Matters for Esports Betting
Understanding VALORANT match lengths is key for esports bettors looking to time their wagers effectively. Competitive and Premier matches, often featured in esports events, range from 35-50 minutes, including overtime.
These longer formats provide ample time for strategic plays and potential comebacks, which makes live betting that much more exciting! Shorter modes like Swiftplay, Spike Rush, and Escalation (7-15 minutes) are less common in professional play, but they still make for very entertaining streams.
Knowing game modes and their average lengths will help you stay better informed the next time you visit our VALORANT betting page.
Always practice Responsible Gambling and check out our latest promo offers and boosts. T&Cs apply. 18+ to play.