MLB nine-inning games average 2:42 after ABS challenge system debut
7 sourcesUpdated Sep 29, 2026
Major League Baseball announced Monday that the average nine-inning game lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes this season, up 3 minutes and 43 seconds from last year. The league attributed 61 seconds of that increase to the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, which allows batters, catchers and pitchers to appeal ball-and-strike calls for computer review. Games remain substantially shorter than before recent pace rules. The average was 3:04 in 2022, dropped to 2:40 in 2023 after the pitch clock was instituted, reached 2:36 in 2024—the lowest since 1984—and stood at 2:38 in 2025. The average first passed three hours in 2016 and set a record of 3:10 in 2021; PitchCom helped bring the 2022 figure down to 3:04. Contested: no factual disputes found. Left-leaning outlets foregrounded robot umpires making games a little longer while noting praise for ABS and the still-sub-three-hour pace. The right-leaning outlet led on the 3:43 rise after ABS debut. All sides report the same MLB numbers.
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Center· 2 sources
“MLB game times rise after robot umpires debut”Right· 1 source
Still glad overall times are under control thanks to the pitch clock keeping things moving.
The extra minute from ABS challenges is worth it if it cuts down on obvious missed calls.
