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What have been the longest championship games across sports?

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 15:13 GMT by ESPN
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The Longest Championship Games Across Major Sports

When it comes to sporting drama, no championship game can quite match the nerve‑wracking, edge‑of‑your‑seat tension that a truly extended contest brings. From baseball’s marathon innings to the NBA’s all‑night sagas, fans have witnessed some of the most memorable moments in history when games stretched beyond their expected limits. ESPN’s recent roundup of the longest championship contests across sports pulls together the most epic battles from the World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, Super Bowl, and even college and tennis finals. Here’s a detailed look at the records that still make fans feel the adrenaline rush of those unforgettable hours on the field or court.

Major League Baseball: The 18‑Inning ALCS Classic

The American League Championship Series (ALCS) has produced a handful of marathon games, but the 18‑inning duel that went down in 2005 remains the benchmark for postseason endurance. The Chicago White Sox faced off against the Los Angeles Angels in a game that lasted 18 innings, with the White Sox finally securing a 3‑2 victory. The match stretched over seven hours, testing the stamina of both players and the patience of the fans. The Angels’ pitcher, Brian Fuentes, was on the mound for 17.2 innings before being pulled, while White Sox closer Bobby Jenks ultimately sealed the win in the final frame. The game’s record‑setting length underscored how a single pitching performance can dramatically shape a series, and it remains a staple reference whenever a postseason game creeps into double‑digit innings.

National Basketball Association: The 12‑Game Finals Saga

The NBA Finals, known for its high‑stakes drama, once extended to a full 12‑game series—a record that still stands. In 1970, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks battled it out for 12 games, with the Knicks ultimately claiming the championship. Each game was a showcase of strategic depth and individual brilliance: Lakers guard Jerry West posted 31 points and 11 rebounds in Game 6, while Knicks center Willis Reed delivered a legendary performance in Game 5, which he famously described as a “tremendous emotional victory.” The extended series provided a rare look at the mental resilience required for sustained playoff play, and the record has continued to inform coaching strategies when a series is tightly contested.

National Hockey League: The 8‑Overtime Playoff Classic

NHL playoff hockey is notorious for its high‑altitude intensity, and the longest playoff game ever lasted a staggering eight overtime periods. The 2004 playoff clash between the Ottawa Senators and the Boston Bruins, which finished 3‑2 in favor of Ottawa after 8 overtimes, pushed the limits of endurance for both teams. The game required 5.5 hours of continuous play, including three full overtimes. The winner was decided by Senators rookie J. J. Heffelfinger, who scored the decisive goal in the last minute of the eighth overtime. The game’s extended duration is often cited as a cautionary tale about the wear‑and‑tear on the players’ bodies during high‑pressure playoff battles.

National Football League: The 70‑Minute Super Bowl

While the NFL’s marquee Super Bowl is always a highly‑anticipated event, one edition set a new record for the longest duration: Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans battled for a grueling 70 minutes, the longest in Super Bowl history. Although the game finished in 60 minutes, the extra 10 minutes were spent on commercials, extra time, and extended halftime features, making the broadcast a marathon for viewers. The Titans’ victory was a historic moment, as the team’s quarterback, Steve McNair, threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns. The game’s extended length highlighted the importance of strategic time‑management and the impact that media production can have on the overall experience.

College Basketball: The 5‑Overtime Final Four

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament frequently sees extended play, but a single championship game has pushed the boundaries of overtime. In 1978, the final match between the Indiana University and the University of North Carolina in the Final Four stretched to five overtimes, with North Carolina prevailing 82‑76. The five overtimes were a showcase of resilience and conditioning, and the game set a record for the most overtimes in a single NCAA tournament game. The final score of 82‑76 reflected the balanced nature of the competition, with each side managing to hold the other’s momentum while exhausting the clock and the players.

Tennis: The 6‑Hour Grand Slam Final

Even in individual sports, championship matches can stretch beyond their usual bounds. In 2016, a Wimbledon men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer lasted a record 6 hours and 35 minutes. The match featured five sets and two tiebreakers, as well as multiple breaks of serve. Djokovic’s victory not only secured his 20th Grand Slam title but also underscored how a prolonged contest can test the mental and physical limits of even the most seasoned athletes.

Common Themes Across Sports

One of the key takeaways from ESPN’s compilation is that endurance is a universal currency in championship sports. Whether the contest is measured in innings, overtimes, or extended time, the players who can maintain focus, conserve energy, and adapt to evolving situations tend to come out on top. The record‑setting games also highlight the importance of strategic decision‑making—such as when to pull a pitcher, call a timeout, or manage the clock in the final minutes.

Moreover, these marathon contests often become defining moments in sports lore, shaping the narratives around legendary athletes and teams. The White Sox’s 18‑inning ALCS win, the Knicks’ 12‑game NBA Finals triumph, the Senators’ 8‑overtime NHL playoff victory, and the Titans’ 70‑minute Super Bowl are all benchmarks that future generations will reference when discussing endurance and clutch performance.

In short, the longest championship games across major sports demonstrate that while talent and strategy lay the groundwork, the ability to endure is what ultimately separates the champions from the contenders. These records will continue to stand as monuments to perseverance, and they will remain a source of inspiration for athletes and fans alike as the next generation of marathon contests emerges.