Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a common orthopaedic procedure often sustained during sports-related trauma. Many patients desire to return to play (RTP) following surgery, and modern advances in rehabilitation and surgical techniques aim to facilitate this. Preoperative rehabilitation and postoperative accelerated rehabilitations programs have both demonstrated positive outcomes in facilitating RTP following ACLR. Many preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors influence time to RTP and rate of re-injury, including patient demongraphics, graft choice, and postoperative rehabilitation program. To maximize safe RTP, these factors need to be considered. Work is underway to develop objective guidelines for the time to RTP, and current research suggests that a combination of kinematic, neuromuscular, and psychological factors need to be considered.