Why Do We Call It the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is an enormously popular sporting event that takes place each year to determine the National Football League (NFL) champion. Millions of fans gather around televisions on a Sunday in January or February to celebrate this de facto national holiday. Broadcast in more than 170 countries, the Super Bowl is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, with elaborate halftime shows and new commercials adding to the appeal. The 2026 Super Bowl LX will take place in Santa Clara, California between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

History of the Super Bowl (NFL Championship Game)

Though the NFL officially formed in 1920, the Super Bowl wasn't played until more than 40 years later.

In 1960, a group of businessmen who wanted to own football franchises—but were denied by the NFL—launched an alternative league, known as the American Football League (AFL).

For several years, the NFL and AFL were rivals, competing for fans, players and support. Then, in 1966, owners negotiated an agreement to merge the leagues by 1970.

The first Super Bowl, which featured the AFL (Kansas City Chiefs) and NFL champion (Green Bay Packers), was played on January 15, 1967. The game was originally called the “AFL-NFL World Championship Game.” Later, Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt proposed using the term “Super Bowl” to refer to the championship game.

After the leagues merged, the NFL split into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The champions of each play in the Super Bowl.

The First Super Bowl (Super Bowl I)

In Super Bowl I, the NFL champion Green Bay Packers defeated the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10, on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Although ticket prices averaged $12, the game was not a sellout—the only non-sellout in the game's history. The game drew 61,000 fans and was televised by CBS and NBC.

The next year, the Packers decisively won Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders, 33-14. Many questioned whether the AFL champion could beat the NFL's best.

Joe Namath's Guarantee in Super Bowl III

In Super Bowl III on January 12, 1969, the AFL champion New York Jets, a 17.5-point underdog, beat the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, 16-7—a result considered one of the sport's greatest upsets. It was the first Super Bowl win for the upstart American Football League.

The Jets were led by brash quarterback Joe Namath, who had guaranteed a New York win. The Colts, coached by Don Shula, finished the regular season 13-1 and beat the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in the NFL playoffs. Against the Jets, though, Baltimore didn't score until the fourth quarter.

As he left the field that afternoon at the Orange Bowl in Miami, "Broadway Joe" Namath pointed his index finger in the air—one of the more famous scenes in sports history.

The Super Bowl grew in popularity after the AFL-NFL merger.

Super Bowl: 1970s-Present

During the 1970s, three teams—the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys—dominated the NFL, winning a combined eight Super Bowls in 10 years.

Franchises from the NFC won 16 of the 20 Super Bowls played in the 1980s and 1990s. The San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders ) and New York Giants stood out during these years.

The Cowboys resurged in the 1990s, and the Buffalo Bills became a powerhouse franchise, although they never won a Super Bowl, losing four title games in a row from 1991-1994.

The AFC bounced back after the Bills' run of losses. From 1995-2016, the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts represented the conference in 20 of the 22 AFC Super Bowl appearances.

The Patriots established themselves as a dynasty beginning in the 2001 season, with quarterback Tom Brady leading them to nine Super Bowl appearances and six wins.

Super Bowl LX will be played at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Throughout Super Bowl Week, enjoy events such as Opening Night and Super Bowl Experience with immersive experiences for fans of all ages. 

An official Super Bowl LX ticket, open bar and tailgate inspired menu, NFL Legend Appearances, and live musical entertainment package starts at $4,250.00 per person. 

What team are you in favor of this year? New England Patriots or the Seattle Seahawks