How Is the Home Team Determined in the Super Bowl?

By Sarah Miller · April 3, 2027

The home team for the Super Bowl is determined by a rotating schedule between the AFC and NFC champions, not by where the game is played. Since the Super Bowl is held at a neutral site, the “home” designation alternates each year to decide which team wears their home jerseys and has the choice of locker rooms.

How the Super Bowl Home Team Is Determined

Despite being one of the most-watched sporting events globally, many fans are unclear about how the Super Bowl's “home team” is selected. Unlike regular-season games, the Super Bowl does not have a true home team based on location. Instead, the title of “home team” is assigned based on a predetermined rotation between the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC).

This designation impacts jersey choices and locker room assignments but does not affect competitive advantage, as the venue is always a neutral site.

Key Points About Super Bowl Home Team Designation

The home team alternates annually between the AFC and NFC conference champions.
The “home” team chooses whether to wear their home or away uniforms.
The designated home team selects the preferred locker room at the stadium.
The hosting city is selected years in advance through an NFL bidding process.
Neutral-site venues ensure neither team has a geographical advantage.

Historical Rotation of Super Bowl Home Teams

The NFL uses a simple alternating system to maintain fairness between the two conferences. This rotation has been consistently applied since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The pattern ensures long-term equity in uniform and logistical decisions.

Super Bowl	Date	Home Team Conference	Host City	Stadium
LVIII	February 11, 2024	AFC	Las Vegas, NV	Allegiant Stadium
LIX	February 9, 2025	NFC	New Orleans, LA	Caesars Superdome
LX	February 8, 2026	AFC	Santa Clara, CA	Levi's Stadium
LXI	February 7, 2027	NFC	Glendale, AZ	State Farm Stadium
LXII	February 6, 2028	AFC	New Orleans, LA	Caesars Superdome

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a clear alternating pattern between AFC and NFC as the designated home conference. Starting with Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 (AFC), the designation shifts to NFC in 2025 and continues alternating every year. This ensures equal representation and decision-making power over time.

Why the Designation Matters

Although the Super Bowl is played at a neutral venue, the home team label carries practical significance:

Jersey Selection

The designated home team may choose to wear their traditional home jerseys, while the other team must wear their away (typically white) uniforms. This allows branding consistency and fan alignment.

Locker Room Preference

The home team gets first pick of locker rooms, training facilities, and practice schedules during Super Bowl week. These logistical advantages can influence preparation comfort.

No Competitive Field Advantage

Unlike regular-season games, no team gains a crowd or altitude advantage. The NFL prioritizes fairness by selecting warm-weather or domed stadiums with minimal environmental impact.

Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl Home Team Selection

Does the Super Bowl have a real home team?

No, the Super Bowl does not have a true home team in terms of location. However, one team is designated as the “home team” based on a rotating conference schedule to determine jersey and locker room choices.

Which conference will be the home team in Super Bowl LIX?

The NFC champion will be the designated home team for Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, giving them priority in uniform selection and locker room assignment.

How often does the home team designation alternate?

The home team designation alternates every year between the AFC and NFC champions. For example, if the AFC was home in one year, the NFC will be home the next.

Can the home team wear their colored jerseys?

Yes, the designated home team can choose to wear their colored home jerseys. The visiting team must then wear white jerseys, following standard NFL rules.

Is the Super Bowl ever played at a team's actual home stadium?

Rarely, but it has happened. For example, Super Bowl LV was held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, home of the Buccaneers. However, due to pandemic restrictions, no fans were present, minimizing home-field advantage. The NFL generally avoids this scenario to preserve neutrality.