How Many Super Bowls Have Gone Into Overtime?

By Sarah Miller · January 7, 2045

Five Super Bowls in NFL history have gone into overtime, with the most recent occurring at Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. These high-stakes games highlight the evolution of overtime rules and the intense competitiveness of the league's championship.

Understanding Super Bowl Overtime: A Brief Overview

The NFL's championship game has seen dramatic finishes, but only a handful have extended beyond regulation time. Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, just five matchups have required overtime, underscoring both the rarity and significance of these moments.

What Makes a Super Bowl Go Into Overtime?

The game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter.
Overtime rules apply immediately, regardless of possession or score.
Starting with Super Bowl XLVII (2013), modified sudden-death rules ensure both teams get a possession unless the first team scores a touchdown.
If no winner is determined in the initial 10-minute overtime period, additional periods follow until a winner is decided.

Historical Super Bowls That Went to Overtime

Below is a complete list of all Super Bowls that entered overtime, including key details such as date, teams, final score, and decisive plays.

Super Bowl	Date	Teams	Final Score	Overtime Winner	Deciding Play
LIII	February 3, 2019	New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams	13–3	New England Patriots	Touchdown drive after winning coin toss
LVI	February 13, 2022	Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals	23–20	Los Angeles Rams	Cooper Kupp TD reception
LVIII	February 11, 2024	Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers	25–22	Kansas City Chiefs	Harrison Butker game-winning field goal

Table data source:1, 2

The table above shows three confirmed Super Bowls that went into overtime under the current NFL playoff overtime rules. Prior to 2017, regular-season and postseason rules differed; however, since then, both use the same format ensuring fairness. The increasing competitiveness of recent Super Bowls is evident, with multiple close contests reaching extra time.

Evolution of NFL Overtime Rules in the Super Bowl

The NFL introduced modified sudden-death rules for playoff games starting in 2010, later extending them to the regular season in 2012. These changes were crucial in shaping how Super Bowls are decided when tied.

Key Changes in Overtime Format

Pre-2010: True sudden death — first team to score wins.
2010–Present (Playoffs): Both teams guaranteed a possession unless the first team scores a touchdown on their opening drive.
Field Goals: If the first team kicks a field goal, the second team gets a chance to respond.
No Time Expired: Games continue with 10-minute quarters until a winner is determined.

Impact of Overtime on Super Bowl Strategy

Coaches must adjust game plans knowing that one turnover or missed kick can shift momentum dramatically in overtime. Teams now prioritize ball control, clock management, and defensive stops late in regulation to avoid giving opponents an advantage in OT.

Winning the coin toss remains strategically important, though not automatically decisive.
Defensive units are expected to hold firm even after long stretches in the game.
Quarterbacks face immense pressure to lead efficient drives without mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl Overtime

How many Super Bowls have gone into overtime?

As of 2025, three Super Bowls have officially gone into overtime: Super Bowl LIII (2019), Super Bowl LVI (2022), and Super Bowl LVIII (2024). Earlier reports sometimes cite more, but official NFL records confirm only these three under modern rules.

When was the first Super Bowl to go into overtime?

The first Super Bowl to go into overtime was Super Bowl LIII on February 3, 2019, when the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 after a dominant defensive performance and a late touchdown drive in OT.

Does the Super Bowl use sudden death overtime?

No, the Super Bowl does not use traditional sudden death. It uses modified sudden-death rules: if the first team scores a field goal, the other team gets a possession. Only a safety or touchdown ends the game immediately on the first possession.

Can a Super Bowl end in a tie?

No, a Super Bowl cannot end in a tie. Unlike regular-season games, which can end in a draw after one overtime period, the Super Bowl continues with additional 10-minute periods until a winner is determined.

What happens if no one scores in Super Bowl overtime?

If neither team scores during the initial 10-minute overtime period, the game continues with additional full overtime periods until a winner is decided. There is no limit to the number of overtimes played.