What Year Did Super Bowl Start? 1967 Explained

By Sarah Miller · May 22, 2049

The Super Bowl started in 1967. The first game, known as Super Bowl I, was played on January 15, 1967, between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

History of the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL) and marks the culmination of each NFL season. It originated from the merger agreement between the NFL and its rival league, the American Football League (AFL), in 1966.

Why Was the Super Bowl Created?

To unify the two competing professional football leagues: NFL and AFL.
To determine a true national champion through a championship game.
To increase television ratings and public interest in professional football.
To solidify the merger that officially took full effect in 1970.

Evolution of the Super Bowl

What began as a single interleague game has evolved into one of the most-watched annual sporting events globally. Over time, the Super Bowl has grown beyond sports, becoming a cultural phenomenon featuring major halftime shows, high-profile commercials, and global media coverage.

Key Milestones in Super Bowl History

1967: First Super Bowl (then called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game).
1970: Merger completed; leagues became the AFC and NFC conferences.
1980s–1990s: Rise in commercialization and entertainment value.
2000s–Present: Global streaming, international fanbase, and record-breaking viewership.

Super Bowl	Date	Winner	Score	Venue	Average Viewers (Millions)
I	Jan 15, 1967	Green Bay Packers	35–10	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	51.2
X	Jan 18, 1976	Pittsburgh Steelers	21–17	Orange Bowl	65.1
XX	Jan 26, 1986	Chicago Bears	46–10	Soldier Field	71.4
XXX	Jan 28, 1996	Dallas Cowboys	27–17	Sun Devil Stadium	80.3
LI	Feb 5, 2017	New England Patriots	34–28 (OT)	NRG Stadium	111.3
LVIII	Feb 11, 2024	Kansas City Chiefs	25–22	Allegiant Stadium	123.7

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a steady increase in viewership since the first Super Bowl in 1967, reflecting the event's growing popularity. While early games drew over 50 million viewers, recent editions have surpassed 120 million, making it the most-watched U.S. television event almost every year. The combination of competitive games, star athletes, and entertainment has driven this long-term growth.

About the Name "Super Bowl"

The term "Super Bowl" was not originally official. It was coined by Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, who reportedly heard his children playing with a "Super Ball" toy and jokingly referred to the championship as the "Super Bowl." Despite initial resistance, the name stuck and became official with Super Bowl III.

FAQ About When the Super Bowl Started

When did the first Super Bowl take place?

The first Super Bowl took place on January 15, 1967. It featured the Green Bay Packers (NFL) defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) 35–10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Why was the first Super Bowl held in 1967?

The first Super Bowl was held in 1967 as part of the merger agreement between the NFL and AFL to determine a unified champion. Though the leagues agreed to merge in 1966, the championship game began in January 1967 to conclude the 1966 season.

Was it always called the Super Bowl?

No, the first two games were officially called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The name "Super Bowl" became widely used by fans and media and was officially adopted starting with Super Bowl III in 1969.

How has the Super Bowl changed since 1967?

Since 1967, the Super Bowl has evolved from a simple championship game into a massive cultural event. It now includes elaborate halftime shows, multimillion-dollar commercials, global streaming, and widespread fan engagement across digital platforms.

Which teams played in the first Super Bowl?

The first Super Bowl featured the Green Bay Packers of the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL. The Packers won the game 35–10 under the leadership of legendary coach Vince Lombardi.