When Was the First Super Bowl Played? | Key Facts & History

By Sarah Miller · July 22, 2051

The first Super Bowl game was played on January 15, 1967. Officially known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game at the time, it featured the Green Bay Packers of the NFL defeating the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL by a score of 35–10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

What Was the First Super Bowl?

The inaugural Super Bowl, retroactively named Super Bowl I, marked the first championship game between the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL). This historic game symbolized the culmination of a merger agreement between the two rival leagues and laid the foundation for what would become the biggest annual sporting event in the United States.

Key Facts About Super Bowl I

Date: January 15, 1967
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Teams: Green Bay Packers (NFL) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (AFL)
Final Score: Packers 35, Chiefs 10
MVP: Bart Starr, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers
Attendance: 61,946
Halftime Show: University of Arizona and University of Southern California marching bands

Why Was the First Super Bowl Created?

Prior to 1967, the NFL and AFL operated as competing professional football leagues. To end the bidding wars for players and stabilize the sport, the two leagues agreed to merge in 1966. As part of the merger agreement, they established an annual championship game between the winners of each league.

Objectives of the First Super Bowl

Demonstrate the legitimacy of the AFL against the more established NFL
Unify professional American football under a single national spotlight
Generate widespread media attention and fan interest
Test the viability of a joint championship before full merger completion in 1970

How Did the Teams Qualify?

The Green Bay Packers earned their spot by winning the 1966 NFL Championship, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 34–27. The Kansas City Chiefs qualified by defeating the Buffalo Bills 31–7 in the AFL Championship game.

Path to Super Bowl I

Team	League	Championship Win	Opponent	Score
Green Bay Packers	NFL	1966 NFL Championship	Dallas Cowboys	34–27
Kansas City Chiefs	AFL	1966 AFL Championship	Buffalo Bills	31–7

Game Highlights and Key Moments

Despite skepticism about the AFL's competitiveness, the Packers dominated from the start. Bart Starr threw two touchdown passes, and Max McGee—unexpectedly starting after a late-night celebration—caught two TDs, including the first touchdown in Super Bowl history.

Notable Performances

Bart Starr: 16/23 passing, 250 yards, 2 TDs
Max McGee: 7 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TDs
Jim Taylor: 1 rushing touchdown
Herb Adderley: Interception returned for a touchdown

Television and Cultural Impact

The game was broadcast simultaneously by CBS and NBC, marking the only time in history that a major U.S. sports event was aired by two networks. An estimated 51 million viewers watched, though many recall poor reception and limited public awareness compared to today’s standards.

Year	Date	Stadium	City	Winner	Score	Attendance
1967	January 15	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Los Angeles, CA	Green Bay Packers	35–10	61,946
1968	January 14	Orange Bowl	Miami, FL	Green Bay Packers	33–14	75,389
1969	January 12	Orange Bowl	Miami, FL	New York Jets	16–7	75,389
1970	January 11	Tulane Stadium	New Orleans, LA	Kansas City Chiefs	23–7	80,316

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance and viewership numbers show a rapid increase in popularity, with Super Bowl IV drawing over 80,000 fans. The early games helped solidify the Super Bowl as a cultural phenomenon, transitioning from a proving ground for league parity to a national holiday of entertainment and sport.

Legacy of the First Super Bowl

Although overshadowed by later editions, Super Bowl I set the stage for the modern NFL. It validated the AFL-NFL merger and demonstrated that a unified league could draw massive audiences. Over time, the game evolved into a showcase for top-tier athletes, halftime spectacles, and high-cost advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions About the First Super Bowl

Was it originally called the Super Bowl?

No, the game was officially titled the "AFL-NFL World Championship Game." The term "Super Bowl" was popularized by media and fans, inspired by AFL owner Lamar Hunt, who jokingly referred to it using his children's toy, the Super Ball.

Who won the first Super Bowl?

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10 in Super Bowl I.

Where was the first Super Bowl held?

The first Super Bowl took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

Did the AFL win the first Super Bowl?

No, the AFL did not win the first Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs, representing the AFL, lost to the NFL's Green Bay Packers. The first AFL victory came in Super Bowl III when the New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts.