When Was the First Super Bowl Held? Key Facts & History

By Sarah Miller · January 4, 2053

The first Super Bowl was held 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 American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). This historic matchup was played to determine which league's champion would be recognized as the best in professional American football.

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
Broadcast Networks: CBS (NFL contract) and NBC (AFL contract) – the only dual-network broadcast in Super Bowl history

Why Was the First Super Bowl Created?

The creation of the first Super Bowl stemmed from the merger agreement announced in June 1966 between the rival NFL and AFL leagues. To unify the professional football landscape and crown a true national champion, the leagues agreed to play an annual championship game between their respective winners.

Purpose of the Merger and Championship Game

End costly player bidding wars between leagues
Establish a unified draft system
Create a premier postseason event to boost national viewership and revenue
Legitimize the AFL as a competitive league equal to the NFL

How Did the Teams Qualify for Super Bowl I?

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

Path to the First Super Bowl

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

Super Bowl I Game Highlights and Key Moments

Coached by legendary Vince Lombardi, the Packers dominated the second half after a close first half. Bart Starr threw two touchdown passes, and Max McGee made a surprising impact with 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns, despite not expecting to play significantly.

Notable Performances

Bart Starr: 16/23 passing, 250 yards, 2 TDs – named MVP
Max McGee: Unexpected star; caught both TD passes
Lenny Dawson: Chiefs QB threw for 210 yards but was intercepted twice
Defensive Pressure: Packers defense limited Chiefs' rushing attack effectively

Statistic	Green Bay Packers	Kansas City Chiefs
First Downs	19	13
Total Yards	382	298
Rushing Yards	149	75
Passing Yards	233	223
Passes Completed-Attempted	16–23	17–36
Interceptions	1	2
Punts-Average	5–43.6	6–38.7
Fumbles Lost	1	2

Table data source:1, 2

The statistical breakdown shows Green Bay's balanced offensive attack and superior ball control. Their ability to gain more first downs and limit fumbles gave them a decisive edge. Kansas City struggled on the ground, managing only 75 rushing yards against the disciplined Packers defense.

Legacy and Impact of the First Super Bowl

Although overshadowed at the time by other major sporting events and lacking the massive media buildup of modern Super Bowls, Super Bowl I laid the foundation for what would become the most-watched annual sporting event in the United States.

It validated the AFL-NFL merger and set the stage for full league integration by 1970
Proved that a championship game between rival leagues could succeed
Introduced the concept of a neutral-site, nationally televised spectacle
Paved the way for future branding as the "Super Bowl," a name popularized by AFL owner Lamar Hunt

Common Questions About the First Super Bowl

When was the first Super Bowl held?

The first Super Bowl was held on January 15, 1967.

Who played in the first Super Bowl?

The Green Bay Packers (NFL) faced the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) in the first Super Bowl.

Where was the first Super Bowl played?

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

Who won the first Super Bowl?

The Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10.

Who was the MVP of the first Super Bowl?

Bart Starr, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, was named MVP of the first Super Bowl.

Was it always called the Super Bowl?

No, the game was officially called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The term "Super Bowl" was coined informally by Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and later adopted officially.