Where Was the First Super Bowl Held?

By Sarah Miller · May 25, 2041

The first Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1967. Officially known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game at the time, it featured the Green Bay Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.

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 game unified two rival leagues and laid the foundation for what would become the most-watched 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
Broadcast Networks: CBS and NBC (first dual-network broadcast in U.S. history)

Why Was the First Super Bowl Held in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles was chosen as the host city for several strategic reasons:

Historic Venue: The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was one of the largest and most iconic stadiums in the U.S., with a seating capacity well-suited for a major event.
Media Hub: As a center for television and entertainment, Los Angeles provided optimal broadcasting infrastructure.
Neutral Ground: Neither the Packers nor the Chiefs were based in California, ensuring a neutral site for the championship.
Symbolism: Hosting the game in a major West Coast city helped promote national appeal for the newly merging leagues.

Super Bowl I: Game Highlights and Legacy

Coached by legendary Vince Lombardi, the Green Bay Packers demonstrated NFL dominance over the AFL in the early years of interleague competition. Bart Starr’s precise passing and leadership under pressure earned him MVP honors. Though the AFL would later prove more competitive, this game set the tone for future matchups.

The term "Super Bowl" was not officially used until Super Bowl III, but the name had already gained popularity in media and public conversation. The success of this game ensured the continuation of the championship format and solidified its place in American culture.

Category	Detail
Official Name	AFL-NFL World Championship Game
Common Name	Super Bowl I
Date	January 15, 17:00 PST (UTC−8)
Stadium	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
City	Los Angeles, California
Attendance	61,946
TV Viewership	~51 million (combined CBS/NBC)
Halftime Show	University of Arizona and University of Southern California marching bands
Referee	Norm Schachter
Game Duration	3 hours, 10 minutes

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance of 61,946 indicates strong public interest despite limited marketing and media coverage compared to modern standards. The combined viewership across CBS and NBC networks reached over half the U.S. population at the time, demonstrating the unifying power of live sports even in the pre-cable era.