Where Was the First Super Bowl Held? Answer & History

By Sarah Miller · July 27, 2052

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 and Where Did It Take Place?

The inaugural Super Bowl, retroactively named Super Bowl I, took place on January 15, 1967. This historic game marked the first championship matchup between the champions of the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), following the announcement of the leagues' merger.

Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, located in Los Angeles, California, served as the host stadium. At the time, it was one of the largest and most iconic sports venues in the United States, with a seating capacity exceeding 90,000 for the event.

Date: January 15, 1967
Official Name: AFL-NFL World Championship Game
Final Score: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
Attendance: 61,946 (not sold out)
Coaches: Vince Lombardi (Packers), Hank Stram (Chiefs)

Why Was the First Super Bowl Held in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles was chosen as the host city due to its central geographic location, large stadium capacity, and strong media market presence. The NFL and AFL sought a neutral site accessible to fans from both leagues across the country.

Factors Influencing Venue Selection

Stadium Availability: The Coliseum was available and met size requirements.
Media Exposure: Southern California offered major television and press infrastructure.
Weather: Consistently mild January weather made outdoor play reliable.
Neutrality: No local team participated, ensuring impartiality.

Super Bowl I: Key Facts and Historical Context

Before the term "Super Bowl" became official, the game was marketed cautiously due to initial resistance from NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The name "Super Bowl" gained popularity through media and public use before being formally adopted starting with Super Bowl III.

Notable Aspects of the Game

Bart Starr, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, was named MVP.
The game was broadcast simultaneously on CBS and NBC, marking the only time this occurred in Super Bowl history.
Halftime show featured college marching bands and Disney-themed performances.
Tickets ranged from $12 to $18; many seats remained unsold.

Category	Data
Event	Super Bowl I (AFL-NFL World Championship Game)
Date	January 15, 17, 1967
Location	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Winning Team	Green Bay Packers
Losing Team	Kansas City Chiefs
Final Score	35–10
Attendance	61,946
Most Valuable Player	Bart Starr
TV Ratings (Nielsen)	41.6 (approximate)
Broadcast Networks	CBS and NBC

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance of 61,946 was below the Coliseum's full capacity, indicating that the cultural phenomenon of the Super Bowl evolved over time. Despite limited initial fan enthusiasm, the game laid the foundation for what would become America’s biggest annual sporting event. The dual network broadcast also highlighted the significance of the inter-league collaboration.

How Has the Super Bowl Location Selection Evolved Since 1967?

Unlike today’s bidding process, early Super Bowls were awarded based on stadium availability and climate considerations. Warm-weather cities or domed stadiums in northern markets are now preferred to avoid weather disruptions.

Modern selection involves a formal bid process by cities.
Stadiums must meet minimum capacity (70,000+) and infrastructure standards.
Host cities are typically selected 3–5 years in advance.
Recent trends favor luxury amenities, transportation access, and hotel capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions About the First Super Bowl

Where was the first Super Bowl played?

The first Super Bowl was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

Who won the first Super Bowl?

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10 in the first Super Bowl on January 15, 1967.

Was the first Super Bowl called 'Super Bowl I' at the time?

No, it was officially called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The term 'Super Bowl' became official later, starting with Super Bowl III.

Did the first Super Bowl sell out?

No, the first Super Bowl did not sell out. Attendance was 61,946, but over 30,000 tickets remained unsold, partly due to lack of public awareness and high ticket prices at the time.

Which networks broadcast the first Super Bowl?

The first Super Bowl was simulcast on both CBS and NBC, making it the only Super Bowl in history to be aired on two different networks simultaneously.