Who Plays in the Super Bowl? Teams, Format & History

By Sarah Miller · December 28, 2041

The Super Bowl features the champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), who face off in the NFL's annual championship game.

Understanding the Super Bowl Matchup

The Super Bowl is the culmination of the National Football League (NFL) season, where the two best teams from the AFC and NFC compete for the league title. These teams earn their spot through a rigorous regular season and playoff format.

How Teams Qualify for the Super Bowl

Teams play a 17-game regular season schedule.
The top seven teams from each conference (based on win-loss record and tiebreakers) advance to the playoffs.
After three rounds of postseason games, the final remaining team from each conference earns a berth in the Super Bowl.
The AFC champion faces the NFC champion in the Super Bowl.

Recent Super Bowl Participants and Results

In recent years, powerhouse franchises such as the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles have frequently appeared in the big game. The matchup often reflects both sustained excellence and breakout playoff performances.

Year	Super Bowl	AFC Team	NFC Team	Winner	Score
2025	LIX	Kansas City Chiefs	San Francisco 49ers	Kansas City Chiefs	28-24
2024	LVIII	Kansas City Chiefs	San Francisco 49ers	Kansas City Chiefs	25-22 (OT)
2023	LVII	Kansas City Chiefs	Philadelphia Eagles	Kansas City Chiefs	38-35
2022	LVI	Cincinnati Bengals	Los Angeles Rams	Los Angeles Rams	23-20
2021	LV	Kansas City Chiefs	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	31-9

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a trend of repeat appearances by elite franchises, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, who reached four of the last five Super Bowls as of 2025. The close scores in multiple games highlight the competitive balance between the conferences in recent years.

Notable Super Bowl Contenders

Certain teams have established themselves as frequent contenders due to strong leadership, quarterback talent, and organizational depth.

Top Franchises in Recent Super Bowls

Kansas City Chiefs: Led by Patrick Mahomes, they’ve become a modern dynasty with multiple appearances and wins since 2020.
San Francisco 49ers: A storied franchise with consistent playoff success and multiple Super Bowl appearances in the past decade.
Philadelphia Eagles: Emerged as a dominant NFC force, reaching two Super Bowls in the 2020s.
Cincinnati Bengals: Broke a long playoff drought and reached Super Bowl LVII behind Joe Burrow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Plays in the Super Bowl

Who plays in the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl features the champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), who qualify by winning their respective conference championship games after the NFL playoffs.

How are Super Bowl teams determined?

Teams qualify based on their performance during the 17-week regular season and subsequent playoff results. The top seven teams in each conference enter a single-elimination tournament, culminating in the conference championships that decide the Super Bowl participants.

Can the same team play in the Super Bowl multiple years in a row?

Yes, there is no restriction preventing a team from appearing in consecutive Super Bowls. The Kansas City Chiefs played in Super Bowls LVII, LVIII, and LIX, winning all three.

What happens if a team wins their conference but loses the Super Bowl?

Winning the conference guarantees a Super Bowl berth. If a team loses the Super Bowl, they are the runners-up for the season but still recognized as their conference’s champion.

Has a team from every NFL city played in the Super Bowl?

No. While most franchises have made at least one appearance, some teams like the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars have never reached the Super Bowl as of 2025.