The Super Bowl has become much more than just a football game-it’s a global spectacle. With millions tuning in every year, it features unforgettable halftime shows, jaw-dropping commercials, and legendary plays. But how did it all begin?
The first-ever Super Bowl was played in 1967, marking the start of what would become America’s biggest sports event. This is the story of how it all started and which team walked away with the first championship title.
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When Was the First Super Bowl Played?
The first Super Bowl took place on January 15, 1967. Back then, it wasn’t even called the “Super Bowl.” The game was officially named the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, as it was a battle between the National Football League (NFL) and the rival American Football League (AFL).
It wasn’t until Super Bowl III that the event officially adopted the name “Super Bowl,” a term reportedly coined by Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, inspired by a popular children’s toy called the “Super Ball.”
Where Was the First Super Bowl Played?
The inaugural game was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Despite the historical significance of the event, ticket sales were underwhelming. The stadium’s capacity was 93,000, but only 61,946 fans attended-a far cry from today’s sold-out Super Bowl crowds.
Interestingly, the first Super Bowl remains the only one that wasn’t completely sold out. In contrast, modern Super Bowls sell out months in advance, with ticket prices skyrocketing into the thousands.
Who Played in the First Super Bowl?
The game featured a showdown between two powerhouse teams:
- Green Bay Packers (NFL champions)
- Kansas City Chiefs (AFL champions)
At the time, the NFL was considered the more dominant league, while the AFL was seen as the underdog. This championship was meant to prove which league had the superior talent.
Who Won the First Super Bowl?
The Green Bay Packers, led by legendary coach Vince Lombardi, dominated the Kansas City Chiefs with a 35-10 victory. The game was close in the first half, with the Packers leading by only 14-10 at halftime, but Green Bay pulled away in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered points.
Key Highlights from the Game
Bart Starr, the Packers’ quarterback, was named the first-ever Super Bowl MVP. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
Packers wide receiver Max McGee became an unexpected hero. Despite barely playing during the regular season, he caught seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Kansas City struggled in the second half. After keeping the game competitive in the first two quarters, the Chiefs’ offense collapsed against the Packers’ fierce defense.
How Much Did a Ticket Cost for the First Super Bowl?
If you think today’s Super Bowl ticket prices are outrageous, consider this: tickets for Super Bowl I cost just $12. Adjusted for inflation, that’s around $105 in today’s money-a bargain compared to the average Super Bowl ticket price in 2025, which can range from $6,000 to $10,000!
Was the First Super Bowl Broadcast on TV?
Yes! The first Super Bowl was uniquely broadcast on two networks-CBS and NBC-because both had rights to NFL and AFL games, respectively. However, the original footage of the game was lost, as networks often taped over old broadcasts to save money.
Thankfully, NFL Films later reconstructed the game using available footage, allowing fans to watch the historic match today.
How the First Super Bowl Changed the NFL
The success of this game paved the way for a full AFL-NFL merger, which was completed in 1970. The Super Bowl quickly grew into the massive event we know today, with record-breaking TV ratings, extravagant halftime shows, and advertising slots costing millions of dollars per second.
What started as an experiment between two competing leagues is now the biggest annual sports event in the U.S., with over 100 million viewers watching every year.
The first Super Bowl in 1967 might not have had the flashy halftime shows, the crazy commercials, or the mind-boggling ticket prices of today, but it set the foundation for what would become the biggest sporting event in the world.
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