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Super Bowl Timeline
(January 15, 1967 – Present)The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), first played in January 1967 following the merger agreement between the NFL and its rival, the American Football League (AFL). It has grown into one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, famous for its halftime shows and commercials as well as the game itself. More Less
Origins and Early Era
AFL and NFL agree to merge, setting stage for a championship game
Jun 8, 1966
The American Football League and the National Football League announced their merger, to be completed by 1970. As part of the agreement, the two leagues would play an annual championship game between their winners, which came to be known as the Super Bowl.
First Super Bowl: Green Bay Packers defeat Kansas City Chiefs
Jan 15, 1967
The first AFL–NFL World Championship Game was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10, with quarterback Bart Starr named the game's first MVP.
Image source: Super Bowl I
Packers win second straight Super Bowl over Oakland Raiders
Jan 14, 1968
Green Bay repeated as champions, beating the Oakland Raiders 33–14 in Miami. It was Vince Lombardi's final game as the Packers' head coach, cementing the franchise as the NFL's early dynasty.
Jets upset Colts in Super Bowl III, legitimizing the AFL
Jan 12, 1969
Joe Namath famously guaranteed victory before leading the New York Jets to a shocking 16–7 win over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. The upset proved the AFL could compete with the established NFL.
Image source: Super Bowl III
Chiefs win final pre-merger Super Bowl over Vikings
Jan 11, 1970
Kansas City defeated Minnesota 23–7 in New Orleans, giving the AFL a 2–2 record in Super Bowls before the leagues formally merged into one NFL for the 1970 season.
Image source: Super Bowl IV
Colts win first post-merger Super Bowl over Cowboys
Jan 17, 1971
Baltimore beat Dallas 16–13 on Jim O'Brien's last-second field goal in a turnover-filled game remembered as the 'Blunder Bowl.' It was the first Super Bowl played after the AFL–NFL merger.
Cowboys win first championship in Super Bowl VI
Jan 16, 1972
Dallas dominated Miami 24–3 in New Orleans, shedding its reputation for falling short in big games. Quarterback Roger Staubach was named MVP as the Cowboys finally captured their first title.
Dynasties and Dominance
Dolphins complete perfect season with Super Bowl VII win
Jan 14, 1973
Miami finished 17–0, defeating Washington 14–7 in Los Angeles to cap the only perfect season in modern NFL history. The Dolphins' achievement remains unmatched more than five decades later.
Image source: 1972 Miami Dolphins season
Dolphins repeat as champions in Super Bowl VIII
Jan 13, 1974
Miami crushed Minnesota 24–7 in Houston behind Larry Csonka's powerful running game, becoming the second team ever to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
Steelers begin dynasty with Super Bowl IX victory
Jan 12, 1975
Pittsburgh's famed 'Steel Curtain' defense smothered Minnesota 16–6, launching a decade of dominance that would produce four championships in six years.
Image source: Super Bowl IX
Key Facts
- The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10.
- The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the NFL, pitting the winners of the AFC and NFC against each other.
- It is consistently among the most-watched television broadcasts in the United States, with over 100 million viewers annually.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are tied for the most Super Bowl victories, with six championships each.
- Super Bowl Sunday has become an unofficial American holiday, known for elaborate halftime shows and high-priced commercials.
Source
This Super Bowl timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.
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