Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
What Is the Super Bowl Era in the NFL?
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Super Bowl LVII
Britannica AI Icon
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Super Bowl LVII
Super Bowl LVII Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts preparing to throw the ball during Super Bowl LVII, held in Glendale, Arizona, February 12, 2023. The Eagles lost the game to the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Is the Super Bowl Era in the NFL?

Written by
Will Gosner
Will Gosner is an associate editor covering general interest topics, including film, television, and sports. He has a B.A. from the University of Chicago. He joined Britannica in 2014.
Will Gosner
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

The Super Bowl era in the National Football League (NFL) refers to the period that started in 1967 and continues to the present day. Before 1967 the sport of American football was divided between two professional leagues, the NFL and the American Football League (AFL). In 1966 the NFL and the AFL decided to merge. The agreement called for an end-of-season championship game, and the first such contest, then called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, was played on January 15, 1967. The term Super Bowl was first used in 1969. The merger was finalized in 1970, and the two leagues became the new NFL’s National Football Conference and American Football Conference. Since then the Super Bowl has been contested between each conference’s champion.

(Find out which teams have been Super Bowl champions.)

The Super Bowl has become a significant cultural event in the United States, often considered an unofficial holiday. Super Bowl Sunday is marked by widespread viewing parties and extensive media coverage. The game is accompanied by elaborate ceremonies and entertainment, and it consistently ranks among the highest-rated televised sporting events. The commercial aspect of the Super Bowl has also steadily grown in importance, with advertising slots during the game being the most expensive of the year.

Will Gosner