If you’re sitting on the couch right now arguing with your uncle about whether the NFL has always been this big, or just how long we’ve been obsessing over Roman numerals and overpriced commercials, you’ve come to the right place. Most people think the league just kind of appeared out of thin air in its current form. Not exactly.
As of early 2026, the Super Bowl has been played for 59 years.
We are currently gearing up for Super Bowl LX (that’s 60 for the non-Latin scholars among us), which is set to kick off on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. If you count the one we are about to watch, that makes 60 seasons of championship football. But if you’re looking at completed games already in the history books? The number is 59.
The first one happened back in 1967. It wasn't even called the Super Bowl then. It had the incredibly clunky title of the "AFL-NFL World Championship Game." Imagine trying to fit that on a hat.
Why the Number of Years Can Be Kinda Confusing
You'd think counting years would be simple, right?
💡 You might also like: 2019 NFL Draft First Round: Why It Still Matters Today
Well, the NFL likes to keep us on our toes. The very first game took place on January 15, 1967, following the 1966 regular season. This creates a weird little lag where the Super Bowl year is always one year ahead of the season it’s actually capping off. So, while we are technically in the 2025-2026 season cycle, the game played in 2026 is actually the 60th edition.
Honestly, the only reason we even have this game is because of a "shotgun wedding" between two rival leagues: the established National Football League (NFL) and the upstart American Football League (AFL). They hated each other. Like, truly. But they realized they could make a lot more money if they stopped bickering and started playing for a trophy.
The Milestone Games
- Super Bowl I (1967): The Green Bay Packers took down the Kansas City Chiefs. There were actually empty seats in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Hard to imagine now when tickets cost more than a used Honda Civic.
- Super Bowl III (1969): This is when it officially became the "Super Bowl." Joe Namath famously guaranteed a win for the Jets, and he actually pulled it off. This was the moment people realized the AFL wasn't just a "junior" league.
- Super Bowl L (2016): The NFL temporarily ditched Roman numerals because "Super Bowl L" looked like the league was taking a massive loss. They went with the number 50 instead.
- Super Bowl LIX (2025): The most recent game, where the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in New Orleans.
How Many Years Has the Super Bowl Been Played Compared to Other Sports?
If you look at the World Series or the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl is actually a bit of a newcomer.
The World Series has been around since 1903. The Stanley Cup is even older, dating back to the 1890s. But the Super Bowl has this weird way of feeling like it's been the center of the universe forever.
Maybe it’s the halftime shows. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s a single-game, winner-take-all event. In baseball or basketball, you can lose a game and still win the title. In the Super Bowl, you have one shot. That’s probably why the stakes feel so much higher every single year.
Who Has Been Playing the Longest?
It’s not just about the game itself, but the teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are currently sitting at the top of the mountain with six wins each. But the landscape is shifting. The Kansas City Chiefs have been in a "dynasty" mode lately, making it to four out of the last six games.
Wait, let's look at the "losers" for a second. The Buffalo Bills played in four straight Super Bowls in the early 90s and lost every single one of them. That's a specific kind of heartbreak that's lasted over 30 years now.
What to Expect for Super Bowl 60 (LX)
Since we’re currently in 2026, all eyes are on the Bay Area.
The 60th anniversary is a massive deal for the NFL. They’ve already lined up Bad Bunny for the halftime show, and the logo even has the Golden Gate Bridge integrated into the Roman numerals. It’s a far cry from that first game in 1967 where a 30-second ad cost $42,000. Today? You’re looking at $7 million for that same 30 seconds.
✨ Don't miss: RB Rankings Fantasy PPR: Why You’re Probably Overvaluing the Wrong Names
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Date: Super Bowl LX is February 8, 2026. If you’re planning a party, don’t wait until the week before to buy the wings.
- Track the Count: Next year (2027) will be Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium. The league has already planned out the next few years to ensure they keep that "destination event" vibe alive.
- Watch the History: If you want to see how much the game has changed, find the highlights of Super Bowl I on YouTube. The players look like they’re moving in slow motion compared to the athletes today.
Whether you're in it for the football, the commercials, or just the seven-layer dip, the Super Bowl has officially survived nearly six decades of American culture. It’s gone from a small-time merger experiment to a global holiday. And honestly, it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon.
Now you can go back to that argument with your uncle and tell him exactly why he's wrong about the "good old days." Because let's be real, the game is bigger now than it ever was in 1967.
Next Steps for Your Super Bowl Research:
- Verify the TV Schedule: For 2026, the game is on NBC/Peacock. Make sure your subscription is active if you aren't using cable.
- Check the Vegas Odds: If you're into sports betting, keep an eye on how the Chiefs and Eagles are trending as the playoffs approach, as they are the early favorites to return to the big stage.
- Look Up Levi's Stadium Logistics: If you are actually going to the game in Santa Clara, start looking at "Super Bowl Experience" tickets at the Moscone Center now, as they tend to sell out months in advance.