The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched and highly anticipated sporting events in the world, with a rich history spanning over five decades.
From its humble beginnings to the current extravaganza, the Super Bowl has evolved into a spectacle that combines sports, entertainment, and culture. Here are some surprising facts about the Super Bowl that you'll love to share.
1. The First Super Bowl Was Not Called the Super Bowl
The first Super Bowl played in 1967, was not officially called the Super Bowl. Instead, it was referred to as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, with the name "Super Bowl" being coined by Lamar Hunt, the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs.
2. The Super Bowl Is the Second-Largest Food Consumption Day
The Super Bowl is the second-largest food consumption day in the United States, with Americans devouring over 1.3 billion chicken wings, 11 million pounds of potato chips, and 8 million pounds of guacamole on game day.
3. The Vince Lombardi Trophy Is Made of Sterling Silver
The iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the Super Bowl winner, is made of sterling silver and weighs about 7 pounds. It's crafted by Tiffany & Co. and takes about 72 hours to complete.
4. The Longest Super Bowl Drought Belongs to the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have the longest active drought without a Super Bowl win, with their last championship dating back to 1947, when they were still based in Chicago.
5. Super Bowl Sunday Is the Busiest Day for Domino's Pizza
Super Bowl Sunday is the busiest day of the year for Domino's Pizza, with the company delivering over 2 million pizzas on game day. That's about 40% more than a typical Sunday.
6. The First Super Bowl Commercial Cost $42,000
The first Super Bowl commercial, aired during Super Bowl I, cost $42,000 for a 30-second spot. Today, a 30-second commercial can cost over $5 million.
7. The Super Bowl Is Watched in Over 180 Countries
The Super Bowl is a global phenomenon, with the game being broadcast in over 180 countries and territories around the world. It's one of the most-watched television events globally.
8. The Average Super Bowl Viewer Eats 2,400 Calories
The average Super Bowl viewer consumes about 2,400 calories on game day, which is roughly the equivalent of eating 12 burgers or 40 slices of pizza.
9. The Super Bowl Has Been Delayed Only Once
The Super Bowl has been delayed only once, during Super Bowl XXXVI, when the game was postponed by 30 minutes due to a power outage caused by a severe thunderstorm.
10. The Most Expensive Super Bowl Ring Costs $36,500
The most expensive Super Bowl ring ever made is the New England Patriots' Super Bowl LI ring, which costs $36,500 and features 283 diamonds.
11. Super Bowl MVPs Receive a New Car
Super Bowl MVPs are awarded a new car, courtesy of General Motors, as part of their prize package. The car is usually a Chevrolet or Cadillac model.
12. The Shortest Super Bowl Was 3 Hours and 14 Minutes Long
The shortest Super Bowl in history was Super Bowl XXIII, which lasted just 3 hours and 14 minutes. The game was played between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals.
13. The Super Bowl Is the Most-Watched TV Event in the United States
The Super Bowl is the most-watched television event in the United States, with over 100 million viewers tuning in annually. It's been the most-watched TV event for over 25 years.
14. The First Super Bowl Halftime Show Featured a Uni-Cyclist
The first Super Bowl halftime show, performed during Super Bowl I, featured a uni-cyclist, a marching band, and a performance by the University of Arizona and Grambling State University marching bands.
15. The Super Bowl Generates Over $15 Billion in Revenue
The Super Bowl generates over $15 billion in revenue each year, making it one of the most lucrative sporting events in the world.
16. The Longest Field Goal in Super Bowl History Is 61 Yards
The longest field goal in Super Bowl history was made by Jason Elam of the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXXIII, with a distance of 61 yards.
17. The Most Super Bowl Wins by a Player Is 6
Tom Brady holds the record for the most Super Bowl wins by a player, with 6 championships. He won 4 Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and 2 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
18. The First Super Bowl Ticket Cost $6
The first Super Bowl ticket, sold for Super Bowl I, cost just $6. Today, Super Bowl tickets can cost up to $10,000 or more, depending on the seat location.
19. Super Bowl Sunday Is the Highest-Grossing Day for Bars and Restaurants
Super Bowl Sunday is the highest-grossing day for bars and restaurants in the United States, with establishments earning up to 3 times their average daily revenue.
20. The Most Super Bowl Losses by a Team Is 5
The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots are tied for the most Super Bowl losses by a team, with 5 defeats each.
21. The Super Bowl Is the Most-Tweeted Event in the World
The Super Bowl is the most-tweeted event in the world, with over 100 million tweets sent during the game. The Super Bowl has been the most-tweeted event for over 5 years.
22. The First Super Bowl Program Cost 50 Cents
The first Super Bowl program, sold during Super Bowl I, cost just 50 cents. Today, vintage Super Bowl programs can sell for thousands of dollars.
23. The Super Bowl Is Broadcast in Over 25 Languages
The Super Bowl is broadcast in over 25 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and many others, making it a truly global event.
24. The Most Expensive Super Bowl Ad Costs Over $5 Million
The most expensive Super Bowl ad costs over $5 million for a 30-second spot. The average cost of a Super Bowl ad is around $4 million.
25. The Super Bowl Has Been Played in 25 Different Stadiums
The Super Bowl has been played in 25 different stadiums across the United States, with the most recent one being SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
26. The Super Bowl Is Estimated to Generate Over 100,000 Jobs
The Super Bowl is estimated to generate over 100,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, including jobs in hospitality, tourism, and event management. This makes it a significant economic driver for the host city.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.