16 things you may not know about the Super Bowl

1. The First Super Bowl wasn’t even called that

3. The Lombardi Trophy’s humble beginnings

4. Players get paid extra for being there

10. Two teams have won more than anybody else

16. Never been a year without the Super Bowl

A cultural phenomenon

The Super Bowl isn’t just a game; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Every year, millions tune in to watch the biggest sporting event in America, but there’s so much more to it than touchdowns and half-time shows. Here are 16 things you probably didn’t know about the Super Bowl:

1. The First Super Bowl wasn’t even called that

When the Green Bay Packers faced the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967, the event was officially called the 'AFL-NFL World Championship Game.' The name 'Super Bowl' didn’t stick until the third edition in 1969.

2. Tickets weren't always so pricey

A ticket to the first Super Bowl cost as little as $12. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $100 today – a steal compared to modern prices, which start at $4,600 and cost around $50,000 for seats a little closer to the action in 2025, according to Forbes.

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3. The Lombardi Trophy’s humble beginnings

The iconic trophy, awarded to the winning team, was originally designed by Tiffany & Co. on the back of a cocktail napkin. It’s been a symbol of NFL greatness ever since.

4. Players get paid extra for being there

NFL players earn postseason bonuses in addition to their regular salaries. In 2022, Super Bowl winners received $150,000, with most taking home $250,000 including earlier playoff bonuses. Losing players earned about $185,000. Some also have incentives, like Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who reportedly earned an extra $1 million for making the Super Bowl in 2024, as reported by AP.

5. It’s the biggest day for avocados

While the chicken wing stat gets thrown out a lot around this time of year (1.45 billion wings eaten on the day, in case you were wondering), Super Bowl Sunday is also an avocado lover’s dream. Americans consume an estimated 105 million pounds (47.6m kg) of guacamole during the game, proving that chips and dip are an essential part of the experience.

6. $5 million dollars in jewelry

The winning team typically receives around 150 gem-studded Super Bowl rings, distributed among players, coaches, and key personnel within the organization. The entire set is valued at approximately $5 million. The largest ring ever made belongs to William 'The Refrigerator' Perry, whose size 25 ring commemorates his performance with the Chicago Bears in their Super Bowl XX victory, as Country Living reported.

7. The footballs are handmade

Every Super Bowl football is handcrafted by Wilson, using leather from cows in the U.S. Around 120 balls are made specifically for the big game each year.

8. The rushing yards record

Running back Timmy Smith made a stunning debut as a starter in Super Bowl XXII, rushing for 204 yards and scoring two touchdowns to lead the Washington Redskins to a dominant 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

9. The Roman numerals tradition

Ever wondered why the Super Bowl uses Roman numerals? The NFL adopted them to avoid confusion with the regular season, which spans two calendar years.

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10. Two teams have won more than anybody else

The Steelers and Patriots are the most successful teams when it comes to the Super Bowl, with both tied at the top with six championships each.

11. And two have lost it the most

Curiously, the Patriots have also lost it the most, too. The Denver Broncos and Patriots are tied with five losses each, though the Broncos have only won it three times.

12. And some never made it at all

While four teams have just never made it at all. The Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars have never appeared in the Super Bowl. Maybe next year, though?

13. The Gatorade shower

The iconic post-game Gatorade shower began in the mid-80s with the New York Giants. Since then, it’s become a celebratory staple, and fans love betting on the color of the drink each year.

14. A coin toss with stakes

The Super Bowl coin toss is more than a formality – it’s a betting favorite. Interestingly, the team that wins the coin toss has lost the game more often than not in recent years.

15. Never held in 'cold' cities

With a few exceptions, the Super Bowl is almost always played in warm-weather locations or domed stadiums. The coldest game ever was Super Bowl VI in New Orleans, where it was 39°F/3.8°C at kick-off.

16. Never been a year without the Super Bowl

Despite what the world might throw its way, there has never been a year without a Super Bowl since that first edition in 1967.

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