The Super Bowl is more than just a football game—it’s a cultural phenomenon. While the action on the field is thrilling, there’s a whole world of fascinating trivia surrounding the event that has nothing to do with touchdowns or interceptions. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in for the halftime show and commercials, here are seven fun facts about the Super Bowl that might surprise you.
1. The Super Bowl Is the Second-Largest Food Consumption Day in the U.S.
Move over, Thanksgiving—the Super Bowl is a close second when it comes to food consumption in America. Fans devour an estimated 1.4 billion chicken wings, 12.5 million pizzas, and 50 million cases of beer on game day. In fact, avocado sales spike so much (thanks to guacamole) that the event is sometimes called the “Avocado Bowl.”
2. The Halftime Show Wasn’t Always a Mega Concert
Today, the Super Bowl halftime show is a star-studded spectacle featuring A-list performers like Beyoncé, Prince, and Rihanna. But in the early years, it was much more low-key. The first few halftime shows featured college marching bands and up-and-coming performers like Carol Channing and Ella Fitzgerald. It wasn’t until Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance that the show became the must-see event it is today.
3. The Puppy Bowl Started as a Joke—But Became a Beloved Tradition
Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl first aired in 2005 as a lighthearted alternative to the big game. What began as a fun gimmick—puppies playing on a mini football field—has grown into a hugely popular event, with millions tuning in to watch adorable adoptable dogs “compete.” The Puppy Bowl has even helped thousands of dogs find forever homes over the years.
4. The First Super Bowl Wasn’t Sold Out
It’s hard to imagine now, but the first Super Bowl in 1967 didn’t sell out. Tickets were priced at $12 (about $100 today), and the game was played in front of thousands of empty seats at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Fast forward to today, and tickets regularly sell for thousands of dollars, with the most expensive ever going for over $50,000.
5. Super Bowl Ads Are More Expensive Than Ever (And Some Have Gone Viral for Free)
A 30-second Super Bowl ad now costs around $7 million, but some of the most memorable commercials weren’t even paid for. In 1984, Apple’s legendary “1984” Macintosh ad only aired once during the Super Bowl, yet it became one of the most talked-about commercials in history. More recently, brands like Oreo and Wendy’s have gained massive attention by live-tweeting during the game instead of buying pricey airtime.
6. The Vince Lombardi Trophy Is Made of Sterling Silver (And Takes Hundreds of Hours to Craft)
The iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the winning team, is made of sterling silver and takes four months and over 200 hours of labor to create. Each trophy is handcrafted by Tiffany & Co. and weighs 7 pounds. The design hasn’t changed since the first Super Bowl—except for one year (Super Bowl V) when it was mistakenly made with a slightly different base.
7. The Super Bowl Affects Plumbing Systems Across the Country
Here’s a bizarre one: Super Bowl Sunday is one of the worst days for plumbing issues in the U.S. Why? Because during halftime (and after the game), millions of people flush their toilets at the same time, overwhelming sewage systems. Cities like New York and Chicago have reported significant spikes in water usage during commercial breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is it called the “Super Bowl”? A: The name was inspired by the “Super Ball,” a popular toy in the 1960s. Lamar Hunt, founder of the AFL, suggested “Super Bowl” as a placeholder name—and it stuck.
Q: Has a Super Bowl ever gone into overtime? A: Yes! The first overtime in Super Bowl history happened in Super Bowl LI (2017), when the New England Patriots staged a historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.
Q: What’s the most-watched Super Bowl of all time? A: Super Bowl LVII (2023), featuring the Chiefs vs. Eagles and Rihanna’s halftime show, drew over 115 million viewers, making it the most-watched in history.
Q: Do Super Bowl winners really get a ring? A: Absolutely! Each player, coach, and key staff member receives a custom championship ring, often worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Final Thoughts
The Super Bowl is more than just a game—it’s a mix of sports, entertainment, and quirky traditions that bring people together. Whether you’re in it for the commercials, the halftime show, or just the snacks, there’s always something fascinating happening off the field. So next time you’re watching, impress your friends with these fun facts—because the Super Bowl is about way more than football!