Super Bowl Ticket Prices Are Ridiculous — a Timeline

As the excitement for Super Bowl LVIII builds in Las Vegas, so does the anticipation of the event's astronomical ticket prices. With an average price of over $12,000, Super Bowl LVIII is poised to break the record for the most expensive Super Bowl ticket prices ever. 

In its nascent years, the Super Bowl was a relatively modest affair, with tickets for the inaugural game priced at a mere $12 — a fraction of what they are today. This staggering difference begs the question: How did Super Bowl ticket prices become so ridiculous? 

Here's a rundown of the average ticket price for each Super Bowl since 1967.

Average Ticket Price: $12

Inflation Adjusted: $106

Attendance: 61,946

The inaugural Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where the Green Bay Packers triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 35-10. Tickets for this historic match were a steal at just $12, which is roughly $106 in today's money after adjusting for inflation.

Average Ticket Price: $12

Inflation Adjusted: $99

Attendance: 75,546

Super Bowl II was played on January 14, 1968, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Green Bay Packers, defending their title, won against the Oakland Raiders with a score of 33-14. The ticket prices remained the same as the previous year at $12, but when adjusted for inflation, that's about $99 in today's terms.

Average Ticket Price: $12

Inflation Adjusted: $95

Attendance: 75,389

Interestingly, this was one of the only two Super Bowls held in the same stadium in back-to-back years. It was a game remembered for officially bearing the name "Super Bowl" for the first time. In this iconic match, the New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts with a score of 16-7. 

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Average Ticket Price: $15

Inflation Adjusted: $112

Attendance: 80,562

Played on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Super Bowl IV marked a significant moment as the last AFL-NFL World Championship Game before the merger. In this historic matchup, the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the NFL's Minnesota Vikings with a score of 23-7. Tickets for this game were priced a bit higher at $15 each, which is about $112 when adjusted for today's inflation.

Related: The Cost of a Beer and Hot Dog at Every NFL Stadium

Average Ticket Price: $15

Inflation Adjusted: $106

Attendance: 79,204

Held on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, the fifth edition of the Super Bowl marked the clash between the AFC-champion Baltimore Colts and the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys. The Colts emerged victorious with a tight score of 16-13, sealing the win with a field goal just five seconds before the game's end. Tickets for this game were priced at $15 each — which, when adjusted for inflation, comes out to about $106 in today's money.

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Average Ticket Price: $15

Inflation Adjusted: $103

Attendance: 81,023

Football fans paid just $15 to witness Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The showdown was between the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys and the AFC champion Miami Dolphins.

Related: The 10 Most Expensive Super Bowl Ads Ever

Average Ticket Price:$15

Inflation Adjusted: $99

Attendance: $90,182

Super Bowl VII, played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, cost fans $15, or roughly $90,182 in today's money. The Miami Dolphins secured their first Super Bowl victory with a score of 14-7, becoming the only team in modern NFL history to complete a perfect undefeated season. This game marked the second time the Super Bowl was hosted in Los Angeles and was notable for its warm kickoff temperature of 84°F (29°C).

Average Ticket Price: $15

Inflation Adjusted: $91

Attendance: 71,882

Fans paid just $15 to attend Super Bowl VIII, held on January 13, 1974, at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. It was a noteworthy event, as it was the first time the Super Bowl was hosted at a venue not affiliated with an NFL franchise. The Astrodome, with a seating capacity of just over 50,000, was deemed too small for the Super Bowl at that time. This game also marked the first Super Bowl not held in the Los Angeles, Miami, or New Orleans areas. When adjusted for inflation, that $15 ticket would be about $91 in today's money.

Average Ticket Price: $20

Inflation Adjusted: $108

Attendance: 80,997

The ticket price for Super Bowl IX had gone up a bit, costing fans $20. The game occurred on January 12, 1975, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, where The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged as victors against the Minnesota Vikings, securing their first Super Bowl championship with a score of 16-6.

Average Ticket Price: $20

Inflation Adjusted: $101

Attendance: 80,187

For the 10th-anniversary edition, Super Bowl X, fans could still grab a ticket for $20. The milestone game played at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, on January 18, 1976,  saw the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Dallas Cowboys, securing their Super Bowl championship.

Average Ticket Price: $20

Inflation Adjusted: $96

Attendance: 103,438

Super Bowl XI saw the Raiders defeat the Vikings with a score of 32–14, securing their first Super Bowl victory at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It holds the distinction of being the earliest scheduled calendar date for a Super Bowl.

Average Ticket Price: $30

Inflation Adjusted: $135

Attendance: 75,583

For Super Bowl XII, fans saw the ticket price increase to $30, which is around $135 after inflation. The Dallas Cowboys secured their second Super Bowl title by defeating the Denver Broncos with a score of 27–10. This historic game took place on January 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, marking the first Super Bowl held in a domed stadium and the first time the game was played during prime time in the Eastern United States.

Average Ticket Price: $30

Inflation Adjusted: $123

Attendance: 79,484

The Steelers defeated the Cowboys with a score of 35–31 at the Miami Orange Bowl in the fifth and last Super Bowl played in that stadium. 

Average Ticket Price: $30

Inflation Adjusted:$108

Attendance: 103,985

Super Bowl XIV, held on January 20, 1980, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, featured a showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams. The Steelers emerged victorious, becoming the first team to win four Super Bowls.

Average Ticket Price: $40

Inflation Adjusted: $129

Attendance: 76,135

In Super Bowl XV, held on January 25, 1981, at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Raiders triumphed over the Eagles with a score of 27–10. This victory marked a historic moment, as the Raiders became the first wild card playoff team to win a Super Bowl. The ticket price for this game increased to $40, which is equivalent to $129 today.

Average Ticket Price: $40

Inflation Adjusted: $119

Attendance: 81,270

Super Bowl XVI, played on January 24, 1982, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan saw San Francisco 49ers defeating the Cincinnati Bengals with a score of 26–21. It marked the first time a Super Bowl was held in a cold-weather city, and the game became one of the most-watched broadcasts in American television history, with over 85 million viewers.

Average Ticket Price: $40

Inflation Adjusted: $115

Attendance: 103,667

Super Bowl XVII, played on January 30, 1983, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, saw the Washington Redskins defeat the Miami Dolphins with a score of 27–17, earning their first Super Bowl championship. In 1983, the Super Bowl introduced modern ticket pricing practices, ending the era of stable prices that had been the norm until then.

Average Ticket Price: $60

Inflation Adjusted: $166

Attendance: 72,920

Super Bowl XVIII took place on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium featuring NFC champion Washington Redskins and the AFC champion Los Angeles Raiders. The Raiders secured a dominant victory, defeating the Redskins with a score of 38–9. Notably, the ticket price for this game was $60, which, when adjusted for inflation, is approximately $166 today. This marked a substantial increase in ticket prices compared to previous Super Bowls.

Average Ticket Price: $60

Inflation Adjusted: $160

Attendance: 84,059

Super Bowl XIX witnessed the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Miami Dolphins with a score of 38–16, securing their second Super Bowl victory. The game took place on January 20, 1985, at Stanford Stadium, located on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California.

Average Ticket Price: $75

Inflation Adjusted: $192

Attendance: 73,818

Held on January 26, 1986, at the Superdome in New Orleans, Super Bowl XX marked another significant jump in ticket prices. The average ticket price for this game was $75, which, when adjusted for inflation, equals approximately $192 today. This Super Bowl saw the Chicago Bears defeat the New England Patriots with a score of 46–10.

Average Ticket Price: $75

Inflation Adjusted: $190

Attendance: 101,063

The 21st edition of the Super Bowl took place on January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game saw the New York Giants face off against the Denver Broncos. The Giants secured their first Super Bowl victory and their first NFL title since 1956 with a score of 39–20.

Average Ticket Price: $100

Inflation Adjusted: $243

Attendance: 73,302

Held on January 31, 1988, at the Jack Murphy Stadium in sunny San Diego, California, Super Bowl XXII saw ticket prices climb to an average of $100 — about $243 in today's dollars. The Washington Redskins emerged victorious against the Denver Broncos, with a resounding score of 42–10, securing their second Super Bowl win. 

Average Ticket Price: $100

Inflation Adjusted: $232

Attendance: 75,129

Super Bowl XXII was the very first Super Bowl in Miami that wasn't held at the Orange Bowl but at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami (now part of the suburb of Miami Gardens). It marked a return to the Miami area after a decade and witnessed San Francisco 49ers winning their third Super Bowl against the Bengals with a score of 20–16. 

Average Ticket Price: $125

Inflation Adjusted: $276

Attendance: 72,919

The 24th edition of the Super Bowl marked another jump in the ticket price, with the average ticket going for $125 — around $276 in today's dollars. The game took place on January 28, 1990, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, and saw the (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers defeating the Denver Broncos 55–10, winning their second consecutive Super Bowl.

Average Ticket Price: $150

Inflation Adjusted: $313

Attendance: 73,813

The New York Giants faced off against the Buffalo Bills in a nail-biter of a game at Super Bowl XXV, held on January 27, 1991, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Giants emerged victorious with a narrow score of 20–19, securing their second Super Bowl title.

Average Ticket Price: $150

Inflation Adjusted: $305

Attendance: 63,130

Super Bowl XXVI was held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was a historic clash between the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills. The Redskins secured their victory with a score of 37–24, becoming the fourth team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls. Sadly for the Bills, it was their second consecutive year of Super Bowl heartbreak, joining the ranks of the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos as the only teams to lose back-to-back Super Bowls.

Average Ticket Price: $175

Inflation Adjusted:$345

Attendance: 98,374

Featuring an average ticket price of $175 — which, when adjusted for inflation, amounts to approximately $345 today — Super Bowl XXVII took place on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and saw a matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys secured a victory with a score of 52–17, marking their third Super Bowl win and their first in 15 years.

Average Ticket Price: $175

Inflation Adjusted: $337

Attendance: 72,817

Super Bowl XXVIII saw yet another victory by the Dallas Cowboys over the Buffalo Bills with a score of 30–13. It marked the Cowboys' second consecutive Super Bowl win and their fourth in team history, putting them on par with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers for the most Super Bowl wins. On the other side of the field, the Buffalo Bills became the only team to both play and lose four consecutive Super Bowls.

Average Ticket Price: $200

Inflation Adjusted: $374

Attendance: 74,107

Super Bowl XXIX witnessed the San Francisco 49ers defeating the San Diego Chargers with a score of 49–26, making them the first team to win five Super Bowl championships. This historic game took place on January 29, 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. It was the first Super Bowl to be played in the area after Hurricane Andrew had ravaged the city in 1992. 

Average Ticket Price: $275 to $350

Inflation Adjusted: $501 to $637

Attendance: 76,347

Prices started skyrocketing for Super Bowl XXX, with tickets ranging from $275 to $350. The high-stakes game took place on January 28, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, where the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers with a score of 27–17. This triumph marked the fifth Super Bowl win in the history of the Cowboys. 

Average Ticket Price: $275

Inflation Adjusted: $486

Attendance: 72,301

On January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the Green Bay Packers secured a victory with a score of 35–21 over the New England Patriots. Super Bowl XXXI marked the end of a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive Super Bowl victories by the NFC over the AFC, showcasing the NFC's dominance during that era.

Average Ticket Price: $275

Inflation Adjusted: $478

Attendance: 68,912

Super Bowl XXXII, played on January 25, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, saw the Denver Broncos facing off against the Green Bay Packers. The Broncos emerged victorious with a score of 31–24, earning the NFL championship for the 1997 season.

Average Ticket Price:$325

Inflation Adjusted: $556

Attendance: 74,803

Taking place on January 31, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida, the AFC champion and defending Super Bowl XXXII champion Denver Broncos faced off against the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos defeated the Falcons with a final score of 34–19, securing their second consecutive Super Bowl victory. 

Average Ticket Price: $325

Inflation Adjusted: $541

Attendance: 72,625

On January 30, 2000, football fans gathered at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, for the 34th edition of the Super Bowl. The showdown featured the St. Louis Rams facing off against the Tennessee Titans. The Rams ultimately emerged victorious with a final score of 23–16, securing the coveted NFL championship for the 1999 season.

Average Ticket Price: $325

Inflation Adjusted:$522

Attendance: 71,921

On January 28, 2001, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, the Baltimore Ravens (AFC champions) defeated the New York Giants (NFC champions) 34–7 in Super Bowl XXXV, marking the Ravens' first Super Bowl victory as a wild card team.

Average Ticket Price: $400

Inflation Adjusted: $635

Attendance: 72,922

Football fans paid $400 — equivalent to $635 after inflation — to watch Super Bowl XXXVI, where the underdog New England Patriots (AFC champions) triumphed over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams (NFC champions) with a score of 20–17.

Average Ticket Price: $500

Inflation Adjusted: $774

Attendance: 67,603

Yet another year saw a significant price increase for tickets, with fans paying $500 for Super Bowl XXXVII. This game, determining the NFL champion for the 2002 season, took place at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the Oakland Raiders. The Buccaneers emerged victorious with a score of 48–21, marking their first Super Bowl win.

Average Ticket Price:$600

Inflation Adjusted:$911

Attendance: 71,525

Super Bowl XXXVIII, famously hailed as one of the most thrilling and well-played in history, saw the New England Patriots narrowly defeat the Carolina Panthers 32–29. Held on February 1, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, this game set a record as the most-watched Super Bowl ever at that time, with 89.8 million viewers.

Average Ticket Price: $600

Inflation Adjusted: $885

Attendance: 78,125

With tickets priced at $600, Super Bowl XXXIX saw the New England Patriots defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 24–21. The game, held on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, marked the first Super Bowl hosted in that city.

Average Ticket Price: $700

Inflation Adjusted: $992

Attendance: 68,206

The 40th Super Bowl had an average ticket price of $700, amounting to $992 when adjusted for inflation. Super Bowl XL, determining the NFL champion for the 2005 season, was played on February 5, 2006, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged victorious over the Seattle Seahawks with a score of 21–10.

Average Ticket Price: $700

Inflation Adjusted: $972

Attendance: 74,512

Super Bowl XLI turned up the heat on February 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where the Indianapolis Colts clinched a cool 29–17 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Average Ticket Price: $900

Inflation Adjusted: $1,199

Attendance: 71,101

As the Super Bowl slowly transformed into a luxury event, fans faced a steep ticket price of $900 for Super Bowl XLII, which, adjusted for inflation, comes to about $1,199. The game, played on February 3, 2008, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, saw the underdog New York Giants clinch a surprising 17–14 victory over the heavily favored New England Patriots, making it one of the most memorable upsets in professional sports and a highlight in Super Bowl history.

Average Ticket Price: $1,000

Inflation Adjusted: $1,332

Attendance: 70,774

Super Bowl XLIII marked a milestone with the first-ever $1,000 ticket price, soaring to $1,332 when adjusted for inflation. On February 1, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–23, earning their record sixth Super Bowl championship. 

Average Ticket Price: $1,000

Inflation Adjusted:$1,297

Attendance: 74,059

On February 7, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the New Orleans Saints faced off against the AFC champions, the Indianapolis Colts. The underdog Saints secured their first-ever Super Bowl victory by defeating the Colts with a score of 31–17.

Average Ticket Price: $1,200

Inflation Adjusted: $1,532

Attendance: 103,219

Super Bowl XLV, held on February 6, 2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was a show down between the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFC champion Green Bay Packers. With ticket prices averaging $1200, football fans witnessed an intense battle that ended with the Packers securing a 31–25 victory over the Steelers, making them the champions of the 2010 NFL season.

Average Ticket Price: $1,200

Inflation Adjusted: $1,488

Attendance: 68,658

Super Bowl XLVI, held on February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, featured a matchup between the NFC champion New York Giants and the AFC champion New England Patriots. The Giants secured a 21–17 victory, claiming the championship title for the 2011 NFL season.

Average Ticket Price: $1,250

Inflation Adjusted: $1,526

Attendance: 71,024

Hosted for the tenth time in NOLA at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Superdome, on February 3, 2013, Super Bowl XLVII saw the Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 34–31. In doing so, the Ravens handed the 49ers their first-ever Super Bowl loss in franchise history. 

Average Ticket Price: $1,500

Inflation Adjusted: $1,803

Attendance: 82,529

Super Bowl XLVIII brought football fans to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with tickets averaging a hefty $1,500. The game saw the Denver Broncos in a face off with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks dominated with a remarkable 43–8 victory over the Broncos, marking their first Super Bowl win and handing the Broncos their fifth Super Bowl loss, a record at the time.

Average Ticket Price: $2,000

Inflation Adjusted: $2,406

Attendance: 70,288

Super Bowl XLIX, held on February 1, 2015, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, saw ticket prices soaring to $2,000. The game determined the NFL champions for the 2014 season, with the New England Patriots defeating the Seattle Seahawks with a score of 28–24. The Patriots' victory marked their fourth Super Bowl win, ending a 10-year championship drought.

Average Ticket Price: $2,500

Inflation Adjusted: $2,967

Attendance: 71,088

In a special edition of the Super Bowl held in 2016, football fans paid $2,500 to celebrate the Super Bowl 50 golden anniversary. In a departure from tradition, the NFL used Arabic numerals ("50"). The game was held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where the Denver Broncos emerged victorious by defeating the Carolina Panthers with a final score of 24–10.

Average Ticket Price: $2,500

Inflation Adjusted:$2,894

Attendance: 70,807

Super Bowl LI, played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on February 5, 2017, saw the New England Patriots stage a remarkable comeback to defeat the Atlanta Falcons with a final score of 34–28. The game marked the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, with the Patriots erasing a 28–3 deficit in the third quarter, leading to the nickname "28–3." It was also the first Super Bowl to be decided in overtime.

Average Ticket Price: $2,500

Inflation Adjusted: $2,836

Attendance: 67,612

Super Bowl LII, held on February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the New England Patriots 41–33, with the Eagles winning their first Super Bowl and becoming NFL champions.

Average Ticket Price:$2,900 – $4,300

Inflation Adjusted: $3,239 – $4,803

Attendance: 70,081

With ticket prices ranging from $2,900 to $4,300, Super Bowl LIII, played on February 3, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, was quite an expensive spectacle. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams with a final score of 13-3.

Average Ticket Price: $7,172

Inflation Adjusted: $7,816

Attendance: 62,417

A month before the pandemic hit, football fans were shelling out an average ticket price of $7,172 to witness Super Bowl LIV. On February 2, 2020, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the Kansas City Chiefs secured a 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Average Ticket Price: $8,609

Inflation Adjusted: $9,253

Attendance: 24,835

In a unique edition due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Super Bowl LV had a limited stadium seating capacity of just 25,000 fans, making it the least attended in history. The ticket prices soared, with an average price of $8,609. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the defending AFC and Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 31–9. 

Average Ticket Price: $10,322

Attendance: 70,048

Football fans had to dig deep into their wallets to witness Super Bowl LVI, with tickets priced at a whopping $10,322. The Los Angeles Rams clinched a nail-biting 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the Rams' home turf. 

Average Ticket Price: $8,907

Attendance: 67,827

While the ticket prices for Super Bowl LVII were relatively cheaper compared to the previous year in 2022, they still came at a significant cost. With an average ticket price of $8,907, attending the sporting event remained a luxury for football fans. In the showdown at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles.