The first Super Bowl in 1967 was a landmark event that introduced professional football to a national television audience. Understanding how much were tickets for the first Super Bowl helps explain the early pricing of premium sports entertainment.
While modern Super Bowl tickets often exceed thousands of dollars, the original price point reflected a very different market. This article breaks down the specific costs, context, and legacy of ticket pricing from that historic game.
| Season | Game | Ticket Price Range | Approximate Cost (Adjusted to 2024 USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 NFL Season | First AFL-NFL Championship Game | $12 to $42 (Official Face Value) | $110 to $390 |
| 1967 | Played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Resale Market Up to $100+ | Up to $930 |
| 1967 | Capacity Attendance (~61,000) | High Demand Despite Modest Prices | N/A |
| 2024 Comparison | Average Ticket Price Today | Often $5,000 to $10,000+ | Reflects Market Inflation and Scarcity |
Original Pricing And Market Context
Face Value Versus Actual Cost
The official ticket price for seats to the first Super Bowl ranged from $12 for the highest upper sections to $42 for lower-level seating near the field. These prices were intended to make the event accessible to a wide audience.
However, the massive demand for a novel championship game meant that tickets were quickly resold on the secondary market for many times the face value. Scalpers and fans eager to witness history pushed prices well above the original range.
Venue And Attendance Factors
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Limitations
The game was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue with a capacity of over 61,000 for the event. Despite the large size, the layout and sightlines created a unique spectator experience compared to modern stadiums.
Because the stadium was not configured specifically for football, some fans felt removed from the action. This spatial dynamic influenced both the perceived value of tickets and the secondary market interest.
Legacy And Long Term Value
Historical Significance Driving Prices
Today, tickets to the first Super Bowl are unobtainable, as none were sold to the general public at prices that reflected long term historical importance. The $12 to $42 tickets are now considered priceless artifacts of sports history.
Collectors and historians estimate that if original tickets had survived, their value could easily reach tens of thousands of dollars due to their role in launching a cultural tradition.
Context For Modern Ticket Prices
How The First Super Bowl Compares
Comparing the modest original prices of the first Super Bowl with today’s costs highlights the dramatic inflation and commercialization of major sporting events. What began as an affordable evening out has become a symbol of extreme spending in sports entertainment.
Understanding this shift helps explain why fans and analysts focus so much attention on ticket prices, viewing them as a direct measure of the event’s cultural weight.
Key Takeaways
- Original face value prices ranged from $12 to $42 in 1967 dollars.
- Secondary market prices rose sharply due to high demand and limited supply.
- The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum hosted the historic game with large capacity but imperfect sightlines.
- Today, these tickets are invaluable as historical artifacts with no direct market price.
- Modern Super Bowl tickets are significantly more expensive in real terms, reflecting changes in sports economics.
FAQ
Reader questions
How much did an official ticket for the first Super Bowl actually cost?
Official face value prices ranged from $12 to $42 depending on seating location, with most standard tickets priced around $12 to $20.
Were tickets easy to buy directly from the organizers for the first Super Bowl?
Tickets were available through ticket offices and authorized sellers, but they sold out quickly due to high public interest in the new championship format.
What was the highest price someone paid for a ticket to the first Super Bowl at the time?
resale prices reached over $100 in some areas, with reports of fans paying premium amounts for last minute entry.
How does the price of the first Super Bowl ticket compare to modern Super Bowl tickets?
When adjusted for inflation, the original tickets would be equivalent to roughly $110 to $390 today, yet modern tickets routinely cost several thousand dollars due to market demand and commercialization.