The Chiefs finished the regular season with a 15–2 record, tied for league best, and entered the game with ambitions of achieving the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat, having won Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 and Super Bowl LVII in 2023. The Eagles posted a 14–3 record with the aid of an improved offense and the league's top-ranked defense, making their fifth Super Bowl appearance.
Although Super Bowl LIX was expected to be a close contest, the Eagles dominated the game. The Chiefs did not score until the waning moments of the third quarter and gained only 23 yards in the first half, the second-lowest first-half yardage in Super Bowl history. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes turned the ball over three times, including a 38-yard pick-six by Cooper DeJean, who became only the second rookie in Super Bowl history to return an interception for a touchdown. Philadelphia took advantage of their powerful defensive performance and the Chiefs' offensive struggles to build an insurmountable 34-point lead by the time of the Chiefs' first score. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who scored three touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing), completed 17 of 22 attempts for 221 yards, and set the Super Bowl record for quarterback rushing yards with 72, was named Super Bowl MVP.
The game was played on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.[7] The eleventh Super Bowl played in New Orleans, it was the eighth in the Superdome and the first since Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.[8] The game was televised in the United States by Fox and streamed on Tubi.[9] The broadcast was watched by 127.7 million viewers in the United States, with an average of 14.5 million viewers coming from streaming platforms.[10]
On May 23, 2018, the league originally selected New Orleans as the site for Super Bowl LVIII, then tentatively scheduled for February 4, 2024.[8] In March 2020, the league and the NFLPA agreed to expand the regular season from 16 to 17 games starting in 2021, pushing Super Bowl LVIII to February 11, 2024, and causing a conflict with New Orleans's Mardi Gras celebrations.[11] On October 14, 2020, the league decided to move Super Bowl LVIII to another city (Las Vegas was later chosen) and awarded Super Bowl LIX to New Orleans instead, as Mardi Gras in 2025 is not until March 4, thus avoiding any conflicts.[12]
Logo
The official logo for Super Bowl LIX was unveiled on February 12, 2024, and follows the logo template established since Super Bowl LVI, with the Roman numerals featuring imagery representing the host city/region. The Roman numerals contain artwork by local artist "Queen" Tahj Williams[13]—a figure in the community of Mardi Gras Indians.[14] It marks the first time the NFL has collaborated with a local artist on the design of a Super Bowl emblem.[13]
Super Bowl organizers said they would review security procedures in the wake of the truck attack incident on Bourbon Street on January 1, 2025, in which 15 people were killed and dozens were injured, delaying the 2025 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome to the following day. Tourism official Walt Leger III said on New Year's Day that the priority would be on the immediate response to the attack but "[t]here will be more deep conversations in the coming days and weeks to discuss possible enhancements for the Super Bowl."[16] Meanwhile, the NFL released a statement assuring that the game would be a "safe and enjoyable" experience.[17]
Slogan
On February 3, 2025, league officials announced that the "End Racism" slogan, which debuted at the end zone of Super Bowl LV, will be reworded to "Choose Love" during the game. Although at least one high-ranking NFL official had expressed concern in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on racism, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said that he made the choice in light of such recent events as the New Orleans truck attack, the January 2025 Southern California wildfires, and the Potomac River mid-air collision. The slogan "It Takes All of Us" remained in the end zone.[18] Goodell had earlier reaffirmed his league's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts despite efforts at such having been scaled back by a number of other American corporations since 2024.[19]
The Super Bowl LIX Host Committee hosted a special Mardi Gras–styled parade through the French Quarter on the Saturday before the game. The parade featured appearances by the LSU, Tulane, and Marine Corps marching bands, themed floats representing the participating teams (featuring mascots, cheerleaders, and family members of players), and contributions from various krewes and organizations associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans—including the Baby Doll Ladies, Mardi Gras Indians, Endymion, Orpheus, and Bacchus (whose float carried grand marshal Todd Graves). Unlike the official Mardi Gras parades, this parade would be underwritten by various sponsors (including sponsorship of specific floats and contingents, and a hitch of Budweiser Clydesdales participating in the parade themselves); city ordinances prohibit parades held during the official Mardi Gras period (which begins February 21) from having corporate sponsorships.[21]
Boycott
Calls were made for a boycott of the game, making claims of officiating misconduct in the Chiefs' favor during the 2024 season, particularly the AFC Championship Game.[22] Prices for tickets to the game on the secondary market collapsed following the AFC Championship Game, falling roughly 30% compared to resale tickets for Super Bowl LVIII; Brett Goldberg, co-owner of TickPick, suggested New Orleans's relatively low hotel capacity was a factor in the sharp decline, but that Chiefs fatigue was also a factor: "I think if the Bills won, you would've seen a very different dynamic here."[23] In Buffalo, Bills Mafia co-founder Del Reid lent his support to "not-watch parties" to give disgruntled Bills fans an opportunity to socialize out of the house without being subjected to the game.[24]
Both commissioner Roger Goodell and Referees Association executive director Scott Green have denied accusations of wrongdoing, with Goodell suggesting that the notion of games being rigged or fixed in the Chiefs' favor is "a ridiculous theory" not to be taken seriously.[25] The boycott, despite not having a visible impact on overall national viewership, resulted in a marked decline in viewership in Buffalo, where the 237,000 viewers for the game was the lowest since people meters were introduced and a 25% drop from the 315,000 who watched the previous year's Super Bowl.[26]
The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl LIX attempting to become the first NFL team to win three Super Bowls in a row. Under head coachAndy Reid, the Chiefs finished the regular season 15–2, tied with the Detroit Lions for best regular-season record in the NFL.[28]
The team's quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, had lower stats than in previous seasons, missing the 4,000-yard passing mark and the Pro Bowl for the first time as a starter. However, he had seven game-winning drives, tied for second-most of all time.[29] Tight end Travis Kelce led the team in receiving yards (823), while running back Kareem Hunt led the team in rushing yards (728). Wide receiver Xavier Worthy had a productive rookie season with 742 yards and nine touchdowns.[30] The Chiefs acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a mid-season trade with the Tennessee Titans; Hopkins had 437 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in five starts.[31] The offensive line included Pro Bowlers Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith, with Thuney and Humphrey also being selected to the AP All-Pro team.[32]
The Chiefs' defense was headlined by All-Pros defensive tackle Chris Jones (5.0 sacks) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (two interceptions). Other notable players include George Karlaftis (8.0 sacks), Nick Bolton (106 tackles), and Justin Reid (87 tackles). They were a top-four defense for the second straight year under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.[citation needed]
Super Bowl LIX marked the seventh Super Bowl appearance for the Chiefs, who won Super Bowls IV, LIV, LVII, and LVIII, while losing Super Bowls I and LV. They played in the Super Bowl four times in the past five seasons, winning three of them. The Chiefs became the first team to win two consecutive Super Bowls and play in a Super Bowl the following season; the previous eight teams to win two consecutive Super Bowls failed to appear in the game for a third consecutive season.[33] They attempted the first "three-peat" of three consecutive Super Bowl wins (with the league securing a trademark license from Pat Riley to allow the use of the word commercially),[34] the first time the same team would have won the NFL Championship three times in a row since the Green Bay Packers achieved the feat from 1965 to 1967, which included their wins of the first two Super Bowls.[35]
Quarterback Jalen Hurts had an efficient season, with career highs in completion percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating, and only five interceptions. However, he only attempted 361 passes due to the high workload from first-team All-Pro RB Saquon Barkley, who became the ninth player in league history with 2,000 rushing yards in a season.[37] Hurts also missed the final three games in the regular season due to a concussion and broken finger, but he returned for the playoffs. The Eagles receiving corps included second-team All-Pro WR A. J. Brown (1,079 yards), WR DeVonta Smith (833 yards), and TE Dallas Goedert (496 yards). The offensive line was one of the best in the league, with Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, and Lane Johnson making the Pro Bowl, as well as Johnson and Jordan Mailata being selected as All-Pros.[38]
The Chiefs entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC and earned a first-round bye. In the Divisional Round, they defeated the Houston Texans, 23–14. In the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills, 32–29, making it the fourth time in five seasons that the Chiefs defeated the Bills in the playoffs. The victory was with some controversy, particularly with a disputed spotting of the ball that ended a Bills drive with a turnover on downs, giving the Chiefs the opportunity for the go-ahead score.[40][41][42]
The Eagles went into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. In the Wild Card Round, they defeated the Green Bay Packers, 22–10. In the Divisional Round, the Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 28–22. The Eagles went on to defeat the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, 55–23, setting a record for the most points scored in a conference championship game.[43]
This was the eleventh Super Bowl in New Orleans and the first since Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. It was also the second Super Bowl in New Orleans for both the Chiefs and the Eagles. The Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium, which was also the first Super Bowl played in New Orleans. The Eagles lost in their previous Super Bowl appearance in New Orleans, falling to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV at the then-named Louisiana Superdome.[45]
As the designated home team in the Super Bowl's annual rotation between the two conferences, the Eagles chose to wear their midnight green home jerseys with white pants. The Chiefs wore their white away jerseys with red pants. Both teams matched the uniforms they wore in Super Bowl LVII.[46][47]
As the designated home team, the Eagles practiced at the host New Orleans Saints' practice facility in Metairie, Louisiana, the week leading up to the game, while the Chiefs held their practices at Tulane University in New Orleans.[48]
Like Super Bowl LVII, this game was dubbed the "Andy Reid Bowl".[49] Reid is the winningest head coach in both Philadelphia and Kansas City's team history. As the Eagles’ head coach from 1999 to 2012, Reid compiled a 130–93–1 (.583) record, and won one NFC Championship. As the Chiefs’ head coach since 2013, Reid had a 143–53 (.730) record, five AFC Championships, and three Super Bowl victories.[50]
As in Super Bowl LVIII, this game was dubbed by some as the "Swiftie Bowl" (or "Swiftie Bowl II") due to the high-profile relationship between Chiefs tight endTravis Kelce and pop starTaylor Swift, and Swift's frequent presence at Chiefs games.[51][52] A survey conducted by LendingTree in early January determined that Swift's association with the league had a polarizing effect on its fan base; it noted 14% of respondents had increased interest in the league because of Swift but that 10% had lost interest because of her and 17% now hated her influence on the NFL.[53]
Like previous Super Bowls involving the Chiefs, Kansas City Indian Center and Not in Our Honor Coalition called for the team to change its name and stop the use of the tomahawk chop. The team is not directly named for Native Americans; "Chief" was the nickname of Kansas City mayor Harold Roe Bartle when the team moved to Kansas City. Bartle was not a Native American; his nickname came from his history of dressing up as Native Americans while leading a Boy Scout camp.[54][55]
During the team introductions, actor Jon Hamm introduced the Chiefs and actor Bradley Cooper introduced the Eagles.
A moment of silence for football executive Virginia Halas McCaskey who died three days earlier was held before "America the Beautiful" and the national anthem.
The season 3 premiere of Fox's game show The Floor aired after the game.[66] Beginning in January 2025, the Fox series Kitchen Nightmares aired a series of "Road to Super Bowl LIX" episodes during the first half of its ninth season, which primarily featured restaurants in the New Orleans area, and featured guest appearances by NFL players and personalities.[67] As part of its Super Bowl week programming, Fox scheduled special broadcast television airings of the Fox Sports 1 lineup of weekday studio programming (including The Herd with Colin Cowherd among others) from New Orleans on February 7.[56]
Fox Corporation announced, based on preliminary Nielsen data and internal Tubi measurements, the game was watched by an average of 126 million people across all channels and streaming services, which would make it the most-watched Super Bowl in history.[68] Viewership peaked at around 135.7 million during the second quarter.[69] This increase was largely due to changes in the audience measurement methodologies that added out-of-home viewing in smaller media markets that had not been counted in previous years,[70][71] as well as a major spike in online viewing, as Fox reported that 13.6 million of those viewers came from the Tubi broadcast and 900,000 viewers from NFL+.[72] Direct streaming comparisons are not possible because Paramount+, which had streamed the previous year's Super Bowl, did not make its data public.[73] Nielsen revised that number upward to 127.7 million the next day, adding in 1.87 million viewers who watched the Spanish language simulcasts.[74]Samba TV measurements calculated a 5% decline compared to the previous year.[75]
Advertising
In August 2024, before the beginning of the 2024 NFL regular season, Fox announced that it had sold most of its advertising slots for Super Bowl LIX. The 30-second ad slots were priced at $7 million each. This sale included the main event inventory and additional slots typically reserved by the network.[6] Citing unexpected commitments emerging from the 2025 California wildfires, several advertisers withdrew from the game, such as State Farm; this allowed Fox to resell these ad slots at a higher rate. According to reports, several of the newly available slots were sold for $8 million each.[6] Interest in advertising extended to Fox's pre-game show; traditionally, ads during the pre-game show sold for around $2 million for 30-second slots. For Super Bowl LIX, prices rose to $4.5 million for these slots, reflecting increased demand.[6]
The Super Bowl Ad Meter survey conducted by USA Today was won by Budweiser for its commercial "First Delivery", its first win on the survey since 2015.[76]Nike notably aired a commercial during the game for the first time since 1988, with an ad focusing upon and celebrating women's sports.[77][78] Doritos revived its "Crash the Super Bowl" promotion,[79] while debuting advertisers during the game included Bosch, Duracell, HexClad (the first cookware company to air an ad during the game), Instacart, Liquid Death, NerdWallet, OpenAI, Ritz, and Totino's.[79][80]Cetaphil aired an ad exclusive to the New Orleans market starring rapper and New Orleans native Lil Wayne; playing upon not having been chosen to play the game's halftime show, it notably teased the release date for his upcoming album Tha Carter VI.[81]
Kanye West bought local ad time on four Fox stations in which he promoted the website for his Yeezy brand from a dentist's chair.[82] After the ad aired, the only item available for purchase on the website's shop was a white T-shirt with a large swastika.[83] Kanye's website was taken down by Shopify a couple hours later.[84] Jack Abernethy, the CEO of Fox Television Stations, said that "The ad, which was presented as a legitimate online apparel site before and during the airing of the Super Bowl, was switched at some point afterwards", and condemned the website's content.[85]
Streaming
On January 15, 2025, Fox announced that its telecast of Super Bowl LIX would stream in English and Spanish on Tubi, Fox Corporation's free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform, for the first time, thereby returning the game to free Internet television without a paywall or TV Everywhere requirement; most of the networks except Fox have paywalled the stream since Super Bowl LVI.[86] Tubi streamed a digital-exclusive pre-game show hosted by Olivia Culpo—Tubi Red Carpet at Super Bowl LIX—which focused on pop culture topics relating to the game (such as celebrity attendees, and festivities around New Orleans). Emulating the traditional linear television lead-out, the Tubi app then directed viewers to the first episode of its original sitcom The Z-Suite, which premiered earlier in the week, following the conclusion of the telecast.[56][87]
Super Bowl LIX was broadcast in more than 150 countries on every continent except Antarctica, including:
Americas
In Canada, the game's broadcast rights were owned by Bell Media. The game was televised in English on Fox, TSN and CTV, subject to simultaneous substitution; RDS carried the French broadcast of the game. Additionally, the game was streamed on TSN+ and DAZN.
In Latin and South America, the game was televised by ESPN and its streaming and on-demand platform Disney+ in Spanish. English language commentary was available on ESPN3 across Latin America.
In Mexico, the game was televised by ESPN and Azteca 7 both in Spanish. Dedicated English language commentary was available on ESPN 3.
In Brazil, the game was televised by ESPN and RedeTV! and its streaming and on-demand platforms Disney+ in Portuguese (with English SAP) and NFL Game Pass on DAZN in English.
Additionally, in Ireland, the game was televised on channel Virgin Media Two and on streaming service Virgin Media Play, both showing a simulcast of ITV1 at the time. It was carried on radio via RTÉ Radio 1.
In Poland, the game was televised by free-to-air station Polsat, its second Super Bowl broadcast. The game aired on Polsat's sister sports station, Polsat Sport, and streamed on Polsat Box Go and DAZN (only for NFL Game Pass subscribers).
In Czechia, the game was televised by Premier Sport 2.[91]
In Slovakia, the game was televised by Nova Sport.[91]
In New Zealand, the game was televised by TVNZ 1 and its streaming and on-demand platform TVNZ+, as well as ESPN through Sky Sport and NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
President Donald Trump - the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl - with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson and Johnson's wife, Kelly, at Super Bowl LIX.
Fox broadcast its pre-game show from a parade float-inspired stage on Bourbon Street. Fox Sports president of production Brad Zager said that, following the January 1, 2025 truck attack in New Orleans, "[we] felt stronger about the fact that we have to show the country that Bourbon Street's okay, that we owe it to Bourbon Street and we owe it to New Orleans to show that that event isn't going to stop the spirit of Bourbon Street".[95]
During its pre-game show, Fox aired an interview between Fox News anchor Bret Baier and President Donald Trump, resuming a tradition of Super Bowl presidential interviews that had been put on hold during Joe Biden's administration.[96] Trump was the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl.[97]
A. J. Brown (pictured in September 2021) scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts, which extended the Eagles' lead to 24–0.
After the Chiefs won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half, the Eagles received the opening kickoff, which was a touchback.[107][108][109] The Eagles' initial drive of six plays gained 20 yards to midfield; however, an offensive pass interference call on A. J. Brown negated a 32-yard pass on fourth down, forcing them to punt.[109] After a 53-yard punt by Braden Mann, the Chiefs' drive began on their own 12 following a 5-yard return by Nikko Remigio.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed his first pass 11 yards to JuJu Smith-Schuster for a first down. After a 1-yard pass and two incomplete throws, Matt Araiza punted 58 yards from the Chiefs' 24. The punt was returned 13 yards by Cooper DeJean, setting the Eagles up at their 31 to begin their second drive.[109] Subsequently, the Eagles put together a 7-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that included a 20-yard pass to Dallas Goedert.[110] Although Jahan Dotson caught a pass that was initially signaled a touchdown, he was ruled short of the goal line; regardless, Jalen Hurts scored with a quarterback sneak using the team's signature Tush Push play for a 1-yard touchdown.[109]
After another punt by the Chiefs, the Eagles got to the Chiefs' 30-yard line on an 11-play drive that ended with an interception thrown by Hurts to Bryan Cook at the Chiefs' 2-yard line at the start of the second quarter.[109] Despite this, the Chiefs went three-and-out again and after a Jake Elliott 48-yard field goal, Mahomes threw an interception to DeJean, who returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.[109] Both teams then traded punts before Mahomes threw another interception to Zack Baun shortly after the two-minute warning, which set up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to Brown, extending the Eagles' lead to 24–0 before halftime.[109]
Second half
DeAndre Hopkins (pictured in September 2020) caught a touchdown and a two-point conversion pass for the Chiefs in the fourth quarter.
The second half began with an Eagles kickoff, which resulted in a touchback. Despite gaining a first down with a pass to Xavier Worthy, Mahomes was sacked twice in the next two plays and the Chiefs' drive stalled at their own 37.[110] The Eagles responded by driving down the field 69 yards, including a 16-yard and 14-yard run by Hurts, which ended with a 29-yard field goal from Jake Elliott.[110]
The Chiefs' next drive took them five plays and 17 yards to their own 47-yard line. Facing a fourth down, a pass from Mahomes to DeAndre Hopkins fell incomplete after it was batted away by Avonte Maddox, resulting in a turnover on downs.[110][111] On the next play, Hurts threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, increasing the Eagles' score to 34.[110][112] The Chiefs responded with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Worthy at the end of the third quarter, but the two-point conversion from Mahomes to tight end Travis Kelce was unsuccessful.[110]
In the fourth quarter, after a 48-yard field goal from Elliott, Mahomes fumbled the ball on a strip sack by Milton Williams, which was recovered by Williams himself at the Chiefs' 18-yard line.[110] Although an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Williams, Elliott converted a 50-yard field goal attempt, making the score 40–6.[110] On the next drive, Mahomes threw a 7-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins for a touchdown; the corresponding 2-point conversion from Mahomes to Justin Watson was successful.[110] After an Eagles turnover on downs, Mahomes responded with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Worthy and another successful 2-point conversion with a pass to Hopkins, cutting the Chiefs' deficit to 18 points for a 40–22 score.[110] A subsequent onside kick was recovered by the Eagles, who ran out the clock.[110]
Game statistics
Philadelphia outperformed Kansas City on both sides of the ball. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was ultimately named Super Bowl MVP, completed 17 of 22 attempts for 221 yards, threw an interception, and scored three touchdowns: two passing, one rushing. He also rushed for 72 yards, setting a new record for quarterback rushing yards in the Super Bowl; Hurts had set the prior record of 70 yards in Super Bowl LVII.[113] The Eagles were less successful on the ground: their star running back, Saquon Barkley, rushed 25 times for 57 yards, averaging 2.3 yards per carry in what was, statistically speaking, one of his worst games of the season.[114] Nevertheless, Barkley's Super Bowl performance was enough for him to break Terrell Davis's record for combined single-season and postseason rushing yards, with 2,504.[115]
Analysts praised the Eagles defense, particularly the defensive line, for stifling Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense. Mahomes was sacked six times, threw two interceptions, and lost a fumble. He finished the game with 257 passing yards and three touchdowns, but much of these gains came late in the second half, when the contest was already considered to be decided.[116] In the first half, the Chiefs scored no points and only gained 23 yards, the lowest first-half yardage since the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX and the second-lowest overall. The Eagles did not blitz during the game, which was noted as a sign of the defensive line's success.[117]
Super Bowl LIX was also noted for its quality rookie play. Philadelphia rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean intercepted a pass from Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown, becoming the second rookie in Super Bowl history to achieve a pick-six, after Reggie Phillips in Super Bowl XX, as well as the first player in Super Bowl history to score a touchdown on his birthday.[118] Kansas City rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy set the rookie record for receiving yards and touchdowns in the Super Bowl, with 157 and 2, respectively.[119] He also became the first rookie to record 150 or more receiving yards in any playoff game.[117]
Box score
Super Bowl LIX – Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Super Bowl LIX featured seven officials, a replay-official, a replay assistant, and eight alternate officials. The numbers in parentheses below indicate their uniform numbers.[125]
^ITV1 is broadcast in England, Wales and ITV Border region in Scotland. STV is broadcast in the rest of Scotland, and UTV is broadcast in Northern Ireland
^Dominski, Michael (January 28, 2025). "Another Andy Reid Bowl". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
^Reedy, Joe (February 6, 2022). "Super Bowl/Olympics Sunday about to become routine for NBC". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2022. When the NFL's 11-year television contract starts in 2023, NBC's spot in the Super Bowl rotation lines up the same year as the Winter Olympics.
1 – Dates in the list denote the season, not necessarily the calendar year in which the championship game was played. For instance, Super Bowl LIV was played in 2020, but was the championship for the 2019 season.
2 – From 1966 to 1969, the first four Super Bowls were "World Championship" games played between two independent professional football leagues, AFL and NFL, and when the league merged in 1970 the Super Bowl became the NFL Championship Game.