As the 2026 Super Bowl festivities commence in Santa Clara, California, the event marks another chapter in the state’s rich history of hosting the NFL’s biggest game. California has played a significant role in the Super Bowl’s history, having hosted multiple championship games in various cities and venues since the inaugural game in 1967.
The first Super Bowl hosted in California was Super Bowl I, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on January 15, 1967. In that historic game, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. The Coliseum would again host Super Bowl VII in 1973, where the Miami Dolphins completed their perfect season by defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7.
Pasadena’s Rose Bowl became another iconic Super Bowl venue in California, starting with Super Bowl XI in 1977, when the Oakland Raiders topped the Minnesota Vikings 32-14. The Rose Bowl eventually hosted five Super Bowls in total, with the last being Super Bowl XXVII in 1993, where the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills 52-17.
San Diego also entered the rotation, hosting its first Super Bowl at Jack Murphy Stadium during Super Bowl XXII in 1988. Over the years, San Diego hosted three Super Bowls, with the final one being Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21.
Northern California joined the host list with Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara making its Super Bowl debut in 2016 for Super Bowl 50. In that game, the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10, marking Peyton Manning’s final NFL game and securing the Broncos’ third championship.
Los Angeles most recently reentered the Super Bowl scene with the opening of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Super Bowl LVI in 2022 saw the hometown Los Angeles Rams edge the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, offering a thrilling close to the NFL season.
With its combination of world-class venues and favorable weather, California continues to be a popular destination for the Super Bowl. The ongoing 2026 festivities in Santa Clara add to the legacy, reinforcing the state’s strong connection to professional football’s most celebrated event.
