What Is the Super Bowl? A Simple Guide to the 2026 Big Game

This Super Bowl guide explains everything you need to know about America’s biggest football game. Whether you’re a first-time viewer or a curious fan, read on to understand why the Super Bowl captivates millions worldwide.

Have you ever heard people talking about the Super Bowl and wondered what it is? You are not alone! Every year, millions of people around the world watch the Super Bowl. It is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. In this guide, we will explain what the Super Bowl is, how it works, and why so many people love it — in a way that is easy to understand for everyone, even if you have never watched a football game before.

What Is the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League, or the NFL. The NFL is the top professional American football league in the United States. Think of it like a final match. Just like in soccer, where teams compete to win a trophy at the end of the season, NFL teams compete all year long for the chance to play in the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl is played once a year, usually in early February. The two best teams in the NFL face each other in one big game. The team that wins is called the NFL Champion for that year.

What Is American Football?

American football is a sport played between two teams of 11 players. Each team tries to carry or throw an oval-shaped ball called a football into the other team’s end zone to score points. That is called a touchdown, and it is worth 6 points.

Teams can also score in other ways:

• Field goal – Kicking the ball through two tall posts (worth 3 points)
• Extra point – A short kick after a touchdown (worth 1 point)
• Two-point conversion – Running or passing into the end zone after a touchdown (worth 2 points)
• Safety – When a player with the ball is tackled in their own end zone (worth 2 points for the other team)

The game is played in four periods called quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. The team with the most points at the end wins.

How Do Teams Get to the Super Bowl?

The NFL has 32 teams divided into two groups: the AFC (American Football Conference) and the NFC (National Football Conference). Each group has 16 teams.

During the regular season, each team plays 17 games. After the regular season ends, the best teams from each conference enter the playoffs. The playoffs are a series of knock-out games. The winner of the AFC playoffs and the winner of the NFC playoffs then meet in the Super Bowl.

So the Super Bowl is always AFC vs. NFC — the two best teams from each side going head to head.

When and Where Is Super Bowl LX (60)?

Super Bowl LX is the 60th Super Bowl in history. It is scheduled to be played on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — home of the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the second time Levi’s Stadium hosts the Super Bowl, the first being Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

The Roman numeral “LX” means 60. Each Super Bowl gets a Roman numeral name to mark which number it is. For example, Super Bowl I was the very first one, played back in 1967.

Why Is the Super Bowl So Popular?

The Super Bowl is not just a football game. It is a huge event that the whole country — and many people around the world — watch together. Here are some of the reasons why it is so popular:

• The Halftime Show – During the break in the middle of the game, there is a massive live music performance. Famous artists and pop stars perform for millions of viewers. Past performers have included Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and many more.
• The Commercials – Companies pay millions of dollars to show short advertisements during the Super Bowl. These ads are often funny, creative, or surprising, and many people watch just to see them.
• Parties and Food – Super Bowl Sunday is a big social event. Many people host or attend parties, and popular foods include pizza, chicken wings, nachos, and dips.
• Exciting Games – Even people who do not usually watch football often tune in, because Super Bowl games are often close and exciting until the very last second.

How Many People Watch the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched television events in history. In 2024, Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers was watched by an estimated 123 million viewers in the United States alone — making it the most-watched TV program ever recorded in the U.S. at that time. It was also watched by hundreds of millions more around the world.

Super Bowl LX in 2026 is expected to attract a similarly massive audience, especially as the NFL continues to grow in popularity internationally.

What Is the Lombardi Trophy?

The winning team of the Super Bowl receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. It is a silver trophy shaped like a football on a stand. The trophy is named after Vince Lombardi, a legendary football coach who led the Green Bay Packers to win the first two Super Bowls.

Every player on the winning team gets a large Super Bowl ring — a special ring decorated with gems and the team’s logo. These rings are considered one of the most prized symbols in American sports.

Who Are Some of the Most Famous Super Bowl Teams?

Over the years, several teams have become known as Super Bowl legends. Here are some of the most successful:

• New England Patriots – Won 6 Super Bowls, many with quarterback Tom Brady
• Kansas City Chiefs – Won 4 Super Bowls, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes
• Pittsburgh Steelers – Won 6 Super Bowls, tied with the Patriots for the most wins
• Dallas Cowboys – Won 5 Super Bowls, known as “America’s Team”
• San Francisco 49ers – Won 5 Super Bowls during the 1980s and 1990s

Can You Watch the Super Bowl for Free?

In the United States, the Super Bowl is broadcast on major TV networks like CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC/ESPN. In recent years, it has also been available to stream for free online. For Super Bowl LX in 2026, viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch it on a major broadcast network without needing a paid subscription.

Outside of the U.S., you can check your local sports broadcaster. In many countries, streaming services and satellite TV providers carry the Super Bowl. You can also use NFL.com or the NFL app to find official viewing options in your region.

Fun Super Bowl Facts for Kids

• The Super Bowl is played on a Sunday, which is why it is called Super Bowl Sunday. The day after — Monday — is sometimes jokingly called “Super Bowl Monday” because many people are tired from staying up late.
• The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10.
• The most points ever scored in a Super Bowl was in Super Bowl XXIX (1995), with a combined total of 75 points.
• Super Bowl tickets can cost thousands of dollars. For Super Bowl LX, tickets are expected to cost over $5,000 each.
• The city that hosts the Super Bowl changes every year. Past host cities include Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Tampa.

Why the Super Bowl Matters Beyond Football

The Super Bowl is more than just a game. It brings millions of people together to share food, watch music, laugh at funny commercials, and cheer for their favorite team. Even people who do not follow football often gather with friends and family to enjoy the show.

For the players, the Super Bowl is the biggest moment of their careers. They have trained for years — sometimes their whole lives — for the chance to play on that stage. Winning the Super Bowl is the highest achievement in American football.

Whether you are a longtime fan or someone who is just learning about the sport for the first time, Super Bowl LX in 2026 promises to be a spectacular event. Mark your calendar for February 8, 2026, and enjoy the show!