Ultimate Super Bowl Programs Collecting Guide and Gallery
History
The Super Bowl has become something so big that, for many, it is not even about the game itself. Along with deciding the yearly NFL champion and showcasing a ton of expensive commercials, the Super Bowl represents a great opportunity for collectors. Super Bowl programs remain appealing to this day due to their continuity and display potential to celebrate the big game.Ultimate Guide to Collecting Super Bowl Programs
The following guide covers the collecting side of Super Bowl programs and offers a complete visual guide to each release.
Super Bowl Programs History and Design
The history of the Super Bowl program starts with the very first title game between the AFL and NFL in 1967. Although it was not known as the Super Bowl at that point, it would not take long for the name to become synonymous with one of the biggest annual sporting events in the world.
The 1969 title game program was the first to feature "Super Bowl" on the cover and, to date, the only one to feature an action image of the two teams.
While it took a few years for the Super Bowl program to hammer down a specific style, starting in 1976, the actual trophy became a major feature of the cover along with something indicative of the city where the game was being held. That basic design has continued up to the present day.
Many collectors will also notice that the designs on the Super Bowl programs largely coincide with the Super Bowl ticket stubs from each game. This presents an intriguing combo keepsake for collectors. Replica Super Bowl rings have also proven very popular with collectors.
Programs can be found for title games that pre-date the Super Bowl-period of the NFL, as well, and they are also quite valuable.
Super Bowl Programs Value and Condition
Although the interest in Super Bowl programs remains strong across the board, the most lucrative options came in the first few decades of the big game. The very earliest Super Bowl programs are the most notable, especially the first two games, which can push into the four-figure range for a ticket-and-program combo.
Like any other collectible, the condition is very important in terms of value. Unlike other options such as ticket stubs or sports cards, grading is not a common practice for Super Bowl programs. This means that collectors need to pay special attention to the images and ask for actual pictures of the item instead of stock photos. Obvious defects, such as creases or rips, will decrease the value, as well as loose or missing pages.
Given the specific connection to the game, it is also common to find signed versions from the players of the winning Super Bowl team. Full team-signed Super Bowl programs or single-signed versions by top players have an added premium, especially authenticated versions.
Super Bowl Program Editions
A key interest for many collectors who pursue Super Bowl programs is acquiring the editions that were actually distributed at the Super Bowl. This was a very simple prospect during the early years because there was generally only one option and it was found at the game. As the event and audience became bigger, the NFL started releasing an edition at newsstands and other retail avenues. For many years, it was still easy to distinguish these versions because the retail edition included a UPC code on the front of the program. However, starting in the 2000s, more editions entered the fold.
Now, there are multiple versions of the Super Bowl program. Most years, the editions at newsstands can be found with UPC codes. Since they are printed and distributed ahead of the Super Bowl, they do not normally feature the team logos, making them easier to spot. There are also "Official Super Bowl Programs" without UPC codes. These include the team logos. In addition, there are Hologram or "Holographic Stadium Collection" editions that are sold at the Super Bowl. The metallic cover makes them very easy to spot.
Beyond the standard paperback editions, there are occasionally hardcover editions that normally have a limited print run.
And if you like the art used on the covers but don't really care about the Super Bowl program itself, Fanatics sells licensed canvas prints for every Super Bowl game.
The full gallery showcasing each of the Super Bowl programs can be seen by using the tab above. Only one main version is shown for each year.
Gallery
Ultimate Super Bowl Programs Gallery and Checklist
Shop for Super Bowl programs or check completed sales prices using the eBay links.
Super Bowl I Program - 1967 (SB1)
Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl II Program - 1968 (SB2)
Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders
Super Bowl III Program - 1969 (SB3)
New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts
Super Bowl IV Program - 1970 (SB4)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl V Program - 1971 (SB5)
Baltimore Colts vs. Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl VI Program - 1972 (SB6)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl VII Program - 1973 (SB7)
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins
Super Bowl VIII Program - 1974 (SB8)
Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl IX Program - 1975 (SB9)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl X Program - 1976 (SB10)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl XI Program - 1977 (SB11)
Oakland Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl XII Program - 1978 (SB12)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XIII Program - 1979 (SB13)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl XIV Program - 1980 (SB14)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl XV Program - 1981 (SB15)
Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl XVI Program - 1982 (SB16)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl XVII Program - 1983 (SB17)
Washington Redskins vs. Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl XVIII Program - 1984 (SB18)
Los Angeles Raiders vs. Washington Redskins
Super Bowl XIX Program - 1985 (SB19)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl XX Program - 1986 (SB20)
Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl XXI Program - 1987 (SB21)
New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XXII Program - 1988 (SB22)
Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XXIII Program - 1989 (SB23)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl XXIV Program - 1990 (SB24)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XXV Program - 1991 (SB25)
New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl XXVI Program - 1992 (SB26)
Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl XXVII Program - 1993 (SB27)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl XXVIII Program - 1994 (SB28)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl XXIX Program - 1995 (SB29)
San Fran 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers
Super Bowl XXX Program - 1996 (SB30)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl XXXI Program - 1997 (SB31)
Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl XXXII Program - 1998 (SB32)
Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl XXXIII Program - 1999 (SB33)
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl XXXIV Program - 2000 (SB34)
St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
Super Bowl XXXV Program - 2001 (SB35)
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
Super Bowl XXXVI Program - 2002 (SB36)
New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
Super Bowl XXXVII Program - 2003 (SB37)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders
Super Bowl XXXVIII Program - 2004 (SB38)
New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
Super Bowl XXXIX Program - 2005 (SB39)
New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl XL Program - 2006 (SB40)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl XLI Program - 2007 (SB41)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears
Super Bowl XLII Program - 2008 (SB42)
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLIII Program - 2009 (SB43)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl XLIV Program - 2010 (SB44)
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowl XLV Program - 2011 (SB45)
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl XLVI Program - 2012 (SB46)
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLVII Program - 2013 (SB47)
Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl XLVIII Program - 2014 (SB48)
Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XLIX Program - 2015 (SB49)
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl 50 Program - 2016 (SB50)
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers
Super Bowl LI Program - 2017 (SB51)
New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl LII Program - 2018 (SB52)
New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl LIII Program - 2019 (SB53)
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl LIV Program - 2020 (SB54)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl LV Program - 2021 (SB55)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Super Bowl LVI Program - 2022 (SB56)
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl LVII Program - 2023 (SB57)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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Jason
I just purchased the SBIII Collector’s Edition. It only features the Colts-Jets, unlike the IV CE, which has the 4 semi-finalists.