It is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet and tickets change hands for tens of thousands of pounds as NFL clamour for admission to the Super Bowl.
So, ahead of the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12, here are the biggest attendances that have witnessed the climax of the American football season.
10. Super Bowl XVI – Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan, January 24, 1982 – 81,270
The 10th biggest Super Bowl crowd was the first one to be played in a northern city and was hosted at the domed home of the Detroit Lions.
That day, the San Francisco 49ers won their first title, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21.
9. Super Bowl XLVIII – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, February 2, 2014 – 82,529
Then comes the first Super Bowl to be played outside in a cold-weather city in 2014.
The assembled fans witnessed one of the most one-sided showdowns as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8, which is the biggest winning margin ever recorded by a Super Bowl underdog.
8. Super Bowl XIX – Stanford Stadium, California, January 20, 1985 – 84,059
Stanford was the first town to host the big game in the San Francisco Bay area, which was handy for the 49ers, who claimed a 38-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
It was hailed as a clash between two great quarterbacks and it was Joe Montana who came out on top against Dan Marino.
7. Super Bowl VII – Los Angeles Coliseum, California, January 14, 1973 – 90,182
This was a historic occasion as the Miami Dolphins beat Washington 14-7 to become the only team to record a perfect unbeaten season.
It was also the warmest Super Bowl on record, with temperatures reaching 29C at kick-off.
6. Super Bowl XXVII – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, January 31, 1993 – 98,374
Dallas won their first Vince Lombardi trophy in 15 years with a 52-17 win over the Buffalo Bills, who became the first team to lose three successive Super Bowls.
This was also the last Super Bowl to be played at a non-NFL stadium.
5. Super Bowl XXI – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, January 25, 1987 – 101,063
This was a memorable day for the New York Giants as they captured their first Super Bowl, coached by the legendary Bill Parcells.
They proved too strong for the Denver Broncos, winning 39-20.
4. Super Bowl XLV – Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, February 6, 2011 – 103,219
This is the only game in the top five not to be played at the Rose Bowl.
The Green Bay Packers became the first number-six seed from the NFC to win the big game, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25.
3. Super Bowl XI – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, January 9, 1977 – 103,438
The Oakland Raiders dominated this game as they claimed the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the first time.
Under coach John Madden, they chalked up a record 429 yards of offence to beat the Minnesota Vikings 32-14.
2. Super Bowl XVII – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, January 30, 1983 – 103,667
This clash came at the end of a season disrupted by a players strike, but that did not stop the fans coming out in their droves.
They saw Washington come back from 17-10 down at half-time to beat the Miami Dolphins 27-17.
1. Super Bowl XIV – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, January 20, 1980
The record Super Bowl attendance assembled in January 1980 to see the Pittsburgh Steelers win their fourth title in six years as they beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-19.
