• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

The Rise in the Cost of a Super Bowl Commercial

  • Since first Super Bowl, ad prices have increased 16,371% percent.
  • NBC generated $578 million in-game revenue in 2022.
Super Bowl
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl Sunday has become an unofficial national holiday in the United States. Football fans — casual or die-hard gather around the television with their favorite foods and snacks – and check out the commercials.

Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, the game has grown exponentially and become a gold mine for potential advertisers. 

Besides the game’s enormous reach, it’s the one day of the year when advertisers are guaranteed consumers will watch their commercials. Many casual fans watch more for the funny, celebrity-filled spots than the football. 

Over the years, Super Bowl commercials have become one of the most highly anticipated parts of a Super Bowl broadcast. In today’s fragmented media environment, advertisers take advantage of having the exclusive attention of potentially over 100 million viewers. Companies try their best to be one of the most remembered, but some companies flop in their effort to reach consumers.

The first 30-second ad for Super Bowl I between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs cost $42,500. With inflation adjustments, it would have cost $372,390.34.

Rising Costs

Super Bowl in-game ad spots first cracked the $1 million mark in 1995. Last year, brand marketers paid a record $7 million ($233,333 per second) for in-game spots during Fox Sports’ telecast of Super Bowl 57.

That’s just for airtime. It doesn’t count the millions in production costs or the big-money fees paid to top directors.

The broadcast networks are smiling at the bank. Last year’s Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams (98.18 million viewers) generated over $578 million in in-game commercial revenue for NBC, according to research firm Kantar  — an excellent return on investment for the networks and their combined 11-year, $110 billion media rights deal, completed in 2021.

Commercial Cost Over Years

YearCostToday’s Cost*
1967$42,500$372,390.34
1970$78,000$588,327.06
1975$107,000$582,046.19
1980$222,000$788,463.71
1985$525,000$1,427,917.05 million
1990$700,000$1,567,394.80 million
1995$1.2 million$2,304,370.08 million
2000$2 million$3,399,012.78 million
2005$2.4 million$3,718,221.28 million
2010$3 million$4,026,328.10 million
2015$4.25 million$5,247,656.29 million
2021$5.5 million$5,940,150.20 million
2022$6.5 million
2023$7 million
2024$7 million
*Inflation adjustment based on December 2022

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.

YouTube’s Revised NFL Game Rating Still Has Fox, ESPN Execs Upset 

Adjusted viewership metrics from the streamer reignited debate about the game.

Massachusetts Sues Kalshi To Block Sports Prediction Markets

A lawsuit claims the company’s offerings are indistinguishable from traditional sports bets.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
September 11, 2025

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.