Let’s look at how long Super Bowl games lasted to see how long a game lasts on average, what Super Bowl games lasted longer, and which ones, conversely, set the record as the shortest game. Here’s the info since 2000:
| Date | Super Bowl | Teams | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2000 | XXXIV | St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans | 3:28 |
| Jan 28, 2001 | XXXV | Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants | 3:23 |
| Feb 3, 2002 | XXXVI | New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams | 3:24 |
| Jan 26, 2003 | XXXVII | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders | 3:50 |
| Feb 1, 2004 | XXXVIII | New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers | 4:05 |
| Feb 6, 2005 | XXXIX | New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 3:38 |
| Feb 5, 2006 | XL | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks | 3:36 |
| Feb 4, 2007 | XLI | Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears | 3:31 |
| Feb 3, 2008 | XLII | New York Giants vs. New England Patriots | 3:35 |
| Feb 1, 2009 | XLIII | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals | 3:38 |
| Feb 7, 2010 | XLIV | New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts | 3:14 |
| Feb 6, 2011 | XLV | Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 3:32 |
| Feb 5, 2012 | XLVI | New York Giants vs. New England Patriots | 3:23 |
| Feb 3, 2013 | XLVII | Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers | 4:14 |
| Feb 2, 2014 | XLVIII | Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos | 3:23 |
| Feb 1, 2015 | XLIX | New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks | 3:36 |
| Feb 7, 2016 | 50 | Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers | 3:43 |
| Feb 5, 2017 | LI | New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons | 3:47 |
| Feb 4, 2018 | LII | Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots | 3:46 |
| Feb 3, 2019 | LIII | New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams | 3:32 |
| Feb 2, 2020 | LIV | Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers | 3:29 |
| Feb 7, 2021 | LV | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs | 3:35 |
| Feb 13, 2022 | LVI | Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 3:26 |
| Feb 12, 2023 | LVII | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 3:31 |
So, the average duration of Super Bowl games, starting from Super Bowl 2000, was 3 hours and 35 minutes.
What was the longest Super Bowl game?
Super Bowl XLVII, held on February 3, 2013, between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, not only stands out as the longest Super Bowl game with a duration of 4 hours and 14 minutes but remains memorable for several reasons beyond its length. This game occurred at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, marking a significant event for the city, which had been in a long recovery process since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The event was broadcast by CBS in the United States, drawing millions of viewers nationwide.
One of the most notable incidents during this Super Bowl was the power outage that occurred early in the third quarter, leading to a 34-minute delay in the game. This unprecedented event plunged half of the Superdome into darkness, temporarily halting play and leading to widespread speculation and commentary. Despite the interruption, the game itself was a thrilling encounter. The Ravens took a significant lead into halftime. Still, following the delay, the 49ers mounted a strong comeback, turning what seemed to be a one-sided affair into a closely contested battle.
The Baltimore Ravens emerged victorious, securing a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The game was particularly significant for Ray Lewis, the Ravens’ linebacker, who had announced that he would retire at the end of the season, making Super Bowl XLVII the final game of his NFL career. The victory also highlighted the coaching prowess of John Harbaugh over his brother Jim Harbaugh, in what was dubbed the “HarBowl,” the first Super Bowl in history to feature two brothers as opposing head coaches.
What was the shortest Super Bowl game?
The shortest Super Bowl game was Super Bowl XLIV, which was held on February 7, 2010. The contest featured the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts and lasted approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes. This game stands out not only for its brevity but also for its significance in the history of the NFL and the participating franchises.
Super Bowl XLIV was held at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It was particularly notable, marking the New Orleans Saints’ first Super Bowl appearance and victory in franchise history. The Saints, led by quarterback Drew Brees, defeated the Colts with a final score of 31-17. Brees’ performance, completing 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns, earned him the Super Bowl MVP honors. This victory was celebrated as a symbol of resilience and recovery for New Orleans, still rebuilding after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The game is remembered for several key moments, including Tracy Porter’s pivotal 74-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, which sealed the victory for the Saints. The strategic decision by Saints head coach Sean Payton to open the second half with an onside kick, successfully recovered by New Orleans, is often cited as a turning point in the game that shifted momentum in favor of the Saints.