Why the Super Bowl Uses Roman Numerals: The History and Reason Behind the Tradition

Super Bowl 59, officially known as Super Bowl LIX, will kick off on Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. ET from New Orleans' Superdome. 

The use of Roman numerals in the event's name is a tradition that dates back more than fifty years. It serves both practical and aesthetic purposes.

It began in 1971 when the Baltimore Ravens (then named the Colts) beat the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 to win the 1970 season. That game took the official name of Super Bowl V, which means Super Bowl 5.

With the game being played in 1971 but determining the winner of the 1970 season, the NFL wanted to avoid any confusion, so it adopted the use of Roman numerals to make it clear which season the championship was tied to.

Additionally, the NFL retroactively assigned Super Bowls 1-4 Roman numerals to keep things consistent.

There's been one exception to this: the 2015 season, when the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 (played in 2016). The NFL wanted something a little more eye-popping than the single L to commemorate its 50th Super Bowl. The next year, it returned to the use of Roman numerals with Super Bowl LI.

What about 41 years from now, when Super Bowl 100 kicks off? Only time will tell whether the NFL sticks with the Roman numeral "C" or opts for the more familiar "100," just as it did for Super Bowl 50.

But Roman numerals are more than just a way to keep track of things. They add a sense of tradition and prestige to the big game, which is why former Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt lobbied for the name change in 1970.

And as Super Bowl LIX kicks off tonight, that tradition is stronger than ever, with the Chiefs looking to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls.

Next year's Super Bowl, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will be called Super Bowl LX, which stands for Super Bowl 60.