Football Super Bowl Rules

The Super Bowl in football is the championship game for the National Football League (NFL). It represents the culmination of a season and is the last game played until the next season. The champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) play each other in a neutral-site, winner-take-all game.

These conference champions are decided by the NFL Playoffs, which consist of seven teams from each conference playing in a single-elimination bracket. The Super Bowl has been played once every year since 1967. The winner receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy and is crowned Super Bowl champion for the season.

Super Bowl Overtime Rules

Overtime rules in the Super Bowl vary slightly from the regular season. In the regular season, ties are a possibility if, after one overtime period, the score is still even. However, teams may not tie in the Super Bowl, as the game must end with a winning team.

The overtime rules for the Super Bowl are the same as every playoff game in the NFL. Overtime lasts 15 minutes, and each team gets at least one chance to possess the ball. After each team’s initial possession, scoring becomes sudden death. If the score is tied after the first overtime period, additional periods will be played up to a fourth overtime. If the game reaches the end of a fourth overtime period, play will continue indefinitely until one team scores. The scoring team is declared the winner.

Super Bowl Rules Summary

  • The champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) meet in the Super Bowl.
  • The Super Bowl is played on the first Sunday in February.
  • There are four 15-minute quarters during regulation in the Super Bowl.
  • After the second quarter, there will be a 30-minute halftime break for the halftime show and for players to rest.
  • If the game ends regulation time with the score tied, there will be overtime periods.
  • Super Bowl overtime begins with a second coin toss, and each team will have a chance to possess the ball.
  • If the initial overtime possession doesn't end in a score, the team who scores next (via field goal, touchdown, or safety) wins the game.
  • There is no point-after-touchdown play if the game ends with a touchdown.
  • If the score is still tied when an overtime period ends, another will be played until a winner is determined.
  • If the score remains tied after a fourth overtime period, another coin toss will occur, and play will continue indefinitely until a winner is declared.

FAQ

What are the rules of the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is played with the same rules as any other NFL Playoff game, with the most noticeable difference between the big game and a regular season game are the overtime rules. In the NFL regular season, there is a maximum of one 10-minute overtime period in which the first team to score a field goal after the opening drive or a touchdown will be declared the winner. In the NFL Playoffs, including the Super Bowl, as many 15-minute minute overtime periods as necessary will be played. Also, unique to the postseason, both teams get a chance at possessing the ball on offense, even if a touchdown is scored on the opening drive.