Why Minnesota Stands Out In NFL Super Bowl Hosting

You might think Minnesota’s Super Bowl story starts and ends with the Vikings, and how they're one of the 12 teams to have never won the big game. But there’s a twist, and it turns out our state has earned a surprising spot in one of the NFL’s most exclusive clubs.

In fact, when it comes to this elite club regarding the National Football League, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is one of only 12 states that are now members. And despite the Packers having won four Super Bowls, Wisconsin isn't in *this* club.

Minnesota Joins an Elite Group of Super Bowl Host States

The 2025 Super Bowl (that was Super Bowl LIX) was held at the Super Dome in New Orleans back in February. It was the 59th Super Bowl ever held, and featured the Philadelphia Eagles, who rather handily defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.

The very first Super Bowl in NFL history was held back on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The NFC's Green Bay Packers defeated the AFC's Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in that first contest.

ALSO INTERESTING: The Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever Was Made in Minnesota

Since then, though, the Super Bowl has become a global phenomenon and is now one of the most-watched events on the entire planet. The NFL said Super Bowl LIX averaged a record audience of 127.7 million people, which spiked to nearly 137.7 million during the second quarter, well over the 103 million who watched Super Bowl LII when it was here in Minnesota.

Minnesota’s Place in Super Bowl History Might Surprise You

But just which Super Bowl club is Minnesota a proud member of? That would be the list of states that have hosted the Super Bowl. The North Star State hosted Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome in 1992, and Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2018. In addition to Minnesota, only 11 other states have hosted the NFL's biggest game.

The Philadelphia Eagles take the field prior to Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Only 12 States Have Ever Hosted the NFL’s Biggest Game

Specifically, as of Super Bowl LIX in 2025, the Pro Football Hall of Fame says the Super Bowl has been hosted in 12 different states across the U.S.:

Arizona: Glendale
California: Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Clara, Stanford, San Diego
Florida: Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville
Georgia: Atlanta
Indiana: Indianapolis
Louisiana: New Orleans
Michigan: Detroit, Pontiac
Minnesota: Minneapolis
New Jersey: East Rutherford
Nevada: Las Vegas
New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford (East Rutherford is technically in the state of New Jersey, but is part of the New York City metropolitan area)
Texas: Houston, Arlington

The Pro Football Hall of Fame says the most frequent hosts have been Miami and New Orleans, each having hosted the Super Bowl 11 times. And California and Georgia will add to that list, as future Super Bowl locations are planned for the following cities:

2026: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California
2027: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
2028: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

So while Minnesota's Vikings *may* still be on the list of NFL teams who have yet to win a Super Bowl, at least our fair state is still in some elite company when it comes to hosting the NFL's most popular game. And speaking of popular, keep scrolling to check out the 100 Most Popular Brands in America!