Super Bowl Commercials Cost History: How Prices Grew From $42,000 to $7 Million

The Super Bowl has always commanded premium advertising rates, but the growth from the first game in 1967 to today is staggering. A 30-second spot in Super Bowl I cost $42,500. The same slot in Super Bowl LIX in 2025 cost approximately $7 million. Here is the complete history of Super Bowl commercial pricing.

Early Years: $42,000 to $1 Million (1967–1995)

The first Super Bowl in 1967 charged $42,500 per 30-second spot. By 1975, the rate had grown to $107,000. The million-dollar barrier was broken in 1984 — the year Apple's legendary "1984" commercial aired — when spots sold for $1 million each. By 1995, rates had reached $1.15 million per 30 seconds.

The $2–3 Million Era (1996–2005)

Rates doubled from 1996 to 2005. By the dot-com boom of 2000, 30-second spots were selling for $2.1 million. The post-dot-com correction slowed growth slightly, but rates continued rising. By Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, prices reached $2.4 million per 30 seconds.

The $3–5 Million Era (2006–2017)

The modern era of Super Bowl advertising saw rates climb from $2.5 million in 2006 to $5 million in 2017. NBC set records for Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, selling out all available inventory at $4.5 million per spot.

The $5–7 Million Era (2018–Present)

From 2018 onward, rates have consistently exceeded $5 million. Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 sold spots at $6.5–7 million. Super Bowl LIX in 2025 saw rates reach $7 million per 30-second spot. For the complete current pricing analysis, see our Super Bowl commercial cost guide.

Why Do Brands Keep Paying?

Despite the enormous cost, Super Bowl advertising remains a strong investment for major brands. The combination of 115+ million live viewers, social media amplification, earned media coverage, and cultural staying power provides a return on investment that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. For more on Super Bowl commercials in general, visit our Super Bowl commercials page.