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The Most-Watched Super Bowl Games in Television History, Ranked

Welcome to the exciting world of Super Bowl history, where epic games and unforgettable moments have left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape. In this article, we're diving into the games that had us on the edge of our seats and brought millions together in front of the TV.

Think of it as a journey through the greatest hits of Super Bowl showdowns—those heart-stopping plays, unexpected twists, and the larger-than-life halftime spectacles that made us laugh, cheer, and maybe shed a tear.

We'll revisit the showdowns that kept us talking for weeks, from the New England Patriots' nail-biting wins to the underdog stories that warmed our hearts. It's not just about the scores; it's about the moments that became etched in our memories, whether it's a last-minute interception or a halftime show that stole the spotlight.

Join us as we count down the most-watched Super Bowls, where numbers come to life and where the thrill of the game collides with the glitz and glam of the halftime extravaganza. From Super Bowl XLIX's unforgettable finish to the recent excitement of Super Bowl LVI, we're celebrating the Super Bowl's legacy as a unique blend of sports, entertainment, and good old American culture.

10. Super Bowl LII (52) - 103.4 Million Viewers

10. Super Bowl LII (52) - 103.4 Million Viewers

Super Bowl LII (52), held on February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was an unforgettable clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. The Eagles secured their first Super Bowl victory, triumphing 41-33 over the Patriots. Despite being underdogs, the Eagles, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, showcased resilience and determination. 

Foles, named Super Bowl MVP, delivered a stellar performance with 373 passing yards and three touchdowns, including a memorable one-yard touchdown catch known as the "Philly Special." The game, marked by record-breaking offensive stats, is hailed as one of the greatest Super Bowl matchups in history.

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9. Super Bowl XLVII (47) - 108.7 Million Viewers

9. Super Bowl XLVII (47) - 108.7 Million Viewers

Super Bowl XLVII (47) Super Bowl XLVII, held on February 3, 2013, was a showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens emerged victorious with a 34–31 win, marking the 49ers' first-ever Super Bowl loss. 

Coached by brothers Jim and John Harbaugh, it was dubbed the "Har-bowl," a historic first in Super Bowl coaching. The game featured an unprecedented power outage, suspending play for 34 minutes and earning the moniker "Blackout Bowl." Joe Flacco's stellar performance earned him the Super Bowl MVP title, with Beyoncé headlining the unforgettable halftime show.

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8. Super Bowl XLV (45) - 111 Million Viewers

8. Super Bowl XLV (45) - 111 Million Viewers

Super Bowl XLV (45), held on February 6, 2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was a battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers. The Packers clinched victory with a 31–25 win, marking their fourth Super Bowl title. Despite the Steelers' strong legacy with six Super Bowl wins prior to the game, the Packers dominated early, securing a 21–3 lead. 

Although the Steelers narrowed the gap, the Packers' resilience prevailed. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the charge, earning the Super Bowl MVP title. The game set a viewership record with approximately 111 million viewers and featured a halftime show headlined by The Black Eyed Peas.

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7. Super Bowl LI (51) - 111.3 Million Viewers

7. Super Bowl LI (51) - 111.3 Million Viewers

Super Bowl LI (51), held on February 5, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, was between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots orchestrated the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, overcoming a 28–3 deficit to secure a thrilling 34–28 victory in overtime. Led by quarterback Tom Brady, New England claimed their fifth Super Bowl title, tying them with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.

Despite a strong start by the Falcons, including MVP quarterback Matt Ryan's strong performance, they fell short of their first championship. The game, dubbed "28–3," set numerous records and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played, with over 111.3 million viewers witnessing the dramatic showdown.

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6. Super Bowl XLVI (46) - 111.3 Million Viewers

6. Super Bowl XLVI (46) - 111.3 Million Viewers

Super Bowl XLVI (46) Super Bowl XLVI, held on February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, featured the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. The Giants secured a 21-17 victory, marking their fourth Super Bowl win. Notably, they set a record for the lowest regular season record (9–7) for a Super Bowl champion. It was a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, where the Giants also triumphed over the Patriots.

Quarterback Eli Manning, named Super Bowl MVP for the second time, orchestrated a game-winning drive, culminating in Ahmad Bradshaw's 6-yard touchdown with 57 seconds remaining. The broadcast on NBC became the most-watched program in American television history, with 111.3 million viewers. Super Bowl XLVI also set a record for the most tweets per second during a sporting event.

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5. Super Bowl XLVIII (48) - 111.5 Million Viewers

5. Super Bowl XLVIII (48) - 111.5 Million Viewers

Super Bowl XLVIII (48), held on February 2, 2014, at MetLife Stadium, witnessed a lopsided clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. The Seahawks dominated with a 43–8 victory, marking the largest margin of victory for an underdog in Super Bowl history. Seattle's defense was impeccable, holding the Broncos to their lowest point total of the season, with quarterback Peyton Manning throwing two interceptions in the first half.

The Seahawks' Cliff Avril secured a safety on the first play, and linebacker Malcolm Smith, the game's MVP, scored a pick-six. Despite its historic dominance, Super Bowl XLVIII is often criticized as one of the most disappointing in history, yet it stands as a testament to the Seahawks' formidable 2013 defense. The game set TV records in the U.S., with an average audience of 111.5 million viewers and a halftime show featuring Bruno Mars.

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4. Super Bowl L (50) - 111.9 Million Viewers

4. Super Bowl L (50) - 111.9 Million Viewers

Super Bowl 50, held on February 7, 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, showcased a defensive battle between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. The Broncos, with the league's top defense, triumphed 24–10, securing their third Super Bowl title. Quarterback Peyton Manning, in his final game, retired on a high note.

The matchup featured the league's best offense (Panthers) against the best defense (Broncos) and was marked by Denver's seven sacks and four turnovers. Linebacker Von Miller earned Super Bowl MVP honors. CBS' broadcast drew 111.9 million viewers, making it the fourth most-watched program in American television history. The halftime show starred Coldplay, with special appearances by Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.

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3. Super Bowl LVI (56) - 112.3 Million Viewers

3. Super Bowl LVI (56) - 112.3 Million Viewers

Super Bowl LVI, held on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium, saw the Los Angeles Rams secure a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. It marked the Rams' second Super Bowl win since their triumph in 1999's Super Bowl XXXIV. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, acquired by the Rams, played a crucial role after 12 years with the Detroit Lions without a playoff win.

For the Bengals, seeking their first title, it was a momentous journey, breaking a playoff win drought since 1990. The game, with three lead changes, culminated in a touchdown by Rams' receiver Cooper Kupp, who clinched the Super Bowl MVP title. NBC's broadcast attracted 112.3 million viewers, marking a significant resurgence in Super Bowl viewership.

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2. Super Bowl XLIX (49) - 114.4 Million Viewers

2. Super Bowl XLIX (49) - 114.4 Million Viewers

Super Bowl XLIX (49), held on February 1, 2015, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, was between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots secured a thrilling 28–24 victory, ending a 10-year championship drought and claiming their fourth overall Super Bowl title. Quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick led the Patriots to their eighth Super Bowl appearance, tying a record. 

The game is immortalized by the Seahawks' last-play decision, resulting in a game-winning interception by Malcolm Butler. NBC's broadcast set a viewership record with an average of 114.4 million, making it one of the most-watched and greatest Super Bowls in history.

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1. Super Bowl LVII (57) - 118.7 Million Viewers

1. Super Bowl LVII (57) - 118.7 Million Viewers

Super Bowl LVII, held in 2023, featured an intense matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. With both teams boasting a stellar 14-3 regular-season record, the game promised high stakes and thrilling action. Despite the Eagles leading 24-14 at halftime, the Chiefs staged a remarkable comeback, securing a narrow 38-35 victory with a game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker. 

The contest, marked by controversy over a pivotal defensive call on Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, witnessed a total of 73 points, ranking it as the third-highest scoring Super Bowl. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes earned the Super Bowl MVP title for his stellar performance, while Fox's broadcast set a new viewership record, making it the most-watched program in American television history. The halftime show, headlined by Rihanna, further captivated audiences, peaking at 118.7 million viewers.

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