Pre-Super Bowl NFL Championship Game Ticket Stubs

Before the Super Bowl: The NFL Championship Game

Before the first Super Bowl in 1967, the NFL Championship Game was the sport's ultimate prize. Played annually since 1933, these games decided the league champion in an era of leather helmets, muddy fields, and some of the toughest athletes to ever play the game. For over three decades, winning the NFL Championship meant being crowned the best team in professional football — no AFC or NFC, no conference championships, just one winner-take-all game.

These pre-Super Bowl championship games produced some of the most legendary moments in football history. From the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to the concrete confines of Yankee Stadium, NFL championship ticket stubs represent an era when professional football was transforming from a regional curiosity into America's favorite sport. Today, these vintage football ticket stubs are among the most sought-after pieces of sports memorabilia, with values that continue to climb as collectors recognize their historical significance.

The Golden Era: 1950s and 1960s Championship Games

The 1958 Championship: "The Greatest Game Ever Played"

The 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee Stadium is universally regarded as the most important pre-Super Bowl championship. This Johnny Unitas-led thriller went into sudden-death overtime — the first in NFL history — and was broadcast nationally on television to over 45 million viewers. The game is credited with launching football's rise to become America's most popular sport.

Ticket stubs from this legendary championship game are the crown jewel of pre-Super Bowl collecting. A complete, authenticated 1958 NFL Championship ticket stub in good condition can command $3,000-$8,000 at auction, with exceptional examples reaching even higher prices. Even partial stubs or heavily damaged tickets from this game carry significant value, typically selling for $800-$2,500 depending on condition and completeness.

The Ice Bowl and Lombardi's Packers

Green Bay's dominance in the 1960s produced several championship games that are now collecting gold. The 1967 NFL Championship Game, famously known as the Ice Bowl, was played in minus-13-degree weather at Lambeau Field. This final pre-Super Bowl championship showcased Vince Lombardi's Packers defeating the Dallas Cowboys in conditions so brutal that the game has become football folklore.

Ice Bowl ticket stubs typically sell for $2,000-$5,000 in good condition, with the extreme weather conditions ironically helping preserve many tickets as fans held onto them as mementos of surviving the brutal cold. The 1965 and 1966 NFL Championship games, also won by Green Bay, feature ticket stubs valued at $1,200-$3,500, representing the peak of the Lombardi era.

The Early Championship Years: 1933-1949

Depression Era and World War II Championships

The earliest NFL Championship games, played during the Great Depression and World War II, produced some of the rarest ticket stubs in sports collecting. Games from the 1930s featured teams like the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and Green Bay Packers battling for supremacy in front of much smaller crowds than today's games.

Any complete ticket stub from a 1930s NFL Championship game is extraordinarily rare and valuable, typically commanding $2,000-$6,000 regardless of the specific matchup. The 1940 NFL Championship, where the Chicago Bears demolished the Washington Redskins 73-0, is particularly notable. This lopsided victory remains the highest-scoring championship game in NFL history, and ticket stubs from this game are valued at $2,500-$5,500.

World War II era championships (1941-1945) are equally scarce, as many fans who attended these games later served overseas, and ticket stub collecting wasn't yet established as a hobby. Championship stubs from this period, especially from the Bears' 1943 championship or the Packers' 1944 title game, can sell for $1,800-$4,500 in collectible condition.

Team-Specific Championship Collecting

Chicago Bears Dynasty

The Chicago Bears dominated early NFL championships, winning titles in 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, and 1946. Bears championship ticket stubs are highly sought after, particularly from their record-setting 1940 championship victory. The team's connection to legendary figures like George Halas and Bronko Nagurski adds historical weight to these collectibles.

New York Giants Championships

The Giants appeared in numerous championship games during this era, including victories in 1934, 1938, and 1956. Their championship appearances at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds created some of the most atmospheric games in NFL history. Giants championship stubs, particularly from their 1956 victory over the Bears, are valued at $1,500-$4,000.

Authentication and Condition Factors

The Challenge of Authentication

Pre-Super Bowl championship ticket stubs present unique authentication challenges. Many were printed on basic paper stock without the security features of modern tickets. Professional authentication through services like PSA or Beckett is crucial for high-value championship stubs, as reproductions and counterfeits exist for the most famous games.

Condition and Grading

Unlike modern ticket stubs, pre-Super Bowl championship tickets are valued even in poor condition due to their extreme scarcity. However, condition still dramatically affects value:

• Mint/Near Mint (PSA 8-10): Complete stub with sharp corners, original colors, and minimal wear - commands top dollar
• Excellent (PSA 6-7): Minor wear but still attractive and complete - typically 60-80% of mint values
• Good (PSA 4-5): Noticeable wear but complete with readable text - still valuable for historic games
• Fair/Poor (PSA 1-3): Significant damage but authentic - retains collector value for championship games

Market Trends and Investment Potential

The market for pre-Super Bowl NFL championship ticket stubs has shown consistent growth over the past decade. As the generation that attended these games ages, more stubs are entering the market through estate sales and family collections. However, demand from serious collectors continues to outpace supply, particularly for the most famous games.

The rise of sports gambling and increased NFL popularity has brought new collectors into the vintage ticket market. Championship stubs from legendary games like the Ice Bowl or the 1958 overtime thriller have proven to be solid investments, often appreciating faster than general sports memorabilia markets.

Storage and Preservation Tips

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining and potentially improving the value of pre-Super Bowl championship stubs:

• Store in acid-free holders or toploaders to prevent paper degradation
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, which can fade vintage inks
• Maintain stable temperature and humidity levels
• Consider professional grading for high-value championship stubs
• Never attempt to clean or restore vintage ticket stubs without expert consultation

Beyond Championships: Other Valuable Pre-Super Bowl Stubs

While championship games command the highest prices, other significant pre-Super Bowl games also carry collector value. Playoff games, rivalry matchups, and games featuring Hall of Fame players in their prime all have collecting appeal. Classic Monday Night Football games from the early years of that program also attract collector interest, though they don't match championship game values.

Turn Your Championship Stubs Into Cash

If you've discovered pre-Super Bowl NFL championship ticket stubs in a collection, attic, or family memorabilia, you may be holding a significant piece of football history. StubHaul specializes in acquiring vintage championship ticket stubs and understands the unique value these pieces represent in sports collecting.

Our team of experts can quickly authenticate and evaluate your pre-Super Bowl championship stubs, providing you with a fair market assessment and immediate cash offer. We handle everything from single championship stubs to entire vintage football collections, and we're particularly interested in acquiring rare championship game tickets from any era before 1967.

Don't let valuable championship history sit in storage — contact StubHaul today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your pre-Super Bowl NFL championship ticket stubs. Our streamlined process ensures you receive maximum value for these irreplaceable pieces of football history.