How Much Is a Super Bowl I Ticket Stub Worth?

The Holy Grail of Football Memorabilia

Super Bowl I, played on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, represents the pinnacle of football ticket stub collecting. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in a game that wasn't even called the "Super Bowl" on the ticket — it was marketed as the "AFL-NFL World Championship Game." This detail alone makes these stubs uniquely fascinating artifacts that capture a pivotal moment when two rival leagues came together to create what would become America's most-watched sporting event.

The historical significance cannot be overstated. This was the first championship game between the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL), marking the beginning of the modern Super Bowl era. Legendary coach Vince Lombardi led the Packers to victory in what many considered a foregone conclusion, with the established NFL expected to dominate the upstart AFL. The game itself may not have been the most competitive Super Bowl, but its place in football history is unmatched.

What Are Super Bowl I Ticket Stubs Worth Today?

Authentic Super Bowl I ticket stubs represent some of the most valuable pieces in all of sports memorabilia collecting. Current market values for authenticated stubs range dramatically based on several key factors:

• Good condition stubs: $8,000-$15,000
• Excellent condition stubs: $15,000-$25,000
• Pristine condition stubs: $25,000-$40,000+
• Full unused tickets: $50,000-$100,000+

These price ranges reflect authenticated examples sold through major auction houses and private sales over the past decade. The Super Bowl I ticket stub market has shown remarkable consistency and growth, with values appreciating steadily as fewer examples surface and more collectors recognize their historical importance.

Ticket Price Tiers and Their Impact on Value

The original Super Bowl I tickets were sold at different price points, and this affects modern collectible values. Reserved seats ranged from $6 to $12, while general admission tickets cost $4. Interestingly, the higher-priced reserved seat stubs don't necessarily command higher prices today — condition and authenticity matter far more than the original ticket price. However, certain seating sections, particularly those closest to the field, can add premium value to already expensive stubs.

The Rarity Factor: Why Super Bowl I Stubs Are So Scarce

Several unique circumstances contribute to the extreme scarcity of Super Bowl I ticket stubs, making them far rarer than tickets from later Super Bowls:

The Attendance Problem

Despite the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum's capacity of over 100,000, only 61,946 fans attended the game. This wasn't due to lack of interest in football, but rather uncertainty about the new championship format, competing entertainment options in Los Angeles, and ticket pricing that seemed high for 1967. The poor attendance meant fewer tickets were actually used and turned into stubs, creating immediate scarcity.

The Lost Broadcast Legacy

Perhaps most remarkably, the complete broadcast of Super Bowl I was lost when both CBS and NBC (who simulcast the game) recorded over their tapes. Only fragments of the broadcast exist today, adding an almost mythical quality to the game. This lost media aspect significantly enhances the value of any surviving physical artifacts, including ticket stubs.

Historical Context and Collecting Awareness

In 1967, sports memorabilia collecting was not the organized hobby it is today. Most fans simply discarded their ticket stubs, never imagining they would become valuable collectibles decades later. Unlike modern Super Bowls where fans actively preserve tickets as keepsakes, Super Bowl I stubs survived mostly by accident — tucked away in books, wallets, or scrapbooks and forgotten until decades later.

Authentication: Protecting Your Investment

Given the extraordinary value of Super Bowl I stubs, authentication is absolutely critical. The high values have inevitably attracted counterfeiters, making professional authentication essential for any transaction involving these tickets.

PSA Authentication Standards

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is widely considered the gold standard for vintage ticket authentication. Their experts examine paper stock, printing techniques, perforations, and other forensic details to verify authenticity. A PSA-authenticated Super Bowl I stub carries significantly more value and marketability than an ungraded example.

Red Flags to Watch For

Common signs of reproduction Super Bowl I tickets include modern paper stock, digital printing artifacts, incorrect fonts, and suspiciously perfect condition. Authentic stubs should show appropriate aging for a 55+ year old paper artifact, including some yellowing, slight brittleness, and period-appropriate wear patterns.

Condition Matters: Grading Your Super Bowl I Stub

The condition of vintage ticket stubs dramatically affects their value, and this is especially true for Super Bowl I examples. Understanding condition grades helps both buyers and sellers navigate the market effectively.

PSA Grading Scale for Tickets

PSA uses a 10-point grading scale for vintage tickets, with key condition factors including:

• Corners and edges: Sharp, uncreased corners command premium prices
• Surface quality: Staining, writing, or other markings reduce value
• Structural integrity: Tears, holes, or separation along perforations hurt grades
• Color retention: Fading is expected but dramatic color loss affects value

Comparing Super Bowl I to Other Historic Football Tickets

While Super Bowl I stubs reign supreme in football collecting, several other historic games also command significant values. The Ice Bowl ticket stub from the same 1967 season represents another pinnacle of football collecting, with the frozen NFL Championship Game between Green Bay and Dallas capturing similar collector interest.

Championship tickets from successful dynasties also hold substantial value. Pittsburgh Steelers 1970s dynasty ticket stubs and New England Patriots dynasty ticket stubs represent more accessible entry points into football memorabilia collecting while still offering solid investment potential.

Storage and Preservation Tips

If you discover a Super Bowl I ticket stub, proper storage becomes crucial to maintaining its value. Vintage paper artifacts require specific care to prevent further deterioration.

Immediate Steps

Handle the stub as little as possible and only with clean hands or cotton gloves. Store it flat in acid-free materials away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Avoid lamination or any permanent preservation attempts that might reduce collectible value.

Professional Conservation

For high-value items like Super Bowl I stubs, professional conservation may be worthwhile. However, any restoration work should be disclosed to potential buyers and may affect authentication grades.

The Modern Super Bowl Ticket Market Context

Understanding how Super Bowl I stubs fit into the broader football memorabilia market provides important context. While classic Monday Night Football ticket stubs might be more accessible to average collectors, Super Bowl I represents the absolute pinnacle of the hobby.

The ticket stub collecting market has evolved significantly with online auctions and authentication services making it easier for collectors to buy and sell with confidence. However, Super Bowl I stubs remain in a class by themselves, often requiring private transactions through specialized dealers or major auction houses.

Investment Potential and Market Trends

Super Bowl I ticket stubs have demonstrated remarkable investment performance over the past two decades. As the NFL has grown into America's most popular sport and the Super Bowl has become a cultural phenomenon, interest in the first game continues to appreciate.

Market trends suggest that authenticated, high-grade examples will continue to appreciate as they become increasingly scarce. The combination of NFL popularity, historical significance, and genuine rarity creates a compelling investment case for those fortunate enough to own these artifacts.

Ready to Sell Your Super Bowl I Ticket Stub?

If you believe you have a Super Bowl I ticket stub, you're potentially holding one of the most valuable pieces of sports memorabilia in existence. StubHaul specializes in evaluating and purchasing high-value vintage ticket stubs, and we treat Super Bowl I inquiries with the utmost care and confidentiality.

Our team of experts understands the nuances of vintage football ticket authentication and current market values. We work directly with professional authentication services and maintain relationships with serious collectors who appreciate these historic artifacts. Whether you've discovered a stub in a family collection or have been holding onto one for decades, we can provide a professional evaluation and competitive cash offer.

Don't let uncertainty keep you from exploring the value of your potential treasure. Contact StubHaul today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your Super Bowl I ticket stub. Our discrete and professional approach ensures your privacy while maximizing your return on these extraordinary pieces of football history.