Some people (present company included) think the ads are the best part of The Super Bowl. Often times, The Super Bowl is when brands get their most creative – and often riskiest – which has led to some of the most memorable ads of all time. From Apple to Doritos to Budweiser, the best action during the game often happens away from the football field.
With all the glitz, glamour and hype, have you ever wondered: how much does a Super Bowl ad cost? Well wonder no more! The chart below shows what a 30-second spot cost during the big game every year, since the first broadcast in 1967:
| Super Bowl |
Year | Price of 30-second spot |
| I | 1967 | $37,500 |
| II | 1968 | $54,500 |
| III | 1969 | $55,000 |
| IV | 1970 | $78,200 |
| V | 1971 | $72,500 |
| VI | 1972 | $86,100 |
| VII | 1973 | $88,100 |
| VIII | 1974 | $103,500 |
| IX | 1975 | $107,000 |
| X | 1976 | $110,000 |
| XI | 1977 | $125,000 |
| XII | 1978 | $162,300 |
| XIII | 1979 | $185,000 |
| XIV | 1980 | $222,000 |
| XV | 1981 | $275,000 |
| XVI | 1982 | $324,300 |
| XVII | 1983 | $400,000 |
| XVIII | 1984 | $368,200 |
| XIX | 1985 | $525,000 |
| XX | 1986 | $550,000 |
| XXI | 1987 | $600,000 |
| XXII | 1988 | $645,500 |
| XXIII | 1989 | $675,500 |
| XXIV | 1990 | $700,400 |
| XXV | 1991 | $800,000 |
| XXVI | 1992 | $850,000 |
| XXVII | 1993 | $850,000 |
| XXVIII | 1994 | $900,000 |
| XXIX | 1995 | $1,150,000 |
| XXX | 1996 | $1,085,000 |
| XXXI | 1997 | $1,200,000 |
| XXXII | 1998 | $1,291,100 |
| XXXIII | 1999 | $1,600,000 |
| XXXIV | 2000 | $2,100,000 |
| XXXV | 2001 | $2,200,000 |
| XXXVI | 2002 | $2,200,000 |
| XXXVII | 2003 | $2,200,000 |
| XXXVIII | 2004 | $2,302,200 |
| XXXIX | 2005 | $2,400,000 |
| XL | 2006 | $2,500,000 |
| XLI | 2007 | $2,385,365 |
| XLII | 2008 | $2,699,963 |
| XLIII | 2009 | $2,999,960 |
| XLIV | 2010 | $2,954,010 |
| XLV | 2011 | $3,100,000 |
| XLVI | 2012 | $3,500,000 |
| XLVII | 2013 | $3,800,000 |
| XLVIII | 2014 | $4,000,000 |
| XLIX | 2015 | $4,250,000 |
| L | 2016 | $4,500,000 |
| LI | 2017 | $5,000,000 |
| LII | 2018 | $5,200,000 |
| LIII | 2019 | $5,300,000 |
| LIV | 2020 | $5,600,000 |
| LV | 2021 | $5,500,000 |
| LVI | 2022 | $6,500,000 |