The countdown to Super Bowl LVIII is on, and as fans gear up for the big game, there's more to the spectacle than just touchdowns and halftime shows.
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One aspect that often goes overlooked is the color of the jerseys worn by the competing teams-and according to history, it can have a surprising impact on the outcome.
In the colorful history of the Super Bowl, one shade stands out: white.
Throughout all 57 Super Bowls, one team has sported white jerseys while the other donned a different color.
And surprisingly, the team in white has emerged victorious more often than not, sparking speculation about whether there's a deeper significance to this trend.
This year, as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to defend their title against the San Francisco 49ers, jersey color has once again taken center stage.
The Chiefs, designated as the home team, have opted to stick with tradition by donning their signature red home jerseys.
Meanwhile, the 49ers will wear white-a choice that carries with it a statistical anomaly.
Despite the historical success of teams in white jerseys, the Chiefs aren't letting superstition dictate their game plan.
Having clinched victory in Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers, where they wore red, they're confident in their ability to repeat history donning a different color.
Who picks the Super Bowl jersey colors?
The answer lies in the NFL's alternating conference system, where the home team alternates each year between the AFC and NFC.
This tradition gives the home team the privilege of selecting its jerseys, leaving the visiting team to complement with a contrasting color.
Looking beyond superstition, there's a practical element to jersey selection.
Traditionally, home teams in the NFL opt for darker jerseys, while away teams sport white.
However, when it comes to the Super Bowl, the trend is clear: white jerseys tend to prevail.
While the color of the jerseys may seem like a trivial detail, it's just one of the many nuances that make the Super Bowl the spectacle that it is.
Kickoff for Super Bowl LVIII is set for this Sunday, February 11 at 6:30 pm ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
FAQs
The Chiefs will wear their red jerseys, while the 49ers will wear white. Each season, the winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) alternate between which conference representative will be considered the home team in the Super Bowl.
Why is Kansas City considered the home team in the Super Bowl? ›
The answer lies in the NFL's alternating conference system, where the home team alternates each year between the AFC and NFC. This tradition gives the home team the privilege of selecting its jerseys, leaving the visiting team to complement with a contrasting color.
Who wears the home jersey in the Super Bowl 2024? ›
At that point, it was the first Super Bowl with two teams who both wore red. And as the designated home team, Kansas City got to choose its jersey color and stuck with the red tops that got them through the playoffs, as well as their lone Super Bowl win in 1970. Yet again, the Chiefs are the designated home team.
Who is the home team in the Super Bowl 2024? ›
In this year's edition of the Super Bowl, the Chiefs will be the official home team. The Super Bowl's home team rotates every year between the AFC and NFC conferences. Last year, when the Chiefs played the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City was designated as the road team.
What color will the 49ers wear in the Super Bowl 2024? ›
What color jerseys will the 49ers and the Chiefs play in at Super Bowl 2024? This year, the Chiefs are the designated home team and have opted to stick with tradition by sporting their iconic red home jerseys. With Patrick Mahomes and Co donning their traditional colours, it means the 49ers will wear white tops.
Why are the 49ers the away team? ›
Unlike before kickoff, it's not a case of tossing a coin. Rather the choice of hosts alternates between AFC and NFC Champions. To put it simply, the AFC champions are designated the home team in even numbered years while the NFC champions are the home team in odd numbered years.
Why are the Kansas City Chiefs' colors red and gold? ›
The transformation to red and gold was initiated in 1963 when the team planted its roots in Kansas City. Though the exact reasoning behind this change remains somewhat veiled in history, many speculate that Lamar Hunt, the Chiefs' founder, desired a standout and distinctive look for his team.
Who will wear red at the Super Bowl 2024? ›
49ers amid recent run of white jersey Super Bowl domination.
Who is favored to win the Super Bowl in 2024? ›
Super Bowl 59 odds at BetMGM currently price the Kansas City Chiefs as +600 betting favorites. The 49ers, who just won the NFC, are second in the table at +650.
Why are the 49ers called the 49ers? ›
In short: the name is an homage to the California gold rush. According to the team's website, Allen E. Sorrell – a partner alongside team owner Tony Morabito – suggested the name "49ers" after the miners who rushed the West for gold in 1849.
The Chiefs announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that they would be wearing their red jerseys this year. This means the 49ers will be wearing white.
Will Chiefs wear red in Super Bowl? ›
Kansas City Chiefs will wear red jerseys in Super Bowl 58.
Who is home and away in Super Bowl 58? ›
The 49ers wore their white away jerseys with gold pants. As the designated home team, the Chiefs practiced at the host team Las Vegas Raiders' practice facility in Henderson, Nevada, during the week leading up to the game. The 49ers practiced at UNLV's Fertitta Football Complex in Paradise, Nevada.
Where does the home team go on a Super Bowl pool? ›
Does the home team go on the top? Yes, the home team always goes on top. In the Super Bowl, the home team switches from AFC to NFC every year. Odd number Super Bowls are NFC home team, and for even number Super Bowls, the AFC is the home team.
Has there ever been a Super Bowl where both teams are from the same state? ›
It remains the only Super Bowl played between teams that play their home games in the same state (although Super Bowl XXV was played between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills, two teams representing areas of New York, the Giants play their home games in New Jersey).
Is this Kansas City first Super Bowl? ›
As a member of the American Football League (AFL)—which merged with the NFL in 1970—the franchise claimed three league championships (1962, 1966, and 1969). It later won Super Bowls IV (1970), LIV (2020), LVII (2023), and LVIII (2024).
