Roman numerals have long been used to signify which Super Bowl is being played to cap off any given season, and the numbers have only gotten larger through the game’s years. The 2023 season finale is no exception and signifies the latest advancement in the number with Super Bowl LVIII.
What Do the Super Bowl Roman Numerals Mean?
Every Super Bowl has used Roman numerals to signify its uniqueness, dating back to Super Bowl V (5), the first game to use Roman numerals before the first four were retroactively given those designations as well.
The system provides a unique way of designating the games that goes beyond typical numbering.
Just four Roman numerals have been needed to make the numbers for the Super Bowls so far, though others will eventually need to be added as the game approaches its 100th edition. In the Roman numeral system, I is used to represent one, V for five, X for 10, and L for 50, while C is the symbol for 100, which will be added down the line.
This year’s game, Super Bowl LVIII (58), has a fairly straightforward designation. The five letters go in order to add up to the final total.
Roman numerals can get a bit more complex in order than that, however.
For instance, the 49th edition of the Super Bowl was correctly designated as Super Bowl XLIX. No individual Roman numeral is used more than three times in a number, so instead, it works backward with an X before an L to get 40 and an I before X to get nine.
The one exception thus far to the Roman numerals rule is the 50th Super Bowl, which does not use Super Bowl L for its designation as the league apparently could not find a logo version they liked using “L.”
Otherwise, it’s been all Roman numerals since the 1970s and appears poised to remain that way for some time as the league preserves the annual tradition throughout the game’s branding.
MORE: Who Is the Home Team in Super Bowl 58?
This year’s edition, Super Bowl LVIII, will pit the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers against one another in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, which Kansas City won 31-20 as Patrick Mahomes earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award.
Time will tell whether Mahomes and the Chiefs are able to channel some more magic this time around to win the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl and Mahomes’ third after capturing the title last season as well.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!