The Super Bowl is the biggest event in American football, bringing together the NFL’s top two teams for a thrilling showdown. For Super Bowl LIX, happening on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Kansas City Chiefs. But even though the game is played at a neutral site, one team is still called the “home team.” So, who is the home team for Super Bowl LIX? In this article, we’ll explain why the Eagles are the home team, how the NFL picks it, and what it means for the game. We’ll keep it simple for young readers and pack it with fun facts for football fans!
Who Is the Home Team for Super Bowl LIX?
For Super Bowl LIX in 2024/25, the Philadelphia Eagles are the designated home team, while the Kansas City Chiefs are the away team. This is a rematch of Super Bowl LVII in 2023, where the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35, and the Eagles were also the home team.
The NFL decides the home team using a simple rule: it alternates between the NFC (National Football Conference) and AFC (American Football Conference) each year. In odd-numbered Super Bowls (like LIX, the 59th), the NFC team is the home team. In even-numbered Super Bowls (like LVIII last year), the AFC team is the home team. Since the Eagles are from the NFC and the Chiefs are from the AFC, the Eagles get the home team title this time.
For fans who love the team spirit of the Super Bowl, you can create your own group to cheer on your favorite team with a fun name! Check out kickball team names for creative ideas that capture the energy of football fandom. Also, visit Teamnamesed.com for more team-naming tips and sports trivia to make your Super Bowl watch party even more exciting!
How Does the NFL Choose the Home Team?
The NFL has used this alternating system since the first Super Bowl in 1967, when the NFC’s Green Bay Packers were the home team against the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s how it works:
- Odd-Numbered Super Bowls: The NFC champion (like the Eagles in 2025) is the home team.
- Even-Numbered Super Bowls: The AFC champion (like the Chiefs in 2024) is the home team.
- Neutral Site: The Super Bowl is almost always played at a neutral stadium, picked years in advance. For example, New Orleans was chosen for Super Bowl LIX in 2018, long before the teams were known.
The only exceptions were in 2021 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and 2022 (Los Angeles Rams), when the home team played in their own stadium by coincidence, and both won! This year, the Caesars Superdome is home to the New Orleans Saints (an NFC team), but they didn’t make the playoffs, so it’s still a neutral site for the Eagles and Chiefs.
What Does Being the Home Team Mean?
Being the home team in the Super Bowl doesn’t give a big advantage since the game is at a neutral stadium. But it comes with a few small perks:
- Jersey Choice: The home team picks their uniform color. The Eagles chose their midnight green jerseys, so the Chiefs will wear their white away jerseys. Fun fact: Teams in white jerseys have won 37 of 58 Super Bowls, including 16 of the last 20, but the Eagles won in green in 2018
- Practice Facilities: The home team uses the host stadium’s facilities, like the New Orleans Saints’ practice field and locker room for the Eagles. The Chiefs will practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. This might feel more comfortable, but it’s not a game-changer.
- Scoreboard and Promo: The home team’s name appears first on the scoreboard and in promotional materials.
- Coin Toss: The away team (Chiefs) calls the coin toss to decide who gets the ball first. This is a 50/50 chance, so it’s not a big advantage.
These perks don’t usually affect the game’s outcome. In fact, the “away” team has won about 55% of Super Bowls, so the Eagles’ home status isn’t a sure win.
Why Does the NFL Have a Home Team?
Even though the Super Bowl is at a neutral site, the NFL picks a home team for logistical reasons:
- Organization: It helps with things like uniforms, locker rooms, and game-day planning.
- Fan Experience: It adds excitement for fans, who might care about jersey colors or superstitions.
- Tradition: The alternating NFC-AFC system has been around since Super Bowl I, keeping things fair and simple.
Fun Facts About Super Bowl Home Teams
- First Home Team: The Green Bay Packers were the home team in Super Bowl I (1967) and won 35-10 against the Chiefs.
- Home Team Wins: The designated home team has won 24 of 58 Super Bowls (41%), but away teams have dominated recently, winning 13 of the last 20.
- Super Bowl Curse: There’s a myth that the team whose stadium hosts the Super Bowl can’t play in it. This was true until the Buccaneers (2021) and Rams (2022) broke the “curse” by winning at home.
- Eagles’ History: The Eagles were the home team in Super Bowl LVII (2023) and lost to the Chiefs. They won Super Bowl LII (2018) in green jerseys as the away team against the Patriots, who wore white.
Tips for Fans: How to Enjoy Super Bowl LIX
Want to make the most of Super Bowl LIX? Try these:
- Watch the Game: Tune in on February 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX, Telemundo, or streaming platforms like Fubo, FoxSports, or NFL+.
- Follow on Social Media: Check X accounts like @NFL or @Eagles for live updates and highlights.
- Learn More: Visit NFL.com or team sites for player stats, jersey details, and game previews.
- Host a Watch Party: Get your friends together, pick a team, and create a fun group name to cheer like a pro!
Conclusion
The Philadelphia Eagles are the home team for Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 9, 2025, because it’s an odd-numbered Super Bowl, giving the NFC the home designation. They’ll wear their midnight green jerseys and use the Saints’ facilities, while the Chiefs call the coin toss. The home team title is mostly for logistics, with no big impact on the game’s outcome. Whether you’re rooting for the Eagles or Chiefs, Super Bowl LIX promises to be an epic battle!