The Super Bowl isn’t just about football—it’s also the biggest day of the year for advertisers. With millions of people tuning in, brands pay a fortune to air commercials during the big game. But how much does it actually cost to run an ad during the 2025 Super Bowl? Let’s break it down.
How Much Do Super Bowl Commercials Cost in 2025?
This year, advertisers paid close to $8 million on average for a 30-second commercial during Super Bowl LIX. That’s nearly $1 million more than the cost of a Super Bowl ad in 2024, which was around $7 million. According to Peter Bray, an expert in the advertising industry, Super Bowl ad prices have been steadily increasing, and he believes ad sales could reach $1 billion in the next few years.
Super Bowl ads have always been expensive, but the cost has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2019, a 30-second ad cost around $5 million, meaning prices have increased by 55% in just a few years. With the event continuing to grow in viewership, advertisers see it as a valuable opportunity to reach a massive audience.
Why Are Super Bowl Ads So Expensive?
Super Bowl ads are costly because they guarantee exposure to over 120 million viewers. The Super Bowl is one of the only televised events that gathers such a large audience at one time. This makes it a prime opportunity for brands to make a lasting impression.
The Power of Social Media
Social media has also made Super Bowl ads more valuable. Peter Bray explains that with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, brands can now extend the life of their Super Bowl commercials beyond the game itself. A single ad can go viral, reaching millions more online.
How Brands Make the Most of Their Super Bowl Ads
The Role of Celebrities
Big brands often hire famous actors, athletes, and musicians to make their ads more memorable. Depending on their level of fame, celebrities can be paid anywhere from $50,000 to over $2 million for a Super Bowl commercial.
One standout example is Ben Affleck, who reportedly earned $10 million for his role in Dunkin’s 2024 Super Bowl ad. His previous Dunkin’ commercial in 2023 was a huge success, generating 7 billion impressions for the brand. This year, Dunkin’ returned with another star-studded ad featuring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Tom Brady.
Comedy and Emotional Appeal
To capture the audience’s attention, brands often use humor, nostalgia, or emotional storytelling in their ads. Comedy is considered a “safe” approach because it appeals to a broad audience and avoids controversy.
Super Bowl Ad Prices vs. Ticket Prices
Interestingly, while Super Bowl ad prices have gone up, ticket prices have slightly dropped in 2025. The average ticket price for this year’s game is around $7,100, which is 17% lower than in 2024. Experts say this is partly because the Super Bowl is being held at Caesars Superdome, which has a larger seating capacity than last year’s venue in Las Vegas.
Another reason for lower ticket prices is “fan fatigue.” The Kansas City Chiefs have been in five of the last six Super Bowls, and many of their fans have already spent money attending previous games.
The Most Expensive and Cheapest Super Bowl Ads Ever
Super Bowl ads have been around since 1967, and prices have steadily increased. Here’s a look at the most expensive and cheapest Super Bowl commercials in history:
Most Expensive Super Bowl Ad
The most expensive Super Bowl ad ever aired was Amazon’s “Mind Reader” commercial in 2022, featuring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost. The 90-second ad reportedly cost a staggering $26 million to produce.
Cheapest Super Bowl Ad
On the other end of the spectrum, one of the cheapest Super Bowl ads was created by LifeMinders.com in 2000. The company spent less than $5,000 on a 30-second ad made by three freelancers. Despite its low budget, the ad drew 700,000 visitors to the company’s website in the week following the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl commercials continue to be a huge investment for brands, but the exposure they provide makes them worth the cost. With ad prices nearing $8 million for 30 seconds, companies are willing to spend big to grab the attention of millions of viewers. Whether it’s through celebrity endorsements, humor, or emotional storytelling, advertisers use every trick in the book to make their Super Bowl ads stand out. And with social media amplifying their reach, these commercials are more powerful than ever before.
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