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AFC Championship Game

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AFC Championship Game
NameAFC Championship Game
SportAmerican football
Founded1970
FounderNational Football League
Inaugural1970
Most champsNew England Patriots (11)
Most appsNew England Patriots (16)
Related compsNFC Championship Game, Super Bowl

AFC Championship Game is the annual championship game of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL), determining the conference's representative in the Super Bowl. First contested in the 1970 NFL season following the AFL–NFL merger, it is one of the two final playoff rounds, alongside the NFC Championship Game. The winner receives the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named for the founder of the American Football League (AFL), and advances to compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

History

The game originated from the AFL–NFL merger agreement, which realigned the league into the American Football Conference and National Football Conference starting with the 1970 NFL season. This created a unified playoff structure culminating in the Super Bowl, replacing the separate AFL Championship Game and NFL Championship Game that had determined the league's champions prior to the merger. Early dominance was shown by franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, with the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills also making frequent appearances in the 1980s and 1990s. The New England Patriots' sustained excellence under coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady beginning in the 2001 NFL season redefined the modern era of the contest, creating a rivalry with the Indianapolis Colts and later the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes.

Game results

Since its inception, the game has been decided by a wide range of scores, including several memorable blowouts and dramatic finishes. Notable results include the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over the Oakland Raiders in the 1974 AFC Championship Game en route to winning Super Bowl IX, and the Buffalo Bills' last-second win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1993 AFC Championship Game known for Scott Norwood's game-winning field goal. The New England Patriots' comeback from a 21–3 deficit against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 AFC Championship Game and their overtime victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2018 AFC Championship Game are among the most iconic contests. The Cincinnati Bengals' upset of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium marked a recent shift in the conference's balance of power.

Appearances by team

The New England Patriots hold the record for most appearances and victories, largely during the tenure of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The Pittsburgh Steelers rank second in both categories, with their dynasty in the 1970s led by Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Noll. Other franchises with multiple appearances include the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders/Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers have also contested the game, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans having fewer appearances. No franchise has appeared in the game representing every city in its franchise history.

Venues

The game is hosted at the stadium of the participating team with the better regular-season record, a format adopted for the 1975 NFL playoffs. Notable venues that have hosted multiple times include Foxboro Stadium and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Mile High Stadium and Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Other significant host sites have been Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Denver Broncos' old stadium, Mile High Stadium, was the site of several classic contests in the 1980s and 1990s.

Trophy and awards

The winning team is awarded the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named in honor of Lamar Hunt, the founder of the American Football League and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. The trophy was first presented following the 1984 AFC Championship Game. Individual players are often recognized for their performance, with a Most Valuable Player award sometimes being given, though it is not an official annual honor like the Super Bowl MVP. The game's outcome also determines which conference's players and coaches will represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl, the league's all-star game.

Media coverage

The game has been broadcast nationally on major television networks since its inception, initially rotating among CBS, NBC, and ABC. Since 1998, CBS has held the exclusive broadcast rights to all AFC playoff games, including this championship. The broadcast typically features the network's lead commentary team, such as Jim Nantz and Tony Romo in recent years. Radio coverage is provided nationally by Westwood One and locally by the flagship radio stations of the participating teams. The event generates significant ratings and is one of the most-watched television programs annually in the United States.

Category:National Football League championships Category:American Football Conference Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1970