The NFL Conference Championships take place on 31 January 2027, with the AFC and NFC title games determining which two teams advance to Super Bowl LXI. These are the final round of the NFL playoffs before the championship game, and they consistently produce some of the most dramatic and high-stakes football of the entire season.
What are the NFL Conference Championships?
The NFL Conference Championships are the penultimate round of the National Football League’s postseason. Two games are played: the AFC Championship Game and the NFC Championship Game. The winners of each conference earn the right to represent their side in the Super Bowl. Unlike earlier playoff rounds, the Conference Championships are hosted by the higher-seeded remaining team in each conference, guaranteeing a significant home-field advantage.
The Conference Championships carry a weight that few regular-season games can match. For the players, reaching this stage means they are one victory from the Super Bowl. For the losing teams, the defeat is often remembered as the most painful of the season, so close to the ultimate prize yet falling short.
When are the NFL Conference Championships?
The 2026-27 NFL Conference Championships are scheduled for 31 January 2027. The NFC Championship Game typically kicks off in the early afternoon (Eastern Time), with the AFC Championship Game following in the late afternoon or early evening. Exact kick-off times are confirmed by the NFL after the Divisional Round results are finalised.
Where are the NFL Conference Championships?
The Conference Championship games are hosted by the highest remaining seed in each conference. The venues are not predetermined and depend entirely on which teams advance through the Divisional Round. This means the games could be played at any NFL stadium across the United States, with the home team’s venue serving as the host. The atmosphere at Conference Championship games is among the most intense in American sport, with home crowds playing a significant role.
Key Contenders
While the specific matchups will not be known until the conclusion of the Divisional Round, several franchises enter each season as strong contenders for Conference Championship appearances. The Kansas City Chiefs, under Patrick Mahomes, have been perennial AFC contenders in recent years. The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals are also regular fixtures in the AFC’s later rounds. In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Detroit Lions have been among the conference’s strongest sides.
The Conference Championships often feature matchups between the league’s elite quarterbacks, and these games have historically been defined by clutch performances from the game’s biggest stars.
How to Watch the NFL Conference Championships
- United States: The Conference Championship games are broadcast on major networks, typically CBS (AFC) and Fox (NFC), with streaming available on Paramount+ and the NFL app.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports NFL provides live coverage, with free-to-air highlights on ITV.
- Global: NFL Game Pass International offers live streaming in most territories outside the US. DAZN carries NFL coverage in several markets.
History and Records
The Conference Championship format has been in place since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Some of the most iconic moments in NFL history have occurred at this stage, from “The Catch” by Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship Game to the multiple classic encounters between Tom Brady’s New England Patriots and Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts in the AFC.
The New England Patriots hold the record for the most AFC Championship appearances in the modern era, while the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are among the most frequent NFC Championship participants. The Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as the AFC’s dominant force in recent seasons, making multiple consecutive Conference Championship appearances.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the NFL Conference Championships are sold through the NFL’s official ticketing partners and the host team’s box office. Due to the prestige of the occasion, demand far exceeds supply, and tickets sell out almost immediately. Secondary market prices are among the highest of any NFL game outside the Super Bowl. Fans are advised to register with the NFL and their preferred team’s ticketing system well in advance of the playoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the NFL Conference Championships?
They are the two games (AFC and NFC) that determine which teams advance to the Super Bowl. The winners of each conference meet in the Super Bowl two weeks later.
Where are the Conference Championship games played?
Each game is hosted by the higher-seeded remaining team in that conference, so the venues change each year depending on playoff results.
How can I watch the NFL Conference Championships?
In the US, CBS typically broadcasts the AFC game and Fox the NFC game. In the UK, Sky Sports carries live coverage. NFL Game Pass International provides streaming access globally.
When do Conference Championship tickets go on sale?
Tickets are typically released shortly after Divisional Round results are confirmed, through the host team’s official channels and the NFL’s ticketing partners.
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