What Is the Coldest Game in NFL History?
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Football and cold weather naturally go hand-in-hand, especially in the NFL’s winter months. But even by those standards, the 1967 NFL Championship Game, better known as the Ice Bowl, stands apart. Played on December 31, 1967, this game saw temperatures dip to historic lows and created a contest that remains deeply ingrained in NFL lore.
With wind chills far below what any modern regulation game typically experiences, the Ice Bowl was as much a battle against the elements as it was against the opposing team. The matchup featured the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys and drew nearly 51,000 fans who braved near-polar conditions to witness a classic championship clash.
The Ice Bowl: NFL’s Coldest Game Ever Played
Record-Setting Conditions
The 1967 NFL Championship Game is widely recognized as the coldest game in NFL history. At kickoff, the temperature was -13°F (-25°C), with a wind chill that made it feel like -48°F (-44°C) or colder. These conditions remain unmatched in NFL historical temperature records.
Classic Finish in Icy Conditions
Despite the brutal cold, the Ice Bowl delivered an unforgettable finish. With just 13 seconds left, Packers quarterback Bart Starr scored the winning touchdown on a one-yard sneak, leading Green Bay to a 21–17 victory over Dallas. The dramatic ending cemented the game’s legacy as one of the greatest in NFL history.
Other Notably Cold NFL Games
While the Ice Bowl stands alone at the top, several other NFL games have been played in extremely cold conditions:
1. The “Freezer Bowl” — January 10, 1982
Often mentioned alongside the Ice Bowl, the Freezer Bowl was the 1981 AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers. The air temperature was -9°F (-23°C), but due to strong winds, the wind chill was estimated around -59°F (-50°C), making it one of the coldest games in terms of wind chill ever. The Bengals won 27–7 on their way to Super Bowl XVI.
2. TCF Bank Stadium Wild Card Game — January 10, 2016
In yet another frigid contest, the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Seattle Seahawks in a playoff game where temperatures were -6°F (-21°C) with a wind chill near -25°F (-32°C). Seattle won 10–9 in a defensive battle shaped by the cold conditions.
3. Lambeau Field NFC Championship — January 20, 2008
The Green Bay Packers and New York Giants played in near-arctic conditions, with temperatures hovering around -1°F (~-18°C) and substantial wind chill. The Giants won 23–20 en route to their Super Bowl XLII triumph.
4. Chiefs vs. Dolphins — January 13, 2024
More recently, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins clashed in conditions of -4°F (-20°C) with wind chills approaching -27°F (-33°C). The Chiefs prevailed 26–7, making this one of the coldest games in Arrowhead Stadium history.
Why Extreme Cold Games Matter in NFL History
Cold-weather games like the Ice Bowl have become iconic because they showcase the intense resilience required in professional football. From fans enduring brutal conditions to players adapting their gameplay strategies in sub-zero environments, these contests highlight not just athletic ability but also mental and physical toughness. They also add to the cultural mythology of football as America’s winter sport.
